Shipping Information

OUTBOUND LOGISTICS

Cafe Imports Australia can ship your coffee anywhere on this, or another, continent. We can orchestrate the entire shipping process, leaving you free to roast and sell coffee, not spend valuable time searching out freight companies and calling for rates. We have an excellent network of shippers, and pass on our bulk rates directly to you.

•    We partner with a third-party warehouse in Melbourne whose attention to detail matches ours in the office.
•    Generally, all orders placed before 12pm AEST will be dispatched the following business day.

Your coffee is placed on wooden pallets secured with plastic stretch wrap for its journey. We are proud to say that less than 1/10th of 1 percent of bags arrives damaged. If you notice any damage or have any disputes about the quality of your coffee when it is delivered, please notify the driver before signing any receipt paperwork, and reach out to us immediately at australia@cafeimports.com, or by phone at +011 61 3 9428 6956. We will file any  claims with the trucking line on your behalf.

OUTBOUND LOGISTICS F.A.Q.

Q: What is the minimum size of order you will ship?

A: There is no minimum order: We’re as happy to ship 1 bag to you as we are to ship 100.

Q: How do full bags of coffee ship?

A: Full bags of coffee (59–70kg) will be stacked on a wooden pallet and wrapped with plastic stretch wrap. Even single-bag orders will typically need to be shipped on a pallet. Your coffee is palletized in the warehouse, and our warehouse partners will give your order their full attention, whether it’s one bag or 250 bags

Q: Will Cafe Imports Australia arrange shipping to my location?

A: Yes! We have competitive rates with many international freight carriers, and can work with you to ensure you get the delivery service that you need, whether you’re in Australia, New Zealand, or Asia.

Q: Can I arrange my own shipping?

A: Sure! Just let us know your preferred freight carrier, and we’ll be happy to liaise with them to ensure a smooth dispatch.

Q: What size are your pallets?

A: Our pallets are standard shipping pallets 1.2m x 1.2m and can be packed up to 1.5m high. Our wooden pallets weigh approximately 30kg each.

Q: How many bags can fit on a pallet?

A: Depending on the size of the coffee bags, we can generally fit between 14–16 bags on each pallet. However, the total pallet weight cannot exceed 1,000kg including pallet and wrapping weight.

Q: What should I do when the delivery arrives?

A: Before you sign off on the delivery release for any shipment of coffee, thoroughly inspect the pallet and the bags on it. If there is any damage or any discrepancies between what is delivered and what is on your delivery order, do not sign the driver’s paperwork. Simply call us at +(03) 9428 6956 to be connected with your sales representative.

When in doubt, take a photograph of the damage as soon as possible, and e-mail it to your sales rep, or to australia@cafeimports.com.

Q: What do I do if there is damage or another problem with my delivery?

A: We are dedicated to full customer service, and want you to be completely satisfied with the coffees you receive from us. If you have any questions or concerns about an order you have received, don’t hesitate to let us know via e-mail to australia@cafeimports.com, and we will do our level best to make it right.

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS

We have an extremely experienced team of logistics specialists that are very well suited to handle international orders of all sizes ranging from container loads to single pallets from all of our international warehouses. Phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, freight, and even clearance can be handled by us for your shipment. You taste the coffees, decide what you like, and we will handle the rest.

INBOUND LOGISTICS: F.A.Q.

Cafe Imports has been sourcing green coffee from all over the world for nearly 25 years, and here are some of the things we’ve learned along the way about getting a bag of green coffee from a coffee producing country to our international warehouses:

Q: How does green coffee travel from origin to destination?

A: Once harvested, processed, and milled, green coffee makes the long journey from origin all the way to its destination thousands of miles away. Bagged coffee is transported from the dry mill where it stored after harvest to the closest ocean port. In some cases, coffee travels hundreds of miles by land on a truck before it even reaches the port of departure.

At the port, the coffee is checked by the relevant authorities and loaded onto a containerized ocean vessel with hundreds of other shipments heading the same direction. After a stop or two in other ports, the coffee will arrive at its destination and be transported to a warehouse where it can be unloaded and inventoried.

The length of this journey will vary, but coffee can take anywhere from 4–12 weeks to arrive in its final destination.

Q: With so many moving pieces in the shipping process, how does Cafe Imports Australia ensure that coffee is shipped quickly, efficiently, and safely?

A: The Cafe Imports Australia traffic team is committed to making sure that the coffee we purchase is transported to destination in the most optimal way possible. For us, this means making sure that we:

  • Ship the highest volume possible at one time, for the most economical transport.
  • Monitor shipment transit times closely to make sure that we are selecting the fastest possible routes from origin.
  • Track shipments throughout the entire transport process, from their departure from the mill at origin all the way through the warehouse receipt at destination.
  • Cooperate with reliable and well-known shippers, ocean carriers, and warehouses to ensure the safety of every shipment.
Q: What ports does Cafe Imports use to bring in green coffee?

A: Cafe Imports brings green coffee to more than seven ports around the world. Port selection depends on the final destination of the coffee and what location will be most economical for both Cafe Imports and our customers.

Q: How many warehouses does Cafe Imports Australia use?

A: Cafe Imports Australia’s primary warehouse is Global Freight Australia, located in Truganina VIC.

Q: Where can I find out more about customs and import regulations for my country?

A: As raw green coffee is considered an agricultural product by the large majority of countries, the best place to look is the agricultural department or bureau of your respective country. Local customs brokers can also be an excellent source of information with regard to import regulations and shipment management.

Q: What regulations does Cafe Imports Australia have to meet to import green coffee?

A: As an importer, Cafe Imports must maintain a customs bond with the Australian government, as well as comply with the relevant regulations to clear customs each time a shipment is brought into the country. Internationally, our offices and warehousing complies with all local governing bodies and can provide all necessary documentation required for importing and sale.

Q: What challenges may arise when transporting green coffee? (port backups, lack of space, etc)

A: As with any international shipment, green-coffee shipments are subject to lack of space on ocean carriers, congestion at ocean ports, unforeseen weather, and difficulties at origin (e.g. mill breakdowns or lack of transport equipment).

Cafe Imports’ traffic department works to combat these issues by maintaining close relationships with representatives at ocean carriers, working closely with our partners origin, and not being afraid to get creative when a solution seems far from reach. Additionally, we keep managing expectations at the top of our priority list—keeping the customer informed of unforeseen shipment delays is extremely important to us.

Q: What do the statuses of “OPEN,” “AFLOAT,” and “AT DOCK” mean?

A: There are several industry-wide terms used to describe the current status of a coffee that has been contracted for purchase.

  • OPEN: The coffee is still at origin and will be heading to Cafe Imports Australia within the contracted time period.
  • AFLOAT: The coffee has departed origin and is on its way here.
  • AT DOCK: This coffee has arrived at its destination port and should be available to ship out of the warehouse within a week or two.
  • IN STORE: Coffee has arrived and been stripped from its container, placed in our warehouse in an organized fashion and ready for purchase and immediate release.