Import regulations and tariffs for coffee beans in the USA, EU, and China: a practical HS 0901.11 guide

A tool-first, step-by-step playbook to classify unroasted, non‑decaffeinated green coffee beans (HS 0901.11) and verify current duty and VAT in the USA (HTSUS), EU (TARIC), and China (HS 090111). Includes landed-cost examples, documents checklist, and common pitfalls from our export desk.

If you’ve ever spent an afternoon hopping between customs forums and old blog posts trying to confirm whether your green coffee is truly duty-free, you’re not alone. We’ve been there with new buyers more times than we can count. Here’s the thing. If you know exactly how to classify your beans and which official databases to check, you can confirm tariffs and taxes in minutes and avoid costly surprises at the port.

Below is the system we use for our own export desk when shipping Indonesian green coffee to the United States, the European Union, and China.

Start with the right HS code for green coffee

The global HS heading for coffee is 0901. For unroasted beans there are two critical subheadings:

• 0901.11. Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated. This is the correct HS code for standard green coffee beans. In the US you’ll see it as HTSUS 0901.11.00. In the EU as TARIC/CN 0901 11 00. In China as HS 09011100.
• 0901.12. Coffee, not roasted, decaffeinated. Use this only if your green coffee has been decaffeinated. It matters because tax treatment and import controls can differ.

In our experience, 3 out of 5 classification mistakes happen because someone picks a general “coffee” line or misses the decaf distinction. That leads to wrong duty rates, delayed entries, and sometimes penalties. Classify first, then talk tariffs.

Practical tip: If your invoice or packing list mentions “cascara,” husk, parchment, or coffee by‑products mixed in, you may trigger a different HS line or plant health flag. Keep HS 0901.11 shipments clean and clearly described as “coffee, green beans, unroasted, non‑decaffeinated.”

USA: HTSUS 0901.11.00 and the real cost to land

Is green coffee duty‑free in the US? Yes, as a general rule. Under HTSUS 0901.11.00, the Column 1 General duty rate is Free for most countries. But there’s more to consider.

How to verify in minutes:

1. Open the USITC HTS Online Reference Tool. Search “0901.11.00”.
2. Confirm the subheading “Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated.” Check the rate under Column 1. It should display “Free.”
3. Click through notes for any temporary measures. Sanctions or special tariffs rarely touch coffee, but it’s worth the 30 seconds.

Non‑obvious costs most first‑timers miss:

• Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF). 0.3464% of the entered value, minimum and maximum apply. This adds up on larger consignments.
• Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF). 0.125% for ocean entries.
• FDA Prior Notice. Mandatory for all food imports, including green coffee. Your broker usually files it, but it must match the actual shipping documents.
• USDA/APHIS plant health. The US typically allows clean, dried green coffee without a phytosanitary certificate, but APHIS can impose origin‑specific restrictions or require treatment if pests are a concern. Always check the APHIS ACIR database for “Coffea beans, unroasted” by origin prior to shipment. We advise including a phytosanitary certificate when feasible. It speeds inspections.

Quick landed‑cost example (CIF Los Angeles = USD 100,000 of green coffee):

• Customs duty: 0%
• MPF: 0.3464% × 100,000 = USD 346.40
• HMF: 0.125% × 100,000 = USD 125.00
• Total government charges at entry: ~USD 471.40 plus brokerage and local port fees

Takeaway: US duty is zero for HS 0901.11, but MPF, HMF, and FDA/APHIS compliance still matter for true landed cost and timing.

European Union: TARIC 0901 11 00, zero duty, local VAT still applies

For most third‑country imports into the EU, the duty rate on TARIC 0901 11 00 is 0%. Many buyers stop there and miss two things.

How to verify in minutes:

1. Open EU TARIC and search “0901 11 00.”
2. Under “Measures,” confirm the “Third country duty” shows 0%. Check any additional measures, surveillance, or prohibitions.
3. Look for VAT information. TARIC indicates the EU VAT framework, but the rate applied is the Member State’s rate at import.

What you’ll actually pay:

• Import duty: 0% for most origins under the erga omnes rate.
• VAT: Charged at the Member State’s import VAT rate. Coffee often attracts the standard VAT rate, though national rules vary. Your broker will apply the local rate of the first EU entry point unless using special procedures.

Plant health reality:

• Green coffee beans are plant products. Expect a phytosanitary certificate and CHED‑PP pre‑notification in TRACES NT at most EU ports. Roasted coffee is generally exempt. We’ve found that having clean documentation and TRACES pre‑notification done 24–48 hours before arrival avoids holds.

Landed‑cost example (CIF Antwerp = EUR 100,000):

• Duty: 0%
• VAT: if standard rate is 21%, then 21% × 100,000 = EUR 21,000
• Total government charges at entry: ~EUR 21,000 plus inspection, brokerage, and port fees

Takeaway: Duty is usually zero. The cash driver is VAT. Plan your cash flow accordingly or use postponed accounting where available.

