Triple certification system for import qualifications

According to the latest "Import and exportMeasures for the Administration of Food Safety》, coffee-bean importing enterprises must simultaneously possess:

• Food Business License(including coffee products in the business scope)
• Food import record filing(Declared through the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China "Internet + Customs" platform)
• Registration of overseas production enterprises(The manufacturer must be registered in the General Administration of Customs’ filing system)

The Golden 72 Hours of the Full Customs Clearance Process

• 24 hours before arrival
  • VerifyOrigin CertificatePreferential Tariff Rates by Trading Partner
  • Confirm the coffee bean processing method (roasting level affects HS code)
• Within 48 hours after arrival at the port
  • Submit the phytosanitary certificate (pay special attention to quarantine targets such as the coffee berry borer).
  • Complete radioactive testing of the goods (special requirement for volcanic ash production areas)

The Three Key Variables in Tariff Calculation

Take Colombian coffee beans as an example (HS Code 0901.11):

• Basic rates: 8% MFN tariff rate
• Preferential tax rate: China–Colombia FTA Agreement Tariff Rate 5.5%
• Special tax calculation: Producing areas above 2,000 meters in altitude may apply for tariff reductions.

Common Pitfalls in Inspection and Quarantine

Typical non-compliant cases reported by the General Administration of Customs in 2025 show:

• Moisture exceeding the standard (>12.5% prone to mold) accounts for 32%.
• Pesticide residues (imidacloprid exceeding the limit) account for 28%
• Labeling error (roast date not indicated): 19%

Value-Dimensional Evaluation of Proxy Services

• Emergency response capability: Timeliness of Pest Fumigation Plan Formulation
• Cost - control system: Leverage FTZ policies to reduce warehousing costs
• Compliance Management Network: Real-time policy tracking for 45 coffee-producing regions worldwide

A 2025 case from a Yunnan trading company shows: thanks to an early warning from its freight forwarder about Ethiopia’s new regulations, 16 tons of green beans were spared rejection for non-compliant packaging, saving over RMB 2 million in potential losses. Professional forwarding services not only avert risks but also create trade-premium headroom through process optimization.