Is there import duty on green coffee in the UK?

No. Under the UK Global Tariff, green (not roasted, not decaffeinated) coffee under commodity code 0901 11 00 00 has a 0% third-country duty.

Do I pay VAT on imported green coffee?

Import VAT follows the domestic rate for the goods. Coffee beans are zero-rated food in the UK, so import VAT on green coffee is normally zero. Your customs agent will confirm on the declaration.

Do I need an EORI number to import coffee?

Yes, the importer needs a GB EORI number to import into Great Britain.

Does green coffee need a phytosanitary certificate?

It depends on the current plant health risk category for the product. Check the UK Plant Health Information Portal or ask APHA before the first shipment.

Importing green coffee into the UK: EORI, customs, duty and documents

Green coffee carries no UK import duty, but it still needs an EORI number, a customs declaration, the right documents and a plan for plant health and organic checks. The process, step by step.

9 min read Updated 9 October 2026

Importing your own green coffee is mostly paperwork and logistics. Duty is zero on unroasted coffee, but a shipment that arrives without the right registration, declaration or documents sits in port and costs storage by the day. This guide covers imports into Great Britain; Northern Ireland has different arrangements.

The rules in brief

Item	Green coffee (not roasted, not decaffeinated)
Commodity code	0901 11 00 00
UK Global Tariff duty	0% for all origins
Import VAT	Charged at the rate that applies to the goods in the UK; coffee beans are zero-rated food
Roasted coffee, for comparison	0901 21 00 00, third-country duty 6% unless a preference applies
Registration needed	A GB EORI number for the importer

Check the current rates on the UK Trade Tariff before each new type of shipment; rates and codes can change. Decaffeinated green coffee has its own code.

Step by step

Get a GB EORI number for the business that will be the importer. It is free and applied for on GOV.UK.
Appoint a customs agent or freight forwarder to make the import declaration on your behalf. Most importers of small volumes do this rather than declaring themselves.
Agree the Incoterm with the exporter so it is clear who books and pays for freight and insurance and where risk passes. See contracts and Incoterms.
Check plant health requirements for the shipment before it sails (see below).
Collect the documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, and any plant health or organic certificates required.
Arrange cargo insurance if the Incoterm leaves the risk with you.
Your agent lodges the declaration and tells you of any VAT or charges due. Pay port and handling charges promptly to avoid storage.
Book haulage from the port to your premises or a bonded or food-grade warehouse.
Take an arrival sample and cup it against the pre-shipment sample before accepting the coffee. See samples.
Keep the records: declarations, invoices and certificates, for HMRC and for traceability.

Plant health

Plant products imported into Great Britain are grouped by risk, and some need a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification. Coffee beans for processing are not plants for planting, but the requirements depend on the product's risk category. We could not confirm the current category for green coffee beans from the published risk list, so check it on the UK Plant Health Information Portal, or with APHA, before your first shipment and ask your forwarder to confirm.

Organic coffee

To sell imported coffee as organic in Great Britain, the shipment needs the right organic import documentation and you, or your importer, need organic certification from an approved control body. Follow the current GOV.UK guidance on importing organic food, which explains the certificate of inspection process.

If you also sell into the EU

Coffee is one of the commodities covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires due diligence and geolocation data for coffee placed on the EU market. It applies to the EU, not to Great Britain, but exporters and roasters who sell into the EU should check its current application dates and requirements.

Costs to budget

Lines for your landed cost

Ocean or road freight and any origin charges
Cargo insurance
Customs agent fee per declaration
Port and terminal handling, and demurrage or storage if delayed
Haulage to your site
Warehousing if you cannot take the full shipment
Finance cost of paying for coffee months before you sell it

Where Roastnet helps

Questions roasters ask

Is there import duty on green coffee in the UK?: No. Under the UK Global Tariff, green (not roasted, not decaffeinated) coffee under commodity code 0901 11 00 00 has a 0% third-country duty.
Do I pay VAT on imported green coffee?: Import VAT follows the domestic rate for the goods. Coffee beans are zero-rated food in the UK, so import VAT on green coffee is normally zero. Your customs agent will confirm on the declaration.
Do I need an EORI number to import coffee?: Yes, the importer needs a GB EORI number to import into Great Britain.
Does green coffee need a phytosanitary certificate?: It depends on the current plant health risk category for the product. Check the UK Plant Health Information Portal or ask APHA before the first shipment.

Official sources

Rules change. These sources were checked on 9 October 2026; always confirm the current position with the body that publishes them before you act.