Indonesian Coffee Export to Saudi Arabia: SFDA 2026 Guide

A practical, step‑by‑step 2026 checklist for exporting Indonesian green coffee beans (HS 0901) to Saudi Arabia. What SFDA actually checks, FIRS vs SABER, Arabic sack markings that pass at port, documents that must match word‑for‑word, timelines, and how to prevent costly detentions at Jeddah or Dammam.

We ship Indonesian green coffee into Saudi ports often, and we’ve seen what really causes holds versus smooth clears. If you’re targeting Saudi roasters in 2026, this is the playbook we use for HS 0901 green coffee beans. It’s focused on SFDA’s FIRS process, not roasted or instant coffee, and not SABER for equipment.

2026 in one page: what you actually need

SFDA FIRS. Your Saudi importer must be registered in SFDA’s Food Importers Registration System, then create a shipment clearance request for each consignment.
No SABER for coffee beans. SABER is for SASO-regulated non-food products. Green coffee is under SFDA. If you ship empty packaging or equipment separately, that’s SABER territory.
Phytosanitary certificate. Issued by Indonesia’s Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantan). Botanical name, weight and treatment details must mirror the invoice and packing list.
Arabic sack markings. For bulk sacks, inspectors expect Arabic product name, origin, net weight, lot/batch, and producer/packer at minimum. We add more fields to avoid debates at the gate.
Pre-arrival notification. Importer files the consignment in FIRS with docs attached before the vessel arrives. Sampling decisions are made on arrival.
Typical timeline. Importer FIRS setup 3–10 business days if new. Consignment approval 1–3 days. If sampled, add 2–7 days.

This is the baseline. The reality is, details decide whether you clear in 48 hours or sit 10 days at Jeddah.

Step-by-step checklist from PO to clearance

Confirm HS code mapping. Use HS 0901 for coffee. For green, not roasted, not decaffeinated, importers typically use 0901.11. Align this in the commercial invoice, packing list and FIRS product category the importer selects. Mismatches trigger holds.
Lock the data that must match word-for-word. We standardize these across all docs:

Product description: “Green coffee beans, unroasted, Coffea arabica” or “Coffea canephora (Robusta)” as applicable.
HS code 0901.11 (or the exact tariff line your broker confirms).
Country of origin: Indonesia. Province or island can be noted, but “Indonesia” must be the formal origin.
Net and gross weights per bag and total.
Lot/batch numbers and bag count.

Prepare Arabic sack markings. What inspectors in Jeddah and Dammam consistently accept on each bag:

Product name in Arabic and English, e.g., “حبوب قهوة خضراء غير محمصة – Green Coffee Beans, Unroasted.”
Variety/type if known to the buyer: Arabica or Robusta.
Country of origin: Indonesia.
Net weight in kg.
Lot/batch number and optional bag sequence (e.g., 1/320).
Producer/packer/exporter name and address.
Production/harvest date. We print YYYY-MM or a specific date that matches documents.
Storage guidance: “يحفظ في مكان بارد وجاف” (Store in a cool, dry place).
Importer name and CR/SFDA license number. Not always demanded on bulk, but including it heads off arguments.

Book pre-shipment inspection by Barantan. Obtain the phytosanitary certificate. Ensure botanical name, quantity, and packaging description match the invoice and sacks. If fumigation or any treatment is done, specify the agent and date.
Build the document pack. At minimum:

Commercial invoice and packing list.
Phytosanitary certificate (original or e-copy as accepted at the time).
Certificate of Origin from the Indonesian Chamber (KADIN). If using preferential tariffs, ensure the format required by customs is correct.
Bill of Lading with identical consignee data used in FIRS.
Any quality certifications agreed with the buyer. Moisture tests are helpful if your lot is borderline.

Pre-arrival FIRS consignment. The Saudi importer logs into FIRS and creates a shipment clearance request. They upload the docs and declare HS code 0901 with the correct product category. We encourage starting this 3–5 days before ETA.
Arrival, inspection, sampling. If selected, SFDA samples for common risks in plant products, such as pests and sometimes ochratoxin A. Moisture and visible contamination get attention. Clean bags and orderly pallets reduce random sampling.
Release and customs clearance. Once SFDA greenlights the consignment, the importer finalizes customs in ZATCA’s Bayan. If anything changes in the docs at this stage, update FIRS too. Mismatched final invoices can re-trigger SFDA review.

Need help with your exact case, including Arabic marking templates and FIRS screenshots we actually use? You can Contact us on whatsapp.

