Colombia is one of the top producers of high-quality Arabica coffee beans, especially in the Eje Cafetero, a geographical and cultural region that comprises the departments (states) of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, as well as the regions of northwestern Tolima, northern and eastern Valle del Cauca, and southwestern Antioquia.
1) Finding a Qualified Supplier
There are many artisanal coffee farmers in Colombia producing excellent and unique coffee varieties. The challenge is finding a coffee supplier with the required certifications to export to the U.S., with the most important being the FDA Food Facility Number. You will not be able to import roasted or green coffee without your supplier’s FDA facility number. They must also hold the required export licenses and certifications from Colombia for exporting coffee to the U.S.
2) Registering as an Importer with CBP and FDA
You must register as an importer with the U.S. CBP and the FDA to import coffee for commercial purposes into the U.S. We can register you as an importer on your behalf through a power of attorney form. We can also assist you with purchasing a continuous entry bond if you plan on importing coffee more than once per year.
3) FDA Prior Notice Filing
The FDA and USDA (for green coffee) require a prior notice of imported foods to be filed electronically before your coffee departs from its country of origin. We can file this filing on your behalf with your business’ DUNS number.
4) Arrange for Air or Ocean Shipping
We can arrange an end-to-end air or ocean freight for your coffee cargo from Colombia to your door in the U.S. Whether you’re shipping one pallet or a full container load, we’ve got you covered.
5) Clearing U.S. Custom Duties
Upon arrival in the U.S., you must pay customs duties on the commercial value of your coffee cargo. You must also present the packing list, commercial invoice, and certificate of origin for CBP processing.
Contact Us
We specialize in assisting first-time shippers and established companies with coffee import and shipping services from Colombia to the U.S. We’re committed to helping your coffee business dream become a reality. Please feel free to contact us to get started.