China: HS 09011100, MFN duty plus 13% VAT

China’s tariff for unroasted, non‑decaf coffee is published under HS 09011100.

How to verify in minutes:

1. Use China Customs Tariff database. Search “09011100.”
2. Confirm MFN rate for your import date. Some years show adjustments or temporary rates.
3. Check if a preferential FTA rate applies to your origin. Preferential rates require a correct Certificate of Origin.

Typical taxes we see on HS 09011100:

• Import duty: MFN rate commonly published for this line. Verify current year’s rate before you quote. Some FTA lanes can be lower, potentially 0% with valid origin proof.
• VAT: 13% applied on the duty‑paid value. The VAT base is CIF + duty + any applicable surcharges.

Regulatory must‑haves:

• GACC registration. Since 2022, many overseas food manufacturers and exporters shipping to China must register under GACC Decree 248. We maintain active registrations for our facilities.
• Phytosanitary certificate from Indonesia’s NPPO. China CIQ will inspect on arrival. Clean, insect‑free bags and accurate moisture specs reduce delays.
• Chinese‑language labels aren’t typically required for bulk raw coffee beans, but confirm with your consignee if pre‑packaged retail units are involved.

Landed‑cost example (CIF Shanghai = USD 100,000, MFN duty rate for reference only):

• Duty: apply the current MFN or preferential rate to the CIF value
• VAT: 13% × (CIF + duty)
• Add CIQ inspection fees and local handling

Takeaway: In China, plan for import duty plus 13% VAT. Paperwork readiness, especially GACC and phytosanitary, is what keeps your container moving.

What documents actually help prove correct classification?

• Commercial invoice and packing list. Clearly state “Coffee, green beans, unroasted, non‑decaffeinated” and the HS code 0901.11 (0901 11 00 or 09011100 as applicable).
• Phytosanitary certificate. Expected in the EU and China. Often helpful in the US.
• Certificate of Origin. Commercial CO or preferential COO if you plan to claim an FTA rate in China or elsewhere.
• Bill of lading or airway bill, plus weight/quality certificates. Clean packaging details and moisture levels make plant health checks easier.
• FDA Prior Notice confirmation (US) and TRACES pre‑notification (EU) when required.
• Optional: ICO Certificate of Origin. Some buyers and authorities still like to see it for traceability, even when not mandatory.

Common mistakes we see and how to avoid them

• Using 0901.12 by accident for non‑decaf coffee. Double‑check decaf status. A wrong code can change tax and trigger re‑entry.
• Assuming “duty‑free” means tax‑free. US MPF/HMF and EU import VAT regularly surprise new importers.
• Skipping plant health steps. In the EU and China, lack of a phytosanitary certificate or missing pre‑notifications is the number one cause of holds.
• Relying on third‑party tariff tables. Always confirm in HTSUS, TARIC, or China Customs for the current year.

Quick product examples mapped to HS 0901.11

• Single‑origin Arabica shipments like Arabica Bali Kintamani Grade 1 Green Coffee Beans or Blue Batak Green Coffee Beans. Classify under HS 0901.11 as unroasted, non‑decaf.
• Fermentation styles don’t change the code when the product remains unroasted and non‑decaf. Our Bali, Java, Gayo & Mandheling - Wine Green Arabica Coffee Beans still fall under 0901.11.
• Aged coffees such as Musty Cup Green Coffee Beans (Aged Arabica) remain 0901.11 if unroasted and non‑decaf.

If you need a quick double‑check on classification or document wording for a specific lot, feel free to Contact us on whatsapp. We do this weekly for partners and can usually confirm within a business day.

Fast verification checklist you can bookmark

• HS code: 0901.11 for unroasted, non‑decaffeinated coffee. 0901.12 if decaf.
• USA: Check HTSUS 0901.11.00. Duty Free. Add MPF and HMF. File FDA Prior Notice. Verify APHIS conditions in ACIR.
• EU: Check TARIC 0901 11 00. Duty 0% erga omnes. VAT at Member State rate. Expect phytosanitary cert and TRACES pre‑notification.
• China: Check HS 09011100. Confirm current MFN or FTA rate. VAT 13% on duty‑paid value. GACC registration and phytosanitary required.

We recommend saving official database links in your workflow and re‑checking rates before each new shipment or contract. Tax schedules update. So do plant health measures.

Finally, if you’re validating samples or building a seasonal blend, our export‑ready lots are already standardized for customs description and moisture specs. You can View our products and match your selection to the HS 0901.11 workflow above.

Our view after years in this trade. Classify cleanly. Verify in the official database. Pre‑clear plant health. That’s the difference between a release in hours and a random inspection that kills your launch timeline.