The True Cost of Importing Coffee: Duties, Customs, Freight, and What No One Tells You
By Caffé Premium
The price on your green coffee quote is not the price you'll pay.
Every first-time importer learns this lesson at some point, usually when the freight invoice arrives and the total is 25–40% higher than the FOB price they agreed. Ocean freight, customs broker fees, ISF filing, customs bond, port charges, cargo insurance, and FSVP program costs all sit between the farm-gate price and the moment your coffee arrives at your roastery.
None of this is hidden, exactly but it's rarely laid out in one place. This guide gives you the complete picture: every cost component, realistic ranges, worked examples, and the costs that consistently catch importers off-guard.
Caffé Premium offers two purchasing options: CIF+IOR (we arrange freight and insurance to your US destination and act as Importer of Record through InGain LLC) or FOB at origin port (you arrange your own freight, insurance, and US customs from there). Under both options, the US buyer is the FSVP importer - InGain LLC provides FSVP guidance as part of the CIF+IOR service.
How Caffé Premium's Two Purchasing Options Work
Before getting into the cost components, it's important to understand the two ways you can buy from Caffé Premium because they determine which costs you pay directly and which are handled for you.
Option 1. CIF + IOR (most buyers choose this): Caffé Premium arranges ocean freight and cargo insurance from the origin port to your nominated US destination port. InGain LLC acts as the Importer of Record (IOR) - handling ISF filing, CBP entry, customs bond, and all communication with US Customs and Border Protection. Your coffee arrives customs-cleared. You pay Caffé Premium's all-in CIF+IOR price. FSVP guidance is included.
Option 2. FOB at origin port: Caffé Premium delivers the coffee to the export port in the origin country (India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, or Burundi). Your responsibility begins from that point: you arrange your own freight forwarder, cargo insurance, US customs broker, and Importer of Record. InGain LLC is not the IOR in this scenario. FOB pricing is typically lower, but you bear all downstream logistics costs and compliance obligations.
Important on FSVP under both options: Regardless of whether you purchase CIF+IOR or FOB, you as the US buyer are always the FSVP importer. The FSVP importer is the US owner or consignee of the imported food- this cannot be transferred to Caffé Premium. Under the CIF+IOR option, InGain LLC provides FSVP guidance to help you meet your obligations. Under FOB, you manage your FSVP program independently.
For a full explanation of FSVP obligations:
For the complete CBP entry and import process: How to Import Coffee to the USA: Complete FDA & CBP Guide →
Cost Component 1: Import Duties — The Good News
Green coffee carries a 0% import duty into the United States.
Under HTS code 0901.11.0000 (green coffee, not decaffeinated), there is no US import tariff regardless of origin - India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Burundi, or anywhere else. Two small federal fees do apply:
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of declared cargo value. Minimum $31.67, maximum $614.35.
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of cargo value. Ocean shipments only.
Both fees are modest, predictable, and capped. For a $5,000 shipment: MPF ~$17, HMF ~$6.
Cost Component 2: Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is typically the largest variable cost in your landed cost calculation.
LCL (Less than Container Load): Your shipment shares a container. You pay per cubic meter (CBM). Cost-effective for 1–10 pallets.
FCL (Full Container Load): You pay for the entire container. Makes financial sense when you have volume to fill or nearly fill a 20ft or 40ft container.
Realistic freight ranges (2025–2026)
Route | LCL (per CBM) | FCL 20ft | FCL 40ft |
Vietnam → US West Coast | $180–$320 | $2,800–$4,500 | $4,500–$7,500 |
Vietnam → US East Coast | $220–$380 | $3,500–$5,500 | $5,500–$9,000 |
India → US East Coast | $200–$350 | $3,200–$5,000 | $5,000–$8,500 |
Ethiopia → US East Coast | $250–$420 | $3,800–$6,000 | $6,000–$10,000 |
Burundi → US East Coast | $280–$450 | $4,000–$6,500 | $6,500–$11,000 |
These are base rates only. Fuel adjustment, peak-season, and port congestion surcharges add 15–35% on top. Always request an all-in quote.
