A practical, no-fluff playbook to secure FSSAI NOC for Indonesian green coffee beans at Indian ports. From FoSCoS licensing and pre-shipment labels to FICS filing, sampling, lab tests, and clearing objections.
If you import green coffee into India, you already know this. FSSAI can be smooth or it can stall your container for weeks. We have walked buyers through both scenarios, and we built this 2026 guide so your Indonesian beans clear fast, consistently.
Scope note. This is about FSSAI clearance for green coffee beans under HS 0901. We are not covering DGFT, Plant Quarantine, BIS, or customs valuation.
The 3 pillars of frictionless FSSAI NOC
In our experience, FSSAI NOC for coffee import hinges on three things done right, in this order.
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Pre-shipment hygiene. Get the importer’s FoSCoS license, clean labels on every bulk bag, and a manufacturer Certificate of Analysis with the coffee parameters FSSAI auditors actually look for. Map your HS 0901 line items to the correct FSSAI category on documents. If this first pillar is solid, you avoid 80 percent of detentions.
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Clean FICS filing through ICEGATE single window. Your Bill of Entry must map to the right FSSAI product category and lot details. Consistency across invoice, packing list, bag markings, and FICS data is non negotiable.
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Risk-based inspection and lab. Assume sampling will happen at least on your initial consignments. If your paperwork anticipates the lab’s checklist, your NOC lands without back and forth.
Practical takeaway. Before you book space, align on labels and a pre-shipment CoA that includes Ochratoxin A and moisture. This single step is the cheapest insurance against delays.
Phase 1. Pre-shipment setup that avoids objections
Do I need an FSSAI license to import green coffee beans into India?
Yes. The Indian buyer or their customs broker must hold a valid FSSAI Central License for import, created on FoSCoS. The category is typically food importer for HS 0901 coffee. No separate product approval is needed for green coffee. But the license must be current, and the name and address must match the Bill of Entry.
What documents are required for FSSAI NOC for Indonesian green coffee?
From our playbook, this is the minimum set that clears smoothly:
- FSSAI FoSCoS import license copy of the Indian importer
- IEC and GST of importer. Usually part of the customs file
- Commercial invoice and packing list with HS 0901.61 or 0901.11 as applicable
- Bill of Lading and Bill of Entry reference for ICEGATE mapping
- Manufacturer Certificate of Analysis. For green coffee, include moisture, foreign matter, defective beans, and Ochratoxin A. Add pesticide residue screen when available
- Country of origin on invoice and bags
- Label artwork or photo of actual sack markings showing required particulars
- Undertaking for rectifiable labelling if you intend to fix minor label gaps at port
Two non-obvious but valuable adds:
- A lot-wise list that ties each bag range to one lot ID. The AO samples per lot. If your lotting is vague, you risk extra samples and extra cost.
- A pre-shipment OTA result from an accredited lab. We aim for less than 3 µg/kg on green beans to stay well below typical coffee limits applied by FSSAI.
Bulk bag labeling India. What must be on every sack?
For raw material coffee sacks, FSSAI expects at least the following in English, legible and non-erasable:
- Name of food. Coffee beans, green, unroasted
- Net weight per bag in metric
- Batch or lot number that matches the invoice and FICS
- Country of origin. Indonesia
- Name and address of the importer in India and their FSSAI license number. This can be applied as a sticker at port under a rectifiable labelling undertaking
- Packing or manufacturing date and shelf life or best before. For green coffee, importers commonly declare 12 to 24 months based on storage plan
- Storage conditions. For example, cool and dry. Keep away from strong odors
We recommend printing all base details at source and using port stickers only for importer name and FSSAI number. Missing dates or origin are often treated as non-rectifiable.
When does the FSSAI shelf life rule matter for green coffee?
Green coffee is a raw agricultural input. FSSAI mainly checks that a clear shelf life is declared and that the consignment is within validity at the time of import. We advise buyers to keep a conservative declared shelf life and ensure generous residual life at arrival. Practically, keep at least several months in hand when the vessel berths.
Phase 2. Filing FICS and getting sampled without drama
How to file FSSAI import clearance on FICS for coffee
- File the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE with the correct HS 0901 line and link to FSSAI through the single window. Then file the FSSAI Food Import Clearance System (FICS) application against that BoE
- Select product category. Coffee beans, green, unroasted. Map each lot and quantity precisely
- Upload the documents listed above. Keep filenames clear. For example, OTA-CoA-LotA.pdf
- Submit your declaration. Avoid generic text. State that the product is 100 percent green coffee beans, not for direct human consumption, for roasting and grinding by registered FBOs
Turnaround time for FSSAI NOC at Nhava Sheva
At Nhava Sheva, clean coffee files with low-risk history typically see AO examination within 24 to 48 hours. If sampling is ordered, expect 3 to 7 working days for the lab result depending on the parameter load and the lab’s queue. First-time importers and multi-lot consignments can run 7 to 10 days end to end. Plan your free days accordingly.
