Sourcing roasted ground coffee from China

Duty on roasted ground coffee

Heading 0901 covers coffee whether roasted or unroasted, decaffeinated or not, alongside coffee husks, skins and substitutes containing coffee. This guide concerns plain roasted ground coffee. The table shows buying specifications sharing the roasted-coffee codes. For the wider product family, see sourcing coffee beans.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, roasted coffee from China carried 6% under 0901 21 00 00 when not decaffeinated and 8% under 0901 22 00 00 when decaffeinated. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for these lines. Coffee is zero-rated for VAT.

The tariff attaches an organic-products import control. Confirm whether organic coffee needs a certificate of inspection with your organic control body; such certificates are issued by the exporter’s control body in the exporting country. Your importing company must be based and certified in the UK. Confirm the certificate and clearance arrangements with your organic control body and customs broker before shipment. Use the product composition and decaffeination status to confirm your commodity code.

Specify the roast, grind and freshness

Specify the bean species, origin, blend, roast profile and decaffeination status. Name the intended brewing method and agree a grind distribution rather than relying on descriptions such as fine or medium. Approve a sample brewed with your own equipment and record the recipe used for comparison.

Agree roast and grinding records, remaining shelf life on arrival, pack weight, sealing method and valve or nitrogen-flushed packaging. Ask the supplier to demonstrate how the packed coffee retains its aroma. Keep a sealed reference sample and compare production samples before shipment and on arrival.

Confirm the applicable ochratoxin A limits, acrylamide mitigation measures and benchmark levels, and pesticide maximum residue levels with the relevant food authority. Request batch-linked safety reports and the roaster’s process records; discuss the testing scope through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of roasted ground coffee in sealed valve bags under 0901 21 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,800. Duty at 6% is £1,548. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,348, so it is £5,469.60. Import taxes total £7,017.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,548 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Most food for human consumption is zero-rated, and animal feed can be too, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product in HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14.

Inspection checklist

Grind: compare the particle distribution and brewing performance with the approved sample; check for excess fines, coarse particles and foreign matter.

Freshness: brew arrival samples using the agreed recipe; compare aroma, flavour and roast consistency, and investigate stale or musty notes.

Packaging: check seals, valve attachment, leakage, pack weights and moisture damage; inspect cartons for odours that could transfer to the coffee.

Labels and records: check the food name, net quantity, best-before date and importer’s name and address. For a food business operator outside the UK, include the UK importer’s address. Match batch records and safety reports to the delivered stock.

What goes wrong

A sample can brew well while the production grind clogs filters or runs too quickly through the buyer’s equipment. An altered blend or darker roast changes flavour even when the pack looks identical. Put the approved brewing method and sample comparison into the purchase specification.

Weak seals, damaged valves and unsuitable storage let roasted ground coffee lose aroma or absorb odours. On arrival, separate leaking, wet or suspect stock for assessment and compare sealed samples before accepting the batch. A printed organic claim does not replace the import certificate or business certification.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.