LCL example - 1 pallet
Dimensions: approx. 120 × 100 × 140 cm = 1.68 CBM
LCL rate: $250/CBM (example, Vietnam → US East Coast)
Base freight: $250 × 1.68 = $420
Surcharges (est. 25%): $105
Origin terminal + export docs: $120–$180
Total ocean freight: approximately $645–$705 | Per kg: ~$0.54–$0.59
Cost Component 3: Customs Broker Fees (FOB buyers only)
Under Caffé Premium's CIF+IOR option, CBP-side compliance is handled by InGain LLC - ISF filing, entry documentation, customs bond, and Prior Notice. No separate customs broker is needed.
Under the FOB option, you need to engage your own licensed US customs broker. Typical fees:
Fee Component | Typical Range | Notes |
Entry filing fee | $75–$200 | Per shipment |
ISF filing fee | $25–$75 | Ocean only; required 24h before vessel departure |
ABI/ACE transmission fee | $10–$30 | System filing charge |
Document handling | $25–$75 | Reviewing COA, ICO cert, phytosanitary docs |
FDA Prior Notice filing | $20–$50 | Sometimes included in entry fee |
Miscellaneous admin | $30–$80 | Varies by broker |
Total per shipment | $185–$510 | Standard LCL shipment |
Cost Component 4: Customs Bond (FOB buyers only)
A customs bond is required for any formal entry (shipments over $2,500). Under CIF+IOR, InGain LLC holds the bond. Under FOB, you need your own.
Single-entry bond: 0.50–0.75% of shipment value, minimum ~$100. For a $5,000 shipment: ~$50–$75.
Continuous bond (annual): $300–$600/year. More cost-effective if you import 4+ shipments per year.
Cost Component 5: Port and Terminal Fees
Destination terminal handling (FCL): $150–$350 per container. Included in LCL rates.
Drayage (port to warehouse): $200–$1,200+ depending on distance.
CFS handling (LCL): $35–$80 per CBM or $50–$150 per pallet at the Container Freight Station.
Customs examination: $200–$1,000+ if CBP selects your shipment for physical inspection. Unpredictable - good compliance records reduce frequency.
Cost Component 6: Cargo Insurance
Not legally required but strongly recommended. Marine cargo insurance for green coffee: 0.35–0.65% of declared cargo value. Under Caffé Premium's CIF+IOR option, insurance is included. Under FOB, you arrange your own. GrainPro-lined bags recommended for moisture-sensitive specialty lots.
Cost Component 7: FSVP Program Costs
Whether you buy CIF+IOR or FOB from Caffé Premium, you are always the FSVP importer as the US buyer. Building and maintaining a compliant FSVP program has real costs:
Program setup (one-time): Writing FSVP procedures, conducting hazard analyses, establishing supplier files. Internal time only if done in-house; $500–$5,000 if using a compliance consultant.
Annual maintenance: Ongoing supplier re-evaluations, verification activities, records management. Time cost plus any lab testing.
Lab testing (OTA, pesticides, moisture): $80–$350 per test per lot.
Supplier audits (when required): $1,500–$5,000 per audit including travel, or $500–$2,000 for third-party audit reports.
Per-kg amortized (5–10 MT/year importer): Approximately $0.05–$0.20/kg.
Under Caffé Premium's CIF+IOR service, InGain LLC provides FSVP guidance - helping you understand your obligations, interpret your COAs, and structure your hazard analysis. InGain LLC does not assume your FSVP legal responsibility, which always rests with you as the US buyer.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Demurrage and detention: $100–$400/day demurrage after free time at port (typically 3–5 days). $75–$250/day chassis detention. A week's delay on an FCL can cost $2,000–$5,000. Prevention: engage drayage before vessel arrival and respond immediately to any CBP/FDA communication.
FDA holds: If the FDA flags your shipment- FSVP non-compliance, unregistered supplier, Prior Notice discrepancy, you face storage fees at port, re-examination fees, and potential return freight costs. Under CIF+IOR, InGain LLC's pre-verified supplier network significantly reduces this risk.
