How to ship coffee beans internationally

Shipping coffee internationally sounds simple – until your beans get stuck at customs, arrive late, or cost you more to ship than they’re worth. The global coffee trade is booming, with exports reaching $42.3 billion in 2023, up nearly 43% since 2019, presenting a big opportunity for coffee retailers trying to expand their reach. From shipping to cafés overseas to delivering straight to your customers’ doors, getting your product in front of global shoppers has never been easier.

But if you want to get your beans in the hands of customers overseas, there’s more to it than printing a label and hoping for the best. You have to keep your product fresh, navigate complex customs rules and do it all without blowing out your margins. Green beans come with their own biosecurity hurdles, and even roasted coffee can trigger documentation issues if you’re not careful.

In this guide we’ll break down how to ship coffee beans internationally, from regulations and packaging to the best carriers and cost-saving strategies. We’ll also share a couple of real-world examples from AllPress Espresso and Coffee Supreme so you know what success looks like.

Table of contents:

• ​​Can you ship coffee beans internationally?
• What’s the cheapest way to ship coffee internationally?​​
• Top tips for shipping coffee internationally
  • 1. Understand coffee-specific regulations
  • 2. Package coffee for freshness and safe travel
  • 3. Manage documentation for smooth customs clearance
  • 4. Plan for temperature and moisture control
  • 5. Track orders to keep customers in the loop
• Which carriers ship coffee beans internationally?
  • Shipping coffee internationally with DHL
  • Shipping coffee internationally with FedEx
  • Shipping coffee internationally with UPS
• Real world examples of retailers shipping coffee internationally
  • AllPress Espresso
  • Coffee Supreme
• Next steps

Roasted coffee is the more commonly shipped type, and it’s classified as a food product and must comply with each country’s import regulations. For example, when shipping to the United States, your product needs proper FDA labeling and an electronic Prior Notice submission.

In the European Union, coffee imports must meet food safety and labeling standards that include details like origin, ingredients, and shelf life. As long as these requirements are met, roasted coffee is relatively straightforward to send abroad.

Green beans are often shipped to specialty roasters but are subject to more controls. For instance, countries such as Australia and New Zealand apply strict biosecurity measures that require phytosanitary certificates and fumigation treatments. Shipments may also be inspected upon arrival, especially if there’s any sign of pest contamination.

For both types of beans, documentation is non-negotiable. You’ll need a commercial invoice, certificate of origin, and either a bill of lading or an airway bill, depending on the shipping method. Having this paperwork in order helps prevent customs delays and keeps your shipments moving without disruption.

Choose slower delivery

Another cost-saving tactic is to allow for slightly longer delivery times. If your beans are packaged in high-quality degassing bags and freshness isn’t a concern, you can use slower, cheaper delivery. More affordable delivery methods typically take about a week, so it’s important that you communicate these delivery windows clearly to manage customer expectations.

Negotiate better rates with your carriers

Finally, shipping more often and in greater volume can lead to better rates. Carriers are usually open to negotiating pricing if you can demonstrate consistent order volumes or regular shipping schedules. Building that relationship can have a real impact on your bottom line. This is best suited for brands with predictable order volume, so if you’re shipping the same amount every week to the same region, it’s time to open that conversation with your carriers.

Consolidate orders when you can

If you're sending multiple orders to the same destination, especially for international or wholesale deliveries, look for ways to batch them together. Consolidating shipments can help reduce packaging, lower carrier costs, and simplify customs clearance. Using a service like DHL Express BBX (Break Bulk Express) allows you to group multiple orders into a single bulk shipment, while still delivering each one to its end recipient. For subscription models, you could even consider offering a fortnightly option instead of weekly to reduce shipping frequency and cost.

Starshipit tip: You can use Starshipit to compare shipping rates across multiple carriers and services in one place. Smart automation gives you control – enabling you to automatically assign the right carrier for each order, saving time all while keeping costs and speed in check.

1. Understand coffee-specific regulations

Roasted coffee is classified as a food item and must meet the import requirements of the destination country. In the United States, that means submitting a Prior Notice to the FDA and including proper labeling. New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) may require export permits or food safety checks before coffee can leave the country.

For green beans, some extra steps are generally involved. Countries like Australia have strict pest control protocols, which include fumigation or cold storage if pests such as the coffee berry borer are suspected. A phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country is usually required.

Import delays are often caused by incomplete or incorrect labeling. Every label should be easy to read, written in the destination country's language (usually English), and include product name, weight, ingredients, origin, and the name and address of the producer or distributor.

To avoid damage, especially for roasted coffee headed to retail customers, pack your beans in snug inner packaging and then place that inside a larger shipping box with padding. Double-boxing or using sustainable filler materials can help absorb shocks during transport. 

