New Policy Trends for Coffee Bean Imports in 2025

According to GACC Announcement No. 68, starting from January 2025, the import tariff rate for green coffee beans will be adjusted from 9% to 7.5%, while the 15% rate for roasted coffee beans remains unchanged. Inspection and quarantine authorities are strengthening the testing standards forAflatoxin B1andOchratoxin A, requiring imported coffee beans to be accompanied by both aCIQ health certificateandand a phytosanitary certificate of originfor double assurance.

Breakdown of the Core Steps in the Full Import Process

• Preliminary Qualification Preparation
  • Apply for an automatic import license (additional approval required for tariff quotas)
  • Confirm the registration status of the overseas supplier in China
• Preparation before cargo arrival at port
  • Create a Chinese label that complies with GB 7718 standards
  • Verify the HS code classification (0901.11/0901.21)
• Key Control Points at the Port of Entry
  • The declaration elements on the customs form must include 9 indicators such as roast level and processing method
  • The container's temperature record must be traceable throughout the journey

Strategies for Dealing with Typical Customs Clearance Problems

In March 2025, a trading company from Yunnan had its imported Colombian coffee beans detained at the port due to amissing nutrition facts table on the label. Clearance was completed after urgently obtaining a third-party test report and paying a security deposit. It is recommended that companies pay attention to the following:

• Pre-packaged foods must have their Chinese labels filed in advance
• ?Ocean shipping?Changes in humidity during transit can lead to quality disputes
• Mixed-origin coffee beans must have their mixing ratio declared separately

Analysis of Professional Agency Service Value

Excellentforeign tradeThe agency should possess:

• A real-time updatedcustoms commodity classification database
• and arapid testing channel
• Apply for exemption from certification (meeting the conditions of the Implementation Rules for Exemption from Compulsory Product Certification)Customs valuation disputewith major port inspection agencies' negotiation ability
• CountermeasureTechnical Barriers to Trade's emergency plan

List of Key Monitored Production Areas for 2025

Based on China Customs risk monitoring data, it is recommended to pay special attention to:

• Vietnam production area: Strengthen moisture content testing (standard ≤12.5%)
• Brazil production area: Verify moisture-proof measures during transport
• Ethiopia production area: Verify biodiversity certificate documents

Cost control and time efficiency management

Through a professional agent, you can save15-20% on demurrage fees:

• Advance declaration can shorten customs clearance time by 2 working days
• Enjoy a 0.5% handling fee reduction for electronic payment of customs duties
• Choosing a designated laboratory for testing can save 3 days on the sample submission cycle