Coffee import sampling process at Indian ports
- The Authorised Officer visits the CFS. They check sack labels and tally lots. They draw samples from each declared lot. Usually 250 to 500 g per sample
- Samples are sealed. One goes to the FSSAI-notified lab. One counter sample may be retained
- The lab tests and uploads results to FICS. The AO issues NOC if the report is satisfactory
Need help tailoring your FICS file to your product mix or port? You can Contact us on whatsapp and we will review your draft checklist before you ship.
Phase 3. What labs check and how to pass first time
Which tests does FSSAI typically conduct on imported green coffee beans?
It varies by lab and risk profile, but the common matrix looks like this:
- Physico-chemical. Moisture content, extraneous matter, broken and defective beans
- Contaminants. Ochratoxin A. Heavy metals on a risk basis. For OTA, India prescribes limits for coffee products. In practice, labs often apply that yardstick to green beans at import
- Pesticide residues. As per FSSAI MRLs. A screened panel is common
- Microbiology is rarely applied to green beans since they are not ready-to-eat
Cost of FSSAI lab testing for coffee samples
Expect INR 5,000 to 15,000 per lot for a basic panel with OTA. A broader pesticide screen increases cost. Multi-lot consignments add up quickly, which is why smart lotting and pre-shipment OTA checks pay for themselves.
What happens if my coffee sample fails an FSSAI lab test?
The AO will issue a non-conformance. You get options:
- Seek a re-test at a referral lab using the counter sample if you believe there is a lab error or you are borderline
- Re-export the affected lot(s). Sometimes faster than contesting
- Destruction is the last resort and carries cost and paperwork
Our rule. If OTA is close to the limit, request a referral re-test immediately. If the value is clearly over, do not waste days. Re-export the lot and protect the rest of the shipment if split lotting allows it.
Clearing common objections before they happen
Avoid FSSAI detention for coffee shipments with these fixes we use routinely.
- Align lot IDs across invoice, packing list, and bag stencil. If Lot B on the invoice shows up as L-2 on the sack, the AO will hesitate and may sample more
- Put the importer’s FSSAI license number on each bag or on an outer sticker. Use the rectifiable labeling undertaking only for that specific fix. Not for missing dates or origin
- Use HS 0901 consistently. Do not mix HS lines within the same physical lot unless your labels reflect that split
- Upload a readable bag photo for each lot on FICS. It shortcuts half the label questions
Can I use a rectifiable labeling undertaking to clear a coffee shipment?
Yes, for minor defects that can be corrected at the customs area. Typical examples are adding the importer’s name and FoSCoS license number or adding net weight in metric. Non-rectifiable issues include missing date coding, wrong or absent country of origin, and expired shelf life. Do not rely on rectification for fundamental label elements.
Product fit and prep for India-bound lots
Several of our Indonesian origins are already moving to India with clean FSSAI histories. If you need beans that routinely meet OTA expectations and stable moisture, look at Arabica Bali Kintamani Grade 1 Green Coffee Beans, Sumatra Mandheling Green Coffee Beans, and Blue Batak Green Coffee Beans. For India-bound contracts we can attach lot-wise CoAs that include OTA and moisture so your FICS submission is stronger. You can also View our products to shortlist by cup profile and process.
Quick answers to questions buyers ask us every month
- Do I need an FSSAI license to import green coffee beans into India? Yes. The Indian importer needs a valid FoSCoS Central License for import
- How long does FSSAI clearance take? Clean files at Nhava Sheva often clear in 2 to 5 working days. First-timers or multi-lot shipments can take 7 to 10
- Which tests will labs run? Moisture, extraneous matter, OTA, and a pesticide panel are common. Heavy metals on risk basis
- What are the label rules for sacks? Name of food, net weight, batch or lot, country of origin, importer’s name and FoSCoS license, date coding, shelf life, and storage. All in English and legible
- What if a sample fails? Ask for referral re-test if borderline. Otherwise re-export the failed lot to protect time and cost
Final checklist you can use before you ship
- FoSCoS license copy matches importer details on all documents
- Invoice and packing list declare HS 0901 and lot IDs that match bag stencils
- Sack labels show origin, date code, lot, net weight, and planned importer sticker placement
- Pre-shipment CoA includes OTA and moisture. Pesticide screen when available
- FICS file has clear lot mapping, bag photos, and a precise declaration
We have learned these steps the hard way so you do not have to. If you want us to sanity check your labels or your FICS inputs for a live shipment, Call us and we can walk through your exact scenario in under 15 minutes.