Quality re-testing on arrival: Even with origin COA, re-cupping and moisture verification on arrival is recommended. Budget $100–$400 per lot.
Currency risk: Green coffee is priced in USD globally, insulating most US buyers from direct FX exposure. If negotiating in local currency (rare), monitor FX movements between contract and payment.
Putting It Together: Worked Landed Cost Examples
The following examples show realistic total landed costs. CIF+IOR example shows Caffé Premium's all-in service cost. FOB example shows what a buyer self-managing logistics would pay.
Example 1: 1 pallet Vietnamese Robusta Grade 1 — CIF+IOR via Caffé Premium (Vietnam → US East Coast)
Cost Component | Amount | Per kg |
Green coffee FOB (1,200 kg @ $5.00/kg) | $6,000 | $5.00 |
Caffé Premium CIF+IOR service fee (freight + insurance + IOR + FSVP guidance) | $990 | $0.83 |
US port handling + drayage to roastery (buyer arranges) | $280 | $0.23 |
MPF + HMF | $28 | $0.02 |
TOTAL LANDED COST (CIF+IOR) | $7,298 | $6.08 |
Under CIF+IOR: no customs broker, no separate bond, no freight forwarder needed. All CBP compliance handled by InGain LLC.
Example 2: 1 pallet Vietnamese Robusta Grade 1 — FOB, buyer self-manages (Vietnam → US East Coast)
Cost Component | Amount | Per kg |
Green coffee FOB (1,200 kg @ $5.00/kg) | $6,000 | $5.00 |
Ocean freight LCL + surcharges | $650 | $0.54 |
Cargo insurance (0.5% CIF) | $33 | $0.03 |
Customs broker fees | $380 | $0.32 |
Customs bond (single-entry) | $65 | $0.05 |
MPF + HMF | $28 | $0.02 |
CFS handling + drayage | $420 | $0.35 |
TOTAL LANDED COST (FOB self-managed) | $7,576 | $6.31 |
FOB self-managed costs more per kilogram at small volumes because fixed logistics costs (broker, bond, CFS) amortize poorly over 1,200 kg. At FCL scale, the gap narrows significantly.
Example 3: 1 FCL (20ft) Indian Robusta Plantation AA — CIF+IOR via Caffé Premium (India → US East Coast)
Cost Component | Amount | Per kg |
Cost Component | Amount | Per kg |
Green coffee FOB (20,000 kg @ $5.40/kg) | $108,000 | $5.40 |
Caffé Premium CIF+IOR service fee | $6,200 | $0.31 |
US terminal handling + drayage (buyer arranges) | $680 | $0.03 |
MPF (0.3464% of $108,000) | $374 | $0.02 |
How to Calculate Your Own Landed Cost
For CIF+IOR buyers: Caffé Premium provides an all-in CIF+IOR price per kilogram. Your only additional costs are US drayage to your roastery and MPF/HMF fees. No surprises.
For FOB buyers, use this formula:
Landed Cost/kg = FOB price + (freight ÷ kg) + (insurance ÷ kg) + (broker fees ÷ kg) + (bond ÷ kg) + (port/drayage ÷ kg) + (MPF+HMF ÷ kg) + (FSVP programme costs ÷ kg)
For context on quality grades and their impact on FOB pricing:
Why Caffé Premium's Pricing Is Transparent
When you request a quote, you receive:
✓ FOB price per kilogram for the specific lot and grade
✓ All-in CIF+IOR price per kilogram (if using our full-service option)
✓ Estimated drayage cost to your location
✓ Full COA documentation before order confirmation
✓ Itemized breakdown on request - nothing bundled or hidden
There are no surprise invoices. The costs in this guide are the costs you will see.
Get a Transparent Import Quote
Know your true landed cost before you commit.
Related Reading
Caffé Premium is a brand of InGain LLC, a Wyoming-registered coffee importer and Importer of Record (IOR) with FSPCA-certified compliance capability. This article is for informational purposes only.
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