Answers to the questions everyone asks

Do we need SFDA product registration for green coffee beans or just FIRS import approval?

For green beans, you don’t register the “product” in a pre-market sense. Your Saudi importer registers their facility in FIRS, then submits a consignment request for each shipment. Think importer licensing plus shipment-by-shipment approval, not a one-time product registration.

Is SABER certification required for HS 0901 coffee beans going to Saudi?

No. Food and agricultural products are handled by SFDA, not SASO’s SABER. SABER may apply to non-food items like empty packaging materials or roasting equipment if those ship separately.

What Arabic information must be printed on bulk sacks for entry?

We have cleared shipments reliably with: product name, origin, net weight, lot/batch, producer/packer, harvest date and storage statement in Arabic. Including the importer name and license number is a practical extra that reduces discussions. When in doubt, put it on the bag and on the packing list.

Who submits the SFDA application—the Saudi importer or the Indonesian exporter?

The Saudi importer. We, as the exporter, supply accurate documents and sack markings. The importer files the consignment in FIRS and coordinates with SFDA and customs.

How long does SFDA FIRS approval take and when should we apply?

Importer account approval takes about 3–10 business days if they’re new. For each shipment, consignment clearance often takes 1–3 days if not sampled. Sampling can add 2–7 days. We start the FIRS consignment 3–5 days before vessel arrival to build buffer.

Which documents must match exactly to avoid SFDA holds?

Invoice, packing list, CoO and phytosanitary certificate must share identical product descriptions, HS code, weights, and lot numbers.
Consignee and importer data must be identical across the Bill of Lading, invoice and FIRS.
Production/harvest date on sacks should align with your declared production date.

Why do green coffee shipments get detained at Jeddah or Dammam, and how do we prevent it?

The most common reasons we see:

Arabic markings missing or incomplete. Solve with the “belt-and-suspenders” label set above.
HS code or product category mismatch between docs and FIRS. Align everything under 0901 from the start.
Phytosanitary certificate inconsistencies. Ensure botanical name, weight and packaging description match word-for-word.
Moisture and pest issues. Keep moisture at or below 12.5–13 percent and use clean, intact sacks. Palletize neatly, avoid odors and stains.
Shelf-life ambiguity. Green beans aren’t on Saudi’s fixed shelf-life list, but your declared best-before will be enforced. We declare 24 months from harvest for well-stored arabica, then make sure at least 50 percent remains on arrival.

Non-obvious insights that save days at the port

Put the importer’s SFDA license number on every sack and on the packing list. It’s not always mandatory. It does end a lot of back-and-forth.
Pre-assign a single lot code across the shipment. Don’t mix multiple small lots in one BL unless the importer wants separate FIRS lines. Mixed lots invite sampling per lot.
Align purchase contract language with the invoice. If your sales contract describes “semi-washed Mandheling” and the invoice says only “green coffee beans,” inspectors sometimes ask for clarification. We mirror key processing terms on the invoice to match reality.

Choosing Indonesian lots Saudi buyers love—and that clear smoothly

Saudi roasters value body, chocolate, and clean spice. They also appreciate consistency for espresso programs. From our side, we focus on moisture control and uniform screen size because that helps both cup quality and inspections.

For a bright, clean arabica suitable for specialty bars, many buyers start with Arabica Bali Kintamani Grade 1 Green Coffee Beans. The lot detail and uniformity keep documentation simple.
For chocolatey body in blends that Saudi espresso programs favor, Sumatra Mandheling Green Coffee Beans is a staple. Clear variety naming on docs helps with botanical identification.
For a low-acidity blender that still cups well after transit, our Musty Cup Green Coffee Beans (Aged Arabica) offers stable profiles and often smoother moisture readings at inspection.

If you’re still evaluating profiles for your Saudi line-up, you can also View our products and shortlist by processing method and body.

Quick takeaways

The importer leads in SFDA FIRS. You lead in spotless documentation and Arabic sack markings.
No SABER for green coffee. Keep it SFDA-only unless you ship non-food items.
Make data match perfectly across invoice, CoO, phyto and FIRS. Small wording differences create big delays.
Start the consignment in FIRS a few days before ETA. Build time for sampling.
Treat bags and pallets like the product they are. Clean, consistent presentation reduces random holds.

We keep templates for Arabic markings, invoice descriptors for HS 0901, and a pre-arrival FIRS checklist. If you want those for your next shipment, Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll walk you through your specific case. This guide reflects our experience, but regulations evolve, so always confirm final requirements with your Saudi importer and broker before booking.