How to Import Coffee to the USA: A B2B Buyer's Guide

To import coffee to the USA you must satisfy three agencies: the FDA for food safety, the USDA for plant rules, and CBP for customs. Coffee needs no special import license, but food-safety and customs compliance is where most shipments stall.

Miss FDA prior notice or your supplier-verification duty and your container can be held at the port. VALO Vietnam connects international buyers directly with verified Vietnamese coffee suppliers, with no middleman.

This guide covers the agency requirements, the FSVP, documents, HS codes, shipping, and duties, then how to source. A clear FAQ closes the article. Rules change often, so confirm current requirements before every shipment.

US food-import rules and duty rates change, and enforcement varies by product and origin. Treat everything below as general guidance, not legal or customs advice. Confirm current FDA, USDA, and CBP requirements and current duty rates for your product and origin before importing.

Key Takeaways

• Coffee needs no special import license, but you must comply with FDA, USDA, and CBP requirements.
• FDA rules include food facility registration, prior notice, and the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).
• CBP entry needs a customs bond, an Importer Security Filing, and a full document set; coffee sits under HS heading 0901.
• Green coffee duties are typically low, but origin-specific surcharges can apply, so confirm current rates.
• VALO Vietnam connects buyers directly with verified Vietnamese coffee suppliers, with no fees and no middleman.

The Three Agencies You Must Satisfy

Coffee import compliance runs through three US agencies. Handle all three before your first shipment.

FDA: Food Safety

• Register the foreign food facility with the FDA before the first shipment.
• File Prior Notice for each shipment before it arrives.
• Comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP): verify your supplier meets US food-safety standards and keep the records.
• Meet labelling rules and permissible contaminant limits.

USDA: Plant Rules

• Coffee is a plant product, so depending on origin and processing a USDA import permit and a phytosanitary certificate may apply.
• Organic coffee requires USDA organic certification.

CBP: Customs

• A customs bond for shipments above a set value.
• An Importer Security Filing (ISF) before the vessel departs.
• A CBP entry on arrival, usually filed by a licensed customs broker.

Documents You Will Need

• Commercial invoice and packing list.
• Bill of lading or air waybill.
• Certificate of origin, plus the ICO Country of Origin Certificate where required.
• FDA prior notice confirmation.
• Phytosanitary certificate, often required.
• Customs bond.
• FSVP supplier-verification records.

Even small discrepancies between documents cause delays, so keep pricing, quantities, and classifications consistent across every form.

HS Codes and How Classification Affects Duty

Coffee falls under Harmonized System heading 0901. The exact subheading depends on whether the beans are roasted and whether they are decaffeinated.

• 0901.11: green (unroasted), not decaffeinated.
• 0901.21: roasted, not decaffeinated.
• Decaffeinated and husk or substitute variants sit elsewhere under 0901.

Classification decides your duty rate, so confirm the exact code with your customs broker. Our guide to duties vs tariffs and to import tax explains the basics.

Duties and Total Cost

Green coffee beans typically attract low or zero most-favoured-nation duty, while roasted, flavoured, or instant coffee can carry higher rates. Origin-specific surcharges on goods from particular countries have applied at various points, so review current import tax from Vietnam to the US before you contract.

Beyond duty, build freight, the customs bond, broker fees, insurance, and warehousing into a complete landed cost so your pricing holds.

Shipping and Keeping Coffee Fresh

Most coffee moves by ocean freight. The main risk in transit is moisture, which causes mould and flavour loss on long voyages.

• Use moisture-barrier liners such as GrainPro inside the bags.
• Work with a freight forwarders partner experienced with food cargo.
• Plan around known shipping delays such as Tet and peak season.

For route and cost detail, see our guide to shipping from Vietnam to the US.

Sourcing Coffee From Vietnam

Vietnam is the world's largest robusta producer and a major coffee exporter, which makes it a strong origin for blends, espresso bases, and instant coffee, with some specialty arabica from the Da Lat highlands. See our guide to Vietnam coffee export for the market picture.

Vetting a Coffee Supplier

• Confirm export experience and the ability to provide food-safety documentation.
• Request samples and assess bean grade, moisture, aroma, and defect count.
• Check ethical and quality certifications such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and organic.
• Consider third-party supplier audit services before loading.

How VALO Vietnam Helps You Source Coffee

VALO Vietnam is a B2B sourcing and supplier-discovery platform. It connects international buyers directly with verified Vietnamese coffee suppliers. VALO does not act as a middleman, does not sit between you and the supplier, and charges buyers no fees.

What You Can Do on the Platform

• Search verified coffee suppliers and exporters.
• Compare suppliers on grade, capacity, and certifications.
• Request quotes directly through the platform's RFQ system.
• Deal with the supplier directly, with no agent and no markup.

You keep control of the relationship, and the compliance responsibility, at every step.

Import Smart: Verify Compliance Before Every Shipment

Importing coffee to the USA rewards buyers who treat compliance as step one. Register with the FDA, verify your supplier under the FSVP, prepare the documents, and confirm your HS classification before the beans ship.

Vietnam offers scale, competitive pricing, and strong robusta supply for the US market. Verify each supplier, approve samples, and build a complete landed cost before you contract.

Rules and duties change often, so confirm current FDA, USDA, and CBP requirements for every shipment rather than relying on last season's process.

Ready to source Vietnamese coffee? VALO Vietnam connects international buyers with verified Vietnamese suppliers, with no agent fees. Explore sourcing from Vietnam to get started.

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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to import coffee to the USA?

No specific license is required just to import coffee. You must, however, comply with FDA, USDA, and CBP rules, including facility registration, prior notice, and supplier verification. That compliance effectively acts as your permission to import.

What FDA rules apply to importing coffee?

Register the foreign food facility with the FDA, file prior notice for each shipment, and comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program. Labelling and contaminant limits also apply. Confirm current FDA requirements before importing.

What is the FSVP?

The Foreign Supplier Verification Program requires US importers to verify that their foreign suppliers produce food to US safety standards, and to keep records of that verification. It is a core FDA requirement for imported food.

What documents do I need to import coffee?

A commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, FDA prior notice confirmation, phytosanitary certificate, customs bond, and FSVP records. A customs broker can assemble and file these.

What is the HS code for coffee?

Coffee sits under HS heading 0901, with 0901.11 for green (unroasted) and 0901.21 for roasted, plus decaffeinated variants. Classification drives your duty rate, so confirm the exact code with your broker.

Are there duties on coffee from Vietnam?

Green coffee generally attracts low or zero most-favoured-nation duty, though roasted or processed coffee can be higher and origin-specific surcharges can apply. Confirm current rates for your product and origin before contracting.