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How to Import Coffee to Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide for Importers
Learn how to import coffee to Canada successfully. This guide covers import regulations, customs duties, documentation, and best practices for sourcing quality coffee beans.
Importing coffee to Canada starts with the product you intend to sell and the route it will take. But if you’re aiming to bring coffee into Canada - whether as a business venture or for your own roastery - the journey involves more than just picking a supplier and placing an order. Navigating customs, regulations, shipping logistics, and quality assurance can seem overwhelming if you’re just getting started.
This step-by-step guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to import coffee to Canada - making the process clear, manageable, and (almost) as satisfying as that first cup.
This step-by-step guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to import coffee to Canada - making the process clear, manageable, and (almost) as satisfying as that first cup.
1. Know What Coffee Products You Can Import
Start with the exact product you plan to import:
Use CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to check the commodity, origin, Canadian destination and end use. Match the result to the actual ingredients, processing and packaging of your SKU before arranging the shipment.
- Green, unroasted coffee beans
- Plain roasted beans or ground coffee
- Pure soluble coffee
- Prepared mixes or drinks, including products with sugar, creamer or other ingredients
Use CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to check the commodity, origin, Canadian destination and end use. Match the result to the actual ingredients, processing and packaging of your SKU before arranging the shipment.
2. CFIA Guidelines & Food Safety
Build the supplier evidence around the exact product and lot:
Use CFIA’s food-import guide to determine the applicable preventive controls, written-plan and traceability requirements for your activity. If the product is sold as organic, verify the relevant product certificate and follow Canada Organic Regime import requirements for declaring it with the shipment.
- Ingredient and product specifications
- Processing, storage and transport controls
- Supplier and lot identifiers, with records linking received products to their onward sale
Use CFIA’s food-import guide to determine the applicable preventive controls, written-plan and traceability requirements for your activity. If the product is sold as organic, verify the relevant product certificate and follow Canada Organic Regime import requirements for declaring it with the shipment.
3. Licenses and Permits
Customs registration: Commercial importers need a CARM Client Portal account, a nine-digit business number (BN9) and an import program account (RM).
Food licence: An SFC licence is generally required for commercial food imports, including retail roasted or soluble coffee. A qualifying unprocessed coffee-bean shipment may be exempt when it is for further processing into a beverage, is not consumer prepackaged, and carries the required “For Further Preparation Only” label.
Check the full CFIA licensing conditions and exceptions for your activity; personal-use and evaluation-sample exceptions have their own limits and do not cover an ordinary commercial retail order.
Food licence: An SFC licence is generally required for commercial food imports, including retail roasted or soluble coffee. A qualifying unprocessed coffee-bean shipment may be exempt when it is for further processing into a beverage, is not consumer prepackaged, and carries the required “For Further Preparation Only” label.
Check the full CFIA licensing conditions and exceptions for your activity; personal-use and evaluation-sample exceptions have their own limits and do not cover an ordinary commercial retail order.
4. Labeling Requirements
For consumer prepackaged coffee, check the common name, net quantity, business identity and the ingredient/allergen information required for the product using CFIA’s food-labelling checklist. Mandatory consumer-pack information generally needs English and French; shipping-container and other bilingual exceptions depend on the pack and how it is sold.
Wholly foreign-manufactured food must identify that it is imported through an allowed labelling method; a separate country-of-origin statement is mandatory for specified foods, not every coffee pack. Check Nutrition Facts requirements and exemption conditions for the actual recipe and label claims rather than treating plain coffee and a sweetened mix as the same product. For sweetened mixes, also check whether a front-of-package nutrition symbol is required under the current rules.
Wholly foreign-manufactured food must identify that it is imported through an allowed labelling method; a separate country-of-origin statement is mandatory for specified foods, not every coffee pack. Check Nutrition Facts requirements and exemption conditions for the actual recipe and label claims rather than treating plain coffee and a sweetened mix as the same product. For sweetened mixes, also check whether a front-of-package nutrition symbol is required under the current rules.
5. Customs Clearance and Duties
Determine the product’s Canadian ten-digit tariff classification and the tariff treatment supported by its origin using CBSA’s duties-and-taxes guide. Green beans, roasted coffee and soluble preparations must be classified from their actual composition; a six-digit example does not settle the full Canadian entry.
