How to Import Coffee to the USA: Complete FDA & CBP Guide for Roasters [2026]
- caffepremium
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Caffé Premium
You found a stunning lot. An Indian Robusta from the Western Ghats with the body your espresso blend has been missing. A natural Ethiopian from Yirgacheffe that cupped at 87 points. A Vietnamese Robusta priced perfectly for your cold brew concentrate line.
If you've never imported green coffee into the United States before — or if you have, but you've been winging it — this guide is for you. We'll walk through every agency, every form, every deadline, and every compliance obligation that stands between your origin coffee and your roastery.
At Caffé Premium, we act as your Importer of Record (IOR) and provide FSVP guidance through InGain LLC, our FSPCA-certified operating entity. This guide reflects what we do for our customers every day.
Who Regulates Coffee Imports into the USA?
Three federal agencies have jurisdiction over imported coffee. Understanding who does what prevents costly mistakes.
· U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — Controls the physical and administrative entry of all goods into the United States. CBP enforces trade laws, collects duties and fees, and processes your entry documentation. Every coffee shipment passes through CBP.
· The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Regulates coffee as a food product under FSMA. Ensures your coffee is safe for human consumption, free from harmful contaminants, and properly documented at the supplier level.
· The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Enters the picture primarily for organic-certified coffee. For conventional green coffee, USDA involvement is minimal.
Step 1: Classify Your Coffee Correctly (HTS Codes)
Before anything else, you need the right Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code. This determines your duty rate and how CBP processes your entry.
Product | HTS Code | Import Duty |
Green coffee, not decaffeinated | 0901.11.0000 | 0% |
Green coffee, decaffeinated | 0901.12.0000 | 0% |
Roasted coffee, not decaffeinated | 0901.21.0015 | 0% |
Roasted coffee, decaffeinated | 0901.22.0000 | 0% |
The good news: Green coffee carries a 0% import duty regardless of origin — India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Burundi, or anywhere else.
Step 2: Ensure Your Supplier Is FDA-Registered
Under FSMA, every foreign facility that packs or holds food for US consumption must be registered with the FDA. Your green coffee supplier must have an active FDA facility registration. If not, CBP and FDA can detain, refuse, or return your shipment.
· Request FDA registration confirmation before placing your first order.
· Confirm the registration is current (renewed every two years, in even-numbered years).
· Keep this documentation in your records.
Step 3: File Prior Notice with the FDA
The FDA requires Prior Notice for every commercial food shipment entering the United States — including green coffee.
Mode of Transport | Prior Notice Deadline |
Ocean vessel | At least 8 hours before arrival |
Air freight | At least 4 hours before arrival |
Rail | At least 8 hours before arrival |
Truck (road) | At least 2 hours before arrival |
Step 4: File the Importer Security Filing (ISF) — Ocean Shipments Only
Critical deadline: ISF must be filed no later than 24 hours before the vessel departs the last foreign port. Late filings can result in fines of up to $5,000 per violation.
Step 5: Understand the CBP Entry Process
For shipments valued over $2,500, a formal entry is required: CBP Entry Form, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, Certificate of Origin, and any relevant certificates. A customs bond is mandatory for formal entries.
Step 6: Comply with FSVP — The Requirement Most Roasters Miss
This is where most importers get into trouble. FSVP is complex enough to warrant its own dedicated guide:
The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), under 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart L, requires that any US importer of food verify that their foreign suppliers are producing food consistent with US safety standards. If you are the US owner or consignee of an imported shipment — you are the FSVP importer. This cannot be delegated away.
· Hazard Analysis: Evaluate biological, chemical, and physical hazards for each supplier. Document everything in writing.
· Supplier Evaluation: Evaluate your supplier's food safety performance and risk posed by their coffee.
· Supplier Verification Activities: Ongoing verification — onsite audits, sampling/testing, or certification reviews.
· Corrective Actions: If a verification reveals a problem, take prompt documented corrective action.
· FSVP Records: Maintain all documentation for at least two years, available to FDA within 24 hours.
· DUNS Number (since July 2022): Your supplier's DUNS number must appear in your CBP entry filing.
Important: The FSVP importer and the Importer of Record are NOT the same entity. A customs broker clearing your goods does NOT assume your FSVP obligations. You do.
Step 7: Obtain a Certificate of Origin (ICO)
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) requires a Certificate of Origin for all commercial coffee exports. Your supplier handles this at origin. Make it a standard requirement in your purchase agreement.
Step 8: Arrange Logistics and Insurance
Green coffee typically ships in jute or GrainPro bags (60 kg per bag) or supersacks (500–1,000 kg). We offer starting from 1 pallet — approximately 1,200–1,500 kg — so you can validate a lot before committing to a full container. Cargo insurance is strongly recommended.
Common Mistakes First-Time Importers Make
· Skipping FSVP because you used a broker — your customs broker does not cover your FSVP obligations.
· Not verifying FDA supplier registration before ordering.
· Missing the ISF deadline — it must be filed before the vessel departs the last foreign port.
· No hazard analysis on file — "We trust our supplier" is not a compliant answer during an FDA audit.
· Ignoring the DUNS number requirement — triggers FDA flags since July 2022.
How Caffé Premium Makes This Simpler
For roasters and brands who want to source direct-from-origin coffee without building an in-house compliance infrastructure, working with an Importer of Record (IOR) is the most practical path.
· Caffé Premium Files all CBP entry documentation (ISF, entry forms, customs bonds).
· Caffé Premium Submits FDA Prior Notice for every shipment.
· Caffé Premium Sources from FDA-registered, DUNS-verified suppliers in India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Burundi.
· Caffé Premium Provides FSVP guidance through InGain LLC, our FSPCA-certified operating entity.
Start from just 1 pallet. No long-term volume commitments. No opaque pricing.
Your Coffee Import Compliance Checklist
· ☐ Correct HTS code identified (0901.11.0000 for green non-decaf)
· ☐ Supplier has active FDA facility registration
· ☐ Supplier DUNS number obtained and documented
· ☐ FSVP hazard analysis completed
· ☐ FSVP verification plan established
· ☐ Certificate of Origin confirmed with supplier
· ☐ IOR engaged and customs bond in place
· ☐ ISF filed before vessel departure
· ☐ FDA Prior Notice filed
· ☐ Cargo insurance arranged
Ready to Import — Without the Compliance Headache?
Start with a sample. Scale at your pace. Import with confidence.
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