Buyer guide
How to buy coffee and tea from Indonesia
SummaryYou can buy Indonesian green coffee and tea at four scales: samples, retail from 1 kg, wholesale by the sack (coffee 60 kg, tea 25 kg) and full 20 or 40 ft containers. For export, choose FOB (the buyer arranges the vessel and insurance) or CIF (the seller pays freight and insurance to the destination port). Every coffee export must carry an ICO certificate of origin.
Which order sizes are available?
| Scale | Volume | Shipping | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample | A few hundred grams per lot | Courier | Cupping and tasting before ordering |
| Retail | From 1 kg | Courier or domestic cargo | Cafés, small roasters, home brewers |
| Wholesale | From one sack (coffee 60 kg, tea 25 kg) | Road, sea or air cargo | Roasters, distributors, private label |
| Container | 20 or 40 ft | Sea freight, FOB or CIF | Importers and manufacturers |
As a rule of thumb, a 20 ft container usually holds about 320 bags of 60 kg coffee, or roughly 19 tonnes. Many buyers start with samples and retail, then move up to wholesale and containers once the quality fits.
What is the difference between FOB and CIF?
FOB and CIF are Incoterms, the international rules that set who pays for and who carries the risk of shipping.
| FOB (Free On Board) | CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price covers | Goods loaded on board at the Indonesian port | Goods, ocean freight and insurance to the destination port |
| Vessel and insurance | Arranged by the buyer | Arranged by the seller |
| Risk transfers | Once goods are on board | Once goods are on board (even though the seller pays freight) |
| Best for | Importers with their own forwarder | Buyers who want one price to their port |
Not sure which to choose? Select "Help me choose" in the inquiry form and we will compare the costs for your destination.
Which export documents are prepared?
- Commercial invoice: goods, price and terms of sale.
- Packing list: number of bags, net and gross weight per lot.
- PEB (export declaration): the customs filing lodged before loading; its value matches the commercial invoice.
- Bill of Lading (B/L): proof of shipment from the carrier, with container and seal numbers.
- ICO certificate of origin (SKA Form ICO): required for every Indonesian coffee export under Trade Minister Regulation No. 109 of 2018 on coffee exports.
- Phytosanitary certificate: plant-health certificate from quarantine, when the destination country requires it.
- Lot quality results: moisture, defect value or grade, and bean size.
Which HS codes apply?
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0901.11 | Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated (green coffee) |
| 0902.20 | Green tea (not fermented), packings over 3 kg |
| 0902.40 | Black tea (fermented), packings over 3 kg |
Retail packs of 3 kg or less fall under 0902.10 (green tea) and 0902.30 (black tea). Check the import duty in your own country as well.
How do you order from Rasa Nativa Java?
- Send an inquiry: product, order size, volume and destination.
- Receive a price offer and lot specifications.
- Request a sample to cup or taste.
- Agree the contract: volume, terms (domestic, FOB or CIF), schedule and payment.
- The lot is sorted and re-checked before packing.
- Documents are prepared, goods ship, and you receive copies of the documents.
Sources
- Trade Minister Regulation No. 109 of 2018 on coffee exports (pasal.id)
- Shipping, logistics and payment terms (specialtycoffee.id)
- Incoterms 2020 (International Chamber of Commerce)