Green coffee
How to buy green coffee
Four tiers, four mechanisms. Which one applies to you depends on volume, and on whether the coffee you want has already landed.
Which buying tier applies to me?
Volume decides it. Under 50 lb is boxed and ships by parcel; 1 to 20 bags is a small lot on a pallet; 20 to 200 bags is a quoted pallet-to-partial-container order; 275 bags and above is a full container or a forward contract.
| Tier | Quantity | Buyer | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxed | 10 to 50 lb | Nano roasters, cafés testing a profile | Checkout, parcel |
| Small lot | 1 to 20 bags | Small and mid roasters | Checkout, LTL pallet |
| Pallet to partial container | 20 to 200 bags | Mid to large roasters | Quote, then invoice |
| Full container and forward | 275+ bags | Importers, traders, large roasters | Quote and contract |
Why can I not buy a single bag of the 2027 position?
Because parcel and pallet freight cannot start at origin. Transactional buying needs coffee that has already shipped, cleared customs and landed in a destination warehouse. Until the first position arrives, container and forward contracts are the routes that exist.
Any seller offering checkout on coffee still sitting at origin is either drop-shipping from somebody else’s warehouse or has not thought it through. We would rather state plainly which lots qualify.
Which lots can be bought transactionally right now?
None. There is no US-landed spot inventory yet, and the first position lands in May 2027. The list below is live — as soon as a lot clears into a destination warehouse it appears here and becomes available at the boxed and small-lot tiers.
No US-landed spot inventory at present.
The first position lands in May 2027. Transactional buying needs coffee already cleared into a destination warehouse — until then, container and forward contracts are the routes available.
2027 Harvest Forward BookOnline checkout is not open yet. It switches on with the first US-landed inventory, and the offer list is how you will hear about it.
What payment terms come with each tier?
Terms scale with order size and with relationship. Card and ACH at the boxed and small-lot tiers, ACH or net 30 on approved credit for pallets, and letter of credit, cash against documents or open account at container scale once a trading history exists.
| Tier | Payment terms | Credit check |
|---|---|---|
| Boxed | Card or ACH, prepaid | No |
| Small lot | Card or ACH, prepaid | No |
| Pallet to partial container | ACH, or net 30 on approved credit | Yes, for terms |
| Full container and forward | LC, cash against documents, or open account with history | Yes |
Apply for a trade account Pricing and contracts Request samples
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a single bag of green coffee?
Only from US-landed inventory. Boxed and small-lot buying needs coffee already cleared and sitting in a destination warehouse, because parcel and pallet freight cannot start at origin. Our spot list shows which lots currently qualify; forward lots cannot be bought this way.
How many bags fit in a container?
A 20' FCL of green coffee in 60 kg jute bags conventionally holds 275 bags, which is 16.5 metric tons. Our confirmed 2027 position of 5,000 bags is 300 metric tons, or approximately 15 to 18 containers depending on stuffing and packaging.
Do I need an import licence to buy green coffee?
In the United States you need to be registered with FDA as a food importer, file Prior Notice for each shipment and run an FSVP programme with a named qualified individual. Requirements differ by country. Buying US-landed spot coffee removes all of this.
How do I get samples before committing?
Request samples through the sample form, which asks what you roast, at what volume and on what timeline so we send something relevant. For forward positions, pre-shipment samples ship after milling; register on the sample list to be included in the first draw.
Request green offerings
Tell us what you roast and at what volume, and we will send the current position with a basis.
Request green offeringsRequest a private label capabilities packet
Formats, minimums, lead times and certification status, in one document.
Request the capabilities packet