HS Code 090111: Inside the Green Coffee Supply Chain and How Global Leaders File Their Imports
What HS Code 090111 Actually Covers
HS Code 090111 is the internationally recognized customs classification for coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated. In plain terms, it applies to raw green coffee beans that retain their natural caffeine content. This heading excludes roasted coffee (which falls under 090121) and decaffeinated unroasted coffee (090112). Although the textual scope is straightforward, the practical application of this code reveals a world of strategic trade compliance.
Real-World Declarations: What the Industry Leaders File
Customs filings rarely use sterile language. TradeMagellan’s customs database shows that many of the most influential coffee buyers consistently rely on HS Code 090111 for their green coffee imports – but their declared product descriptions often include buyer‑specific commercial phrasing. Below are examples from recent shipments linked to five major players.
| Importer of Record | Sample Product Description Declared |
|---|---|
| OLAM INTERNATIONAL LTD. | COFFEE |
| LOUIS DREYFUS COMPANY ASIA PTE. LTD. | COFFEE BEANS, RAW, NOT DECAFFEINATED AND COFF EE |
| STARBUCKS MANUFACTURING CORP. | COFFEE |
| NEUMANN GRUPPE USA, INC. | INDONESIA GREEN BEAN COFFEE |
| OLAM AMERICAS LLC | COFFEE |
The entries range from a concise “COFFEE” (used by both OLAM entities and Starbucks Manufacturing Corp.) to more granular phrasing like “COFFEE BEANS, RAW, NOT DECAFFEINATED AND COFF EE” and “INDONESIA GREEN BEAN COFFEE.” Despite the varying levels of detail, all these shipments correctly map to HS Code 090111 because the core product remains unroasted, caffeinated coffee beans.
These filings demonstrate that customs authorities accept both broad and descriptive commercial names – but always within the same chapters. When a multinational trader such as Louis Dreyfus specifies “raw, not decaffeinated,” it leaves no room for ambiguity, while a simple “COFFEE” still passes under the same code as long as the shipment’s physical characteristics match the heading.
Why Studying the Import Patterns of Leading Firms Reduces Misclassification Risk
Misclassifying a product under the wrong HS code can trigger costly audits, shipment holds, or penalties. Even a well‑meaning trader can incorrectly assign, for example, a partially roasted product to 090111. By analyzing the real filings of top‑tier companies like Starbucks Manufacturing Corp. or Neumann Gruppe, importers and compliance teams can benchmark their own classification decisions.
TradeMagellan’s data reveals that these organizations – each with dedicated trade compliance departments – overwhelmingly select HS Code 090111 for their conventional green bean imports. If your supply chain handles similar raw coffee, aligning your tariff code with the practice of these market leaders provides a strong compliance starting point. It doesn’t replace legal advice, but it offers a practical, evidence‑based reference.
Moreover, the subtle differences in product descriptions highlight an important lesson: a declaration like “INDONESIA GREEN BEAN COFFEE” can coexist with a generic “COFFEE” under the same 6‑digit code. This flexibility is permissible, yet always requires that the physical cargo stays within the official definition. TradeMagellan’s platform helps users see exactly how peers phrase their goods, reducing the chance of a mismatch that could delay a container at the border.
