I want to start my coffee brand

[Ebert989]

Maybe this will help...

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Import-Green-Coffee-From-Origin-Countries&id=2872564

How to Import Green Coffee From Origin Countries

By Steve Josephs


Importing starts with green coffee that is completely processed and ready for export from the origin country. Typically, shipped in 20 foot containers of 275 to 320 bags (70kb or 60kg) or less. It could also be loaded bulk, therefore enabling more beans to be shipped, lowering the shipping costs on a per pound/kilo basis.

From the USA, specialty coffees are most often purchased by importers or individual roasters via an FOB Contract. FOB (Free On Board) means that the price paid by the buyer includes all of the costs in the exporting country, including processing, inland transport, warehousing, dock fees, export fees and loading the container onto the ship. Ownership passes from the seller to the buyer once the container passes over the rail of the ship. The ships captain prepares the Bill of Lading that you will present to your bank to prove the coffee is now on the ship.

The exporter will need a bank that can handle international interbank transactions. Preferably one that is experienced in export document requirements. If not well established at this type of transaction, the exporter will not want to extend credit to any buyer, but will require payment terms: CAD (Cash Against Documents).
A CAD transaction enables the exporter to have payment deposited into his bank account after presenting to the bank the required documents proving that the coffee purchased by the importer (buyer) meets the specifications in the coffee purchase contract/agreement. The exporter's bank will determine exactly what documents are required.

These documents may include:
- Ocean Bill of Lading (from the freight liner after the coffee is loaded on the ship)
- Weight Notes to identify the exact content and weight of that content
- Certificate of Origin (issued by the government Customs authority in India)
- Certificate of Fumigation (if required by importing country)
- ICO Certificate of Origin (Approved by the ICO: International Coffee Organization)
- Invoice sent to buyer identify the details of the purchase and $Value.
- Packing List from seller as evidence of the product shipped.
- Other agricultural certificates as dictated in your country

Typically, the exporter will use an Export Broker in the origin country who is expert in these matters and can arrange all of the issues involved in preparing the coffee and the documents for export. If a broker is the seller/exporter, then he will handle all of the required export documentation. The buyer/importer arranges for payment, ocean freight and transport insurance. It's also the importer's responsibility for acquiring all import documentation and arrangement in his country.

Of course, finding buyers is the key when importing for resell. For information to identify coffee importers, office coffee service providers and specialty gourmet coffee roasters in the United States, you can purchase a membership list from the Specialty Coffee Association of America or from InfoUSA.com. You can use networking sites like, TradeKey as well.

Note: there are always risks associated with importing. Although the importer may have received samples representing the coffee purchased, in most cases the actual coffee received will match the quality grade, type and source, every coffee lot is different, even from the same region and farm.

There are a few ways to lower this risk. One is to be sure you have a "green coffee contract" modeled after the Green Coffee Association Contract Terms & Conditions. Second, be sure to get an export sample taken directly from the contain prior to its being loaded onto the ship, since once the container is on the ship ownership transfers to the importer (FOB contract terms). Finally, when you purchase is large enough, personally knowing who your buying from and even visiting the country to physically select and monitor the export process is an option.

Author, Steve Josephs is CEO of Intellidon Marketing LLC, www.IntellidonMarketing.com, whose family office coffee service business, the Great American Coffee Company, www.GourmetOfficeCoffee.com, is a premier Specialty coffee roaster and office coffee service provider in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan business community.
Copyright 2009 Intellidon Marketing LLC. All rights reserved. Reprints are permissible when this Copyright statement and website links are included.

Article Source: Steve Josephs - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

Hey thanks a lot it was so helpful!!!

 

[Garyboya]

I to am interested in starting my own coffee brand. I want to blend various herbs into my coffee. Looking to start out small but high in quality and packaging. Can anyone suggest a good coffee partner for me?
Yours, gary

 

[ensoluna]

I to am interested in starting my own coffee brand. I want to blend various herbs into my coffee. Looking to start out small but high in quality and packaging. Can anyone suggest a good coffee partner for me?
Yours, gary

hi Gary, please pm me exactly what you need. perhaps I might be able to help you. you can check .:ENSOLUNA:. first and get some idea what we do. thanks. alex

 

[wscafe]

Hi Omerta, why don't you look for a coffee supplier from Vietnam - the world's second largest coffee producer. It must be much easier and more convenient.

 

[peterjschmidt]

Hi Omerta, why don't you look for a coffee supplier from Vietnam - the world's second largest coffee producer. It must be much easier and more convenient.

Probably because 99.999999% of coffee from Vietnam isn't worth drinking. Why do you think it ends up in cans of crap like Folgers?

