How to Buy Ethiopian Green Coffee

Unlike most coffee origins, Ethiopian coffee is not priced against the New York C Market. Pricing is set domestically through the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX), which establishes floor prices, manages quality grading, and handles price discovery based on grade, region, and quality.

The ECX floor price applies to all Ethiopian coffee regardless of sales channel. However, not all coffee trades through the ECX auction itself. Cooperatives, unions, and vertically integrated exporters who own their own washing stations can sell directly to international buyers. This direct channel is especially common for traceable specialty lots, but the ECX floor price still sets the minimum.

Export prices are quoted in USD per pound. We typically offer fixed-price contracts, giving buyers clear cost certainty. Prices vary by origin, grade (G1 through G5), and processing method (washed vs. natural). We provide transparent, itemized quotations so you know exactly what you are paying for.

A Full Container Load (FCL) uses a standard 20-foot shipping container exclusively for your cargo. For green coffee, one FCL holds approximately:

• ~20 metric tons (20,000 kg)
• ~44,000 lbs
• ~275–320 bags at 60 kg per bag

FCL is the standard because it is the most cost-efficient unit for ocean freight. The per-kg shipping cost drops significantly compared to smaller shipments. It also eliminates co-loading risk (your coffee sharing a container with other goods).

LCL (Less than Container Load) is possible but rarely recommended: it costs more per kg, adds handling risk, and extends transit time. For new buyers, we encourage starting with a full container, using the mix-and-match option to diversify across multiple origins or grades.

FOB (Free on Board) is the most common Incoterm in green coffee trade. It means the seller (us) covers all costs until the coffee is loaded onto the vessel at the export port. From that point, the buyer assumes responsibility and cost.

For Ethiopian coffee, the standard export point is FOB Djibouti, the nearest major port, approximately 900 km from Addis Ababa.

• FOB price covers: coffee cost, inland trucking to Djibouti, port handling, and export documentation
• Buyer arranges and pays for: ocean freight, marine insurance, import duties and customs clearance, and delivery to final destination

We also offer FCA (Free Carrier) terms for air freight, where we deliver to the carrier at Addis Ababa airport or a nominated freight station.

Every international green coffee shipment requires a standard set of documents. Here is what each one does:

• Commercial Invoice: States the buyer, seller, quantity, description, and agreed price. Required for customs in your country.
• Packing List: Details each bag's weight, lot number, and markings. Used for customs and warehouse receiving.
• Bill of Lading (B/L): The shipping contract and title document. Issued by the shipping line. You need this to release your container at destination.
• Certificate of Origin / ICO Certificate: Confirms the coffee originated in Ethiopia. Required by most importing countries for customs clearance and duty calculation.
• Phytosanitary Certificate: Issued by Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture. Confirms the coffee is free from pests and plant diseases. Required for import into virtually every country.
• ECX Quality & Weight Certificate: Confirms the grade and weight certified by the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange.
• Organic / Fair Trade / Rainforest Alliance Certificates: Included when applicable for certified lots.

We prepare and provide all of the above as part of every shipment.

Import requirements vary by destination. Here are the key ones to know:

• United States: FDA Prior Notice required before shipment arrives. No specific coffee import duty (MFN rate is 0%) for green, unroasted coffee. Your customs broker handles entry and FDA clearance.
• European Union: Subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires due diligence documentation proving the coffee was not grown on deforested land. We provide the traceability data needed. Standard import duty on green coffee (unroasted) is 0% under MFN tariff.
• United Kingdom: Similar to EU. Phytosanitary certificate required. Green coffee is duty-free under the UK Global Tariff.
• Canada: No coffee-specific import duty. Health Canada food safety regulations apply. Phytosanitary certificate required.
• Australia: DAFF (Dept. of Agriculture) biosecurity import permit may be required. Phytosanitary certificate mandatory.

We recommend working with a licensed customs broker in your country. They handle the paperwork, calculate duties, and ensure your shipment clears without delays. We provide all export-side documentation to support your broker.

Here is a realistic timeline for a standard FCL order:

• Week 1–2: Sample approval, quotation, contract signing, and deposit payment
• Week 2–4: Coffee is prepared, quality-checked, bagged, and loaded in Addis Ababa
• Week 4–5: Inland transport to Djibouti port, customs clearance, and vessel loading
• Transit (ocean): 2–3 weeks to Middle East, 4–5 weeks to Europe, 6–8 weeks to North America or East Asia
• Destination: Port arrival, customs clearance (3–10 days depending on country), and delivery to your warehouse

Total time from contract to warehouse: typically 8–14 weeks depending on destination. Planning your inventory around this lead time is key.

A Pre-Shipment Sample (PSS) is a small quantity (typically 300–500g) pulled from the actual lot that will be loaded into your container. It is sent to you for cupping and approval before shipment begins.

PSS approval is standard practice in specialty coffee trade and strongly recommended. It serves as your final quality check and creates a reference point: if the received coffee differs significantly from the PSS, you have documented grounds for a quality claim.

We provide PSS as part of every wholesale export order, accompanied by cupping notes, physical analysis, and lot documentation.

Browse our Current Offerings, then request a quote for the coffees you're interested in. If a lot is listed as Future Lots, join our allocation list to be notified when it's available.

From there, we'll provide a formal quotation, finalize terms, and handle all export documentation and logistics coordination.

