Shipping Information

OUTBOUND LOGISTICS

Cafe Imports Europe 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 warehouse in several locations worldwide, including Antwerp, Belgium, and London, U.K.
  • Local customers can pick up coffee themselves; please inquire with europe@cafeimports.com for more information.

Your coffee is strapped to wooden pallets and wrapped in our warehouse for its journey. We are proud to say that less than 1/10th of 1 percent of bags arrive 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 europe@cafeimports.com, or by phone at +49(0)30 69534436. 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 a single bag as we are to ship 100. (Though shipping rates are more economical on full-pallet orders.)

Q: How do full bags of coffee ship?

A: Full bags of coffee (59–70kg) will be stacked, wrapped, and strapped onto a wooden pallet. Even single-bag orders will typically need to be shipped on a pallet. The coffee is palletized in our warehouses, and we routinely inspect the quality as well as provide customer support upon receipt of the pallet.

Q: Can I arrange my own shipping?

A: Sure! Simply inform your sales representative that you would like to elect your own freight carrier when placing your order.

Q: What size are your pallets?

A: Orders are processed on standard EUR-pallets, which are 120cm x 80cm x14.4cm and weigh 20-25kgs each.

Q: How many bags can fit on a pallet?

A: Depending on the size of the coffee bags, we can generally fit 10 bags on each pallet

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 e-mail your sales representative or europe@cafeimports.com for assistance. When in doubt, take a photograph of the damage as soon as possible.

Additionally, be aware that extra services and accessories provided by the driver may result in additional fees: The use of a lift gate upon delivery, for instance, can incur additional costs. Be sure to communicate with the delivery person, and confirm that the documents you sign list only the accessories you authorize.

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 europe@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 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: How many warehouses does Cafe Imports Europe have?

A: Cafe Imports Europe warehouses coffee at Vollers U.K. in Suffolk, England; and Vollers Hamburg and Schwarze & Consorten in Hamburg, Germany.

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 Europe have to meet to import green coffee?

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

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 Europe 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.