Do I Have to Declare Coffee at Customs?

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Do I have to declare coffee at Customs?
Coffee (Roasted, Green, Whole, Seeds, Plant Parts. Roasted Coffee: Travelers are permitted to bring unlimited quantities of roasted coffee in their luggage without restriction through any U.S. port of entry. However, as with all agricultural products, you must declare the product at entry.
Read more on www.aphis.usda.gov

Traveling abroad allows coffee enthusiasts to experience new coffee flavors and diverse coffee cultures. Travelers might be curious about whether they need to disclose their coffee purchases at customs when they return home. Yes, regardless of how much is purchased, coffee is subject to declaration at customs.

Travelers entering the country with agricultural products must declare them to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the United States. Since coffee is a product of plants, it comes into this category. A $10,000 fine may be imposed for failing to disclose coffee. Additionally, coffee that is not declared to and inspected by CBP runs the risk of bringing in pests or viruses that could hurt the nation’s agriculture sector.

The price of shipping coffee varies based on the weight and mode of delivery. Usually, coffee is transported in sizable containers with a capacity of up to 20 metric tons. A container of coffee may cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to ship, depending on the distance and shipping firm. The quantity of coffee bags that can fit into a shipping container depends on the size of the bags. A container may hold up to 320 normal coffee bags, each of which weighs 60 kg. To sum up, 19,200 kg of coffee may be transported in a shipping container.

One of the biggest industries in the world, coffee brings in billions of dollars annually. The market for coffee was valued at $102.15 billion worldwide in 2019; by 2027, it is expected to grow to $155.64 billion. Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Honduras, and Ethiopia are the top exporters of coffee, with Brazil being the biggest.

Speaking of exports, different nations export different amounts of coffee. Coffee exports from Brazil were 40.3 million bags in 2019, Vietnam exported 29.5 million bags, and Colombia exported 13.3 million bags. Contrarily, the United States is a net importer of coffee with more imports than exports.

To avoid fines and safeguard the agricultural sector, travelers should always declare their coffee purchases at customs. Coffee can be expensive to ship, and a container can accommodate up to 320 bags of coffee. The coffee industry contributes significantly to the world economy and brings in billions of dollars annually. The biggest exporter of coffee is Brazil, and the US is a net importer of the bean.

FAQ
Which state produces the most coffee?

Hawaii is the state that produces the most coffee in the country. Florida, Texas, and California come after it.

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