1. Legal Regulations on Coffee Export
Pursuant to Circular No. 04/2014/TT-BTC dated January 27, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, coffee is not included in the list of goods prohibited or restricted from export. In addition, coffee is not subject to export licensing requirements. Therefore, enterprises may export coffee to other countries under normal conditions.
Circular No. 75/2009/TT-BNNPTNT stipulates national standards on food hygiene and safety conditions for agricultural production activities.
2. HS Code for Coffee
Coffee falls under Chapter 9: Coffee, Tea, Maté (Paraguay tea), and Spices.
| HS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0901 | Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion |
– Unroasted coffee:
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090111 – – Not decaffeinated:
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09011110 – – – Arabica WIB or Robusta OIB
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09011190 – – – Other
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090112 – – Decaffeinated:
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09011210 – – – Arabica WIB or Robusta OIB
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09011290 – – – Other
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– Roasted coffee:
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090121 – – Not decaffeinated:
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09012110 – – – Not ground
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09012120 – – – Ground
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090122 – – Decaffeinated:
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09012210 – – – Not ground
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09012220 – – – Ground
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– Other:
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09019010 – – Coffee husks and skins
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09019020 – – Coffee substitutes containing coffee
3. Customs Documents for Coffee Export
The customs dossier for exporting coffee includes the following documents:
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Export customs declaration
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Input documents for goods (purchase invoices, procurement lists)
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Commercial Invoice
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Sales Contract (if any)
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Bill of Lading
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Packing List
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Phytosanitary Certificate
Additional documents may be required at the request of the importer:
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Certificate of Origin (C/O)
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Health Certificate (HC)
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Certificates related to food requirements of the importing country, such as FDA (USA), CE (Europe), Halal, etc.
4. Notes When Carrying Out Coffee Export Procedures
4.1 Packaging Specifications for Export Coffee
For Vietnamese coffee products to reach international markets, coffee packaging must be carefully sealed and clearly labeled with full information such as product name, origin, expiration date, and other required details.
Before packaging, coffee products must undergo strict quality and moisture inspections to ensure compliance with standards. Roasted and ground coffee is usually packed in 30 kg bags, while green coffee beans are commonly packed in 60 kg bags.
Containers commonly used for coffee exports:
Currently, green coffee beans are mostly loaded into 20-foot containers, with an average weight of around 19 tons per container. Instant coffee products packed in boxes are more cost-effective when shipped in 40-foot containers.
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20-foot container: Length 6.060 m; Width 2.440 m; Height 2.590 m
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40-foot container: Length 12.190 m; Width 2.440 m; Height 2.590 m
Coffee Storage During Export
One issue often overlooked in coffee export packaging is proper storage. Due to long transit times and unfavorable weather conditions, coffee may be damaged or develop mold before reaching the end user.
Therefore, enterprises should ensure:
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Packaging is completely sealed, preventing air from entering
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Containers are dry and maintained at suitable temperatures
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Moisture-absorbing materials are used to minimize humidity inside containers
4.2 Certificate of Origin (C/O)
The Certificate of Origin is not mandatory for customs clearance. However, importers may request it for shipments to countries that have trade agreements with Vietnam in order to benefit from preferential import tariffs.
For example:
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ASEAN markets: Form D
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China: Form E
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United States: Form B
Documents required to apply for a C/O include:
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Bill of Lading, Invoice, Packing List, export customs declaration
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Production norms and manufacturing process
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Raw material inputs (import declarations, material purchase invoices, procurement lists, etc.)
4.3 Phytosanitary Inspection Procedures for Coffee Export
Two to three days prior to shipment, enterprises must register for phytosanitary inspection of the export coffee consignment with the phytosanitary authority.
Documents required for phytosanitary registration include:
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Application form for phytosanitary inspection (as prescribed)
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Packing List
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Power of attorney for inspection procedures (if any)
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Samples of the export coffee shipment
Phytosanitary inspection process:
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Registration: The exporter submits the phytosanitary registration dossier to the phytosanitary authority and declares online via the National Single Window Portal.
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Sampling: Registration should be completed at least 1–2 days before delivering goods to the port. Samples may be taken at the port or at the factory.
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Information declaration: Shipment details are declared on the system to issue a draft certificate.
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Document completion and certificate issuance: After reviewing and confirming or correcting the draft certificate, the exporter supplements the dossier and receives the original certificate.
Note: For the first inspection, the phytosanitary authority may conduct inspection at the production facility or at the port. Subsequent inspections may be carried out at the phytosanitary sub-department, depending on the exporter’s preference.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope it helps you gain a clearer understanding of coffee export procedures. If you encounter difficulties or issues during import–export procedures, you may choose K PLUS as your trusted partner. Our company has a team of experienced, honest, and dedicated staff who prioritize customers’ interests. We are committed to closely monitoring each shipment and ensuring goods are delivered safely, quickly, and at the most reasonable cost. Please contact us anytime you need to experience our best-quality services.
Contact Us
📞 0987 042 291 (Mr. Đạt)
📧 joe.hua@hcm.kplus-gp.com
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