Buying green coffee for international delivery involves more than agreeing on price and quantity — the paperwork that travels with the shipment is what gets it through customs and reassures the receiving roaster that what’s in the bag matches what was ordered. Here’s a plain-language rundown of the documents that typically accompany an export-ready lot.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA): lab-verified results for moisture content, defect count, and screen size — an independent check on the specs quoted in the listing.
- Phytosanitary Certificate: issued by the origin country’s agricultural authority, confirming the shipment is free of pests and plant diseases that could affect the importing country’s agriculture.
- Certificate of Origin (COO): confirms where the coffee was actually grown and processed, often required for preferential trade tariffs.
- Moisture Analysis Report: a more detailed moisture reading than the COA summary, important because moisture above safe thresholds risks mold during transit.
- Packing List & Commercial Invoice: the standard shipping and customs paperwork detailing weights, bag counts, and declared value.
- Fumigation Certificate: issued when a shipment has been treated against pests in transit — required by some destination countries, optional for others.
Requirements vary by destination country, so it’s worth confirming with your supplier which documents apply to your specific import market before the shipment leaves the warehouse — reputable exporters will have all of the above ready as standard practice, not as a special request.