 

[coffeepercolator1]

I agree with that.
Once I drank Vietnam coffee and thought of never drinking coffee there again.
Very Horrible:decaf:

 

[peterjschmidt]

That said, I have a local friend who adopted two Vietnamese infants a dozen years ago, and ever since has been endeavoring to improve the economy and welfare of Vietnamese people. Several years ago, he formed Temple Hills Coffee, and realized a couple years ago he needs to work directly with a few farmers to get them to grow better coffee. So he is taking a bath financially, but has agreed to buy arabica at a high price to incentivise the farmers, and is importing some very, very good coffee. There was only ~3,000lbs. in this last harvest, of which I've sold ~350# as green, and am roasting it for some very satisfied customers.

 

[Ariya]

Hi everybody, I'm new here and I want to start selling coffee via internet (Ecommerce).

I am sorry, this might be off topic but I would like to know if you need any permit or license to roast the coffee in Quebec?

 

[enochpaul]

Coffee suppliers from India

Hi Omerta,
We are coffee suppliers from India. We can provide you coffee's of any specification and will be able to export the coffee to your doorstep fully packed under your own brand name. We also take care of all logistics and government regulations. Do let us know if you are interested.

regards,
Enoch

 

[javanize.me]

Wonderful thread. Very informative.

I've learn so much in a very short time just following this thread.
I've been charmed at first read by this wonderful community.


I will probably start a thread of my own next, but since people are still reading this thread, I figure I would introduce myself at the same time and my questions are on topic.

I'm just starting my e-commerce business to sell high grade authentic coffee. I aim to specialise mostly on Indonesia Arabica Coffee as I have family over there and to import in Canada. Unfortunately, I'm experiencing the pain to import 20Kg (small quantity) and the price of shipping compare to the price of coffee. I might have to change my strategy. The thing is I know very very good local producer like Fabriek Aroma Bandoeng and I was very excited to introduce these awesome coffee to Canada. But the price combine with shipping make it very expensive coffee here. At around 20$ / 250g with 20% profit.

In order to be successful in this project, I would need to have much more volume capacity. I also contacted J.J Royal which specialise in gourmet Indonesian coffee specialty which have very great product quality. I hope to be able to have a better shipping deal with them.

I will also be looking for any importer who specialise in Indonesian coffee who would like to partner with me as a toll-roaster *I'm not sure if I memorised it right*. Helping me building my brand and so on.


Again everyone who participated in this thread, you are fantastic and I really enjoy an open community where sharing knowledge is an important value. This is something I always been promoting in my previous company venture and as an IT professionnal. The world would be much better with more people like you folks

 

[wmark]

My e-commerce experience.

Most people will not buy unless they have had/tasted your coffee.
Where can they taste your coffee.

Freight is a major expense. From importing the coffee to shipping the roasted coffee to the customer.
I see that I can buy 1 lb Sumatra for $14, you are selling for almost $40 ???

If you are buying any volume, like 1/2 to 1 container, you need to be closer to the C market price

 

[Seb]

I am sorry, this might be off topic but I would like to know if you need any permit or license to roast the coffee in Quebec?

If you only do wholesale you do not need any permit. But if you roast for retail yes you do need an annual permit that is around $300.

 

[wmark]

The issue may be air emissions and local bylaws. While you may or may not need a business license, you don't want to be shut down because someone complained about the smell of your emissions

 

[Seb]

The issue may be air emissions and local bylaws. While you may or may not need a business license, you don't want to be shut down because someone complained about the smell of your emissions

For sure, i just replied to his specific question thinking that he knows about the smell/fumes issue. Always ask your local autority.

 

[javanize.me]

My e-commerce experience.

Most people will not buy unless they have had/tasted your coffee.
Where can they taste your coffee.

Freight is a major expense. From importing the coffee to shipping the roasted coffee to the customer.
I see that I can buy 1 lb Sumatra for $14, you are selling for almost $40 ???

If you are buying any volume, like 1/2 to 1 container, you need to be closer to the C market price

Hi wmark,

You are right, I would either require to have very premium coffee to justify the difference of price or find a better strategy to start until I can import by the container.

I've learn some new thing in the meantime, so I will summarize it here for other reader who might find it useful.

1- Find established importer and develop a relationship with them to have the potential to piggy back their shipping container with your own favorite green bean coffee.
2- Find a local importer / roaster and use what they have available to build your volume and establish your company
3- Focus on selling to start and establish your brand. And later on, you will be able to be more vertical by importing, roasting, selling all by yourself with enough sell volume to support it.