Your packaging does more than protect your beans, it also protects your brand. Nothing erodes customer trust faster than stale or damaged coffee. The right packaging reinforces freshness and quality, even after 7 days in transit.

3. Manage documentation for smooth customs clearance

Manual customs processes might be manageable at low volume, but once you’re shipping larger quantities daily, any mistake in paperwork could stall 100s of orders.

Every international shipment needs proper documentation and at a minimum, you’ll need a Commercial Invoice, a Certificate of Origin, and a Bill of Lading or Air Waybill. Some countries or carriers may also request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for roasted beans, especially if the shipment contains additives or flavourings.

Customs fees and taxes vary depending on the country of destination. For example, the United States often applies a Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) based on the declared value of the shipment. In New Zealand, Goods and Services Tax (GST) may be applied to incoming goods.

Starshipit tip: Automating parts of your customs process for international shipping ensures consistency and keeps parcels moving. Use Starshipit to avoid manual errors and speed up clearance by populating required documents with accurate data pulled from your order management system.

For this reason, air freight is often preferred for roasted coffee because of the shorter transit time. For longer shipping routes, refrigerated containers may be worth considering, especially for premium products.

You can also protect freshness by using nitrogen-flushed packaging or vacuum sealing where appropriate. These methods reduce oxidation and moisture absorption during the journey.

5. Track orders to keep customers in the loop

Shoppers care about freshness and want to know where their order is. Real-time tracking helps you stay ahead of any issues, such as customs delays or weather-related disruptions, and allows for quick communication with your customers if something changes.

Starshipit tip: Starshipit lets you create branded tracking pages and automated shipping notifications, so customers get consistent updates directly from your store. This means fewer “where’s my order” emails, and more trust in your brand.

Which carriers ship coffee beans internationally?

Choosing the right carrier makes all the difference when freshness, compliance, and speed are on the line.

With coffee being time-sensitive, it’s important to work with shipping partners that understand how to handle perishable goods and have the infrastructure to move your product efficiently across borders.

For roasted beans, DHL offers temperature-controlled air freight options, which is especially useful when sending freshly roasted coffee to long-distance markets where freshness is non-negotiable. Their expertise in handling food and agricultural products often translates to faster customs clearance, helping reduce delays that could impact product quality.

DHL recommends that roasted coffee should be packed in airtight bags, while green beans need breathable jute bags to meet shipping standards. DHL is particularly well-suited for premium or time-sensitive shipments that require consistent handling and predictable delivery times.

For roasted beans, FedEx Priority Overnight includes optional temperature control using gel packs or dry ice. This helps preserve freshness, especially for small or high-value shipments. Their customs support and detailed perishable shipping guidelines are especially helpful for businesses shipping food-grade products internationally.

To meet FedEx standards, coffee must be labeled clearly and packaged securely. They provide detailed packaging guides for food and perishables, which makes it easier to get shipments right the first time.

For roasted beans, UPS offers temperature-controlled logistics through its Food Services division. This includes handling practices based on food safety guidelines, which help preserve the flavour and quality of your coffee during transit.

UPS is a practical choice for coffee businesses shipping large volumes, especially those that roast in-house and want to centralise international and domestic logistics.

Starshipit tip: Instead of guessing, use Starshipit’s multi-carrier tools to compare DHL, FedEx, and UPS. With it, you can easily evaluate shipping times and pricing to find the best fit for each particular order.

Real world examples of retailers shipping coffee internationally

What does success look like when it comes to international coffee shipping? Some retailers are already doing this well, using thoughtful logistics strategies and strong partnerships to get fresh coffee into the hands of global customers. These examples show what’s possible with the right setup.

Delivering to over 2,000 locations worldwide, AllPress counts on local logistics to keep things running smoothly. Their network allows them to serve wholesale customers efficiently, and they also offer online orders and coffee subscriptions through regional storefronts.

They roast coffee in Wellington, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which allows them to fulfill both direct-to-consumer and wholesale orders without long delays. They’ve found the sweet spot between speed and quality by matching local production with reliable logistics, and their shipping setup supports growth while staying focused on quality.

Next steps

Shipping coffee internationally is absolutely doable, and with the right systems in place, it can become a valuable part of your growth strategy. Retailers across the globe are already sending roasted and green beans to cafés, wholesalers, and directly to customers without compromising on freshness or their profit.

To get there, focus on the essentials: know the import rules for your target markets, invest in packaging that protects your product, work with carriers that understand food shipments, and keep your customers in the loop from dispatch to delivery.

From customs forms to carrier rules, shipping coffee across borders takes more than a label. Starshipit helps you automate the hard parts, so you can focus on roasting and growing. Start your free 30-day free trial or book a custom demo today to see how it can work for you.