Yes! You can purchase evaluation samples directly from any product page. We offer 300g samples at a nominal cost for roast profiling and cupping. Simply add to cart and complete checkout via PayPal - no quote request needed.

Shipping is calculated at checkout via DHL Express based on your destination. Samples ship directly from Ethiopia.

Green coffee ships in GrainPro hermetic liners inside jute bags industry standard for quality preservation. Standard sizes are 60 kg or 30 kg bags. Vacuum-sealed options available for micro-lots.

Our minimum order quantity is one full container load (FCL), approximately 20 metric tons / 44,000 lbs, or roughly 275–320 bags (60 kg each). This is the standard unit of international green coffee trade and the most cost-effective option for ocean freight.

Mix and match: You can fill a full container with different coffee types and grades to create a diverse selection that meets your customers' needs.

Less than full load: While we can ship less than a full container load in a full container, our strong recommendation is to maximize value by ordering a full container. Partial loads may incur additional per-unit costs.

Sample orders: Purchase 300g evaluation samples at a nominal cost directly from any product page via PayPal. Shipping via DHL Express is calculated at checkout.

Yes, depending on availability, we offer Organic (USDA/EU), Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance certified coffees.

Certified lots have limited availability and may require advance booking. All certification documentation is provided with your shipment.

Each lot includes: region/woreda, washing station or cooperative, altitude, variety, processing method, harvest season, and cup score (when available). We can also share producer stories and origin photos for storytelling and marketing.

We source from Ethiopia's premier growing regions: Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Guji, Harrar, Limu, and Jimma/Kaffa. Each region has distinct flavor characteristics see our offerings page for current availability and detailed tasting notes.

We provide multiple quality assurances:

• Pre-shipment samples (PSS): Approve the exact lot before we ship
• SCA cupping scores and detailed tasting notes
• Physical analysis: Screen size, moisture, defect counts on request
• Third-party inspection available if required

Ethiopia: Climate-controlled warehouses in Addis Ababa maintain optimal conditions during pre-export staging. All coffee is stored in GrainPro-lined bags to preserve quality until shipment.

Once shipped, coffee is delivered directly to your designated port or warehouse. We coordinate with your freight forwarder to ensure smooth handoff and can recommend trusted logistics partners if needed.

We offer Washed (clean, bright acidity), Natural (fruity, full-bodied), and Honey (balanced sweetness) processed coffees. Each lot on our offerings page shows its processing method.

We export worldwide. Primary markets include the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. We can ship to most countries that permit green coffee imports.

We offer flexible Incoterms:

• FOB Djibouti: You arrange ocean freight
• FCA: Delivered to carrier; buyer arranges air freight

Company details (legal name, address, tax ID), contact person, delivery address, and freight forwarder info if you're arranging shipping. We'll let you know if additional documents (import license, special certifications) are required for your country.

Every shipment includes:

• Shipping docs: Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List
• Compliance docs: Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, ICO Certificate
• Quality docs: ECTA Quality Certificate, Weight Certificate

Certification documents (Organic, Fair Trade) included when applicable.

Verify the container seal matches the B/L, count bags, check for damage, pull arrival samples for quality verification, and move to proper storage promptly. Report any issues within 7 days with photos and documentation.

Yes, we offer staggered deliveries, harvest allocations, and forward contracts with scheduled shipping dates. This helps manage cash flow and freshness. Additional logistics costs may apply.

Pricing depends on quality grade, origin/traceability, processing method, certifications, volume, and shipping terms. We provide transparent, itemized quotations in USD per pound so you know exactly what you are paying for.

New customers: 50% deposit, 50% against shipping documents.
Established customers: Net 30/60 may be available.
Letter of Credit: Accepted from recognized banks.

USD is our standard invoicing currency for all export transactions. We may also invoice in EUR or GBP for European buyers upon request. All pricing and contracts are denominated in the agreed currency to provide clarity and avoid conversion surprises.

No. Your quotation clearly itemizes coffee cost (FOB), freight, insurance, documentation, and certification premiums. The price you agree to is the price you pay.

We follow SCA cupping protocols and ECTA grading. Every lot is evaluated for screen size, moisture (10–12%), defect count, and density. Full traceability from farm/cooperative to export.

Report concerns within 7 days with photos and cupping notes. We retain samples from every lot for comparison. Resolution options include price adjustments, replacement coffee, or third-party arbitration.

Returns aren't practical for international coffee trade, but we're committed to fair dealing. Quality claims for damaged or below-spec coffee are handled through compensation or insurance claims. Contact us immediately if you notice any issues.

Most issues are resolved through direct discussion and sample comparison. For formal disputes, we follow GCA arbitration procedures. Proactive communication prevents most problems. We encourage feedback at every stage.

Coffee importers, trading companies, specialty roasters with import capability, café chains, private labels, and distributors. Whether you need one container a year or one container a month, we're interested in building a relationship with you.

No. Start with a single order to test our coffee and service. Ongoing partners enjoy priority access to limited lots, forward contract pricing, and more flexible payment terms. We earn your business through quality, not contracts.

Yes! We offer custom sourcing: specific regions, cup profile matching, experimental processing, consistent volume programs, or private lot selection at origin. Contact us before or during harvest season for best results.

Yes, we provide lot information sheets, photos from origin, producer stories, regional context, and shareable social content. We're happy to collaborate on materials that connect your customers with Ethiopian coffee's rich heritage.

1. Browse our Current Offerings.
2. Purchase samples directly from any product page via PayPal.
3. Contact us to discuss terms and logistics.