Duties and GST are separate checks. CRA lists coffee beans among zero-rated basic groceries, so GST must not be added automatically to every coffee shipment; use the applicable tax treatment and accounting code for the exact goods.
Keep the invoice, packing list and relevant transport documents consistent, and use the CBSA commercial-import guide for release and accounting steps.
Duties and GST are separate checks. CRA lists coffee beans among zero-rated basic groceries, so GST must not be added automatically to every coffee shipment; use the applicable tax treatment and accounting code for the exact goods.
Keep the invoice, packing list and relevant transport documents consistent, and use the CBSA commercial-import guide for release and accounting steps.
Bill of Landing example
6. Shipping Logistics & Transportation
Ask your freight forwarder to compare the complete sea, air or combined route for the actual carton quantity and delivery address. For sea freight, compare FCL and LCL options including the onward inland leg; confirm handling charges, planned transit dates and responsibility for each stage.
Agree packing that protects the coffee from moisture, contamination and handling damage, and coordinate the documents needed before arrival. Port, airport and inland-terminal choices should follow the booked route, rather than assuming that the delivery city is the vessel’s arrival port.
Agree packing that protects the coffee from moisture, contamination and handling damage, and coordinate the documents needed before arrival. Port, airport and inland-terminal choices should follow the booked route, rather than assuming that the delivery city is the vessel’s arrival port.
7. Finding Reliable Coffee Suppliers
Your supplier’s reliability directly affects your coffee’s quality and your reputation in the Canadian market. When sourcing abroad, whether in Vietnam, Brazil, Ethiopia or Colombia, vet your partners for quality, certifications, logistical experience, and responsiveness.
If Vietnam is on your radar, get an overview of reputable exporters in Top Coffee Supply Companies: A Global Overview for Importers of Retail-Ready Brands.
If Vietnam is on your radar, get an overview of reputable exporters in Top Coffee Supply Companies: A Global Overview for Importers of Retail-Ready Brands.
8. Practical Tips for Successful Coffee Importing
A few lessons from those who’ve gone before you:
- Order samples before a large purchase; cup each batch to confirm it meets your flavor and quality expectations.
- Ask for documentation - origin certificates, lab test results, and export/compliance paperwork.
- Allow for lead time. Shipping and customs clearance can be unpredictable, especially with global supply chain disruptions.
- Stay up to date: Canadian food import regulations may change. Subscribe to CFIA alerts or work with an expert customs broker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I import coffee to Canada from Vietnam or Southeast Asia?
Check the exact coffee format, ingredients, origin and end use in AIRS and prepare the documents for that result.
Do I have to register my coffee business before importing?
For a commercial import, set up the CARM, BN9 and RM accounts. Determine SFC licensing separately; the unprocessed-bean, personal-use and evaluation exceptions apply only when their conditions are met.
Are there tariffs or GST on coffee imports?
Check customs classification, origin and tax treatment for the actual product. Coffee beans are a CRA example of zero-rated basic groceries; that does not set the treatment of every prepared coffee product.
Do I need to test my coffee in Canada before selling?
Determine checks from the product hazards, specification and applicable import requirements, and keep the supplier or test evidence for those checks. Tasting a sample tests product fit and does not replace the importer’s food-safety controls.
Check the exact coffee format, ingredients, origin and end use in AIRS and prepare the documents for that result.
Do I have to register my coffee business before importing?
For a commercial import, set up the CARM, BN9 and RM accounts. Determine SFC licensing separately; the unprocessed-bean, personal-use and evaluation exceptions apply only when their conditions are met.
Are there tariffs or GST on coffee imports?
Check customs classification, origin and tax treatment for the actual product. Coffee beans are a CRA example of zero-rated basic groceries; that does not set the treatment of every prepared coffee product.
Do I need to test my coffee in Canada before selling?
Determine checks from the product hazards, specification and applicable import requirements, and keep the supplier or test evidence for those checks. Tasting a sample tests product fit and does not replace the importer’s food-safety controls.
In Summary
Start with the exact SKU, then confirm its import requirements, business registrations, packaging and documents before placing the commercial order. Keep the supplier specification and shipment records aligned so the buying, freight and receiving teams work from the same product details.
Considering MR.VIET for your Canadian range? Discuss the coffee format, sales channel and destination with our wholesale team.
Considering MR.VIET for your Canadian range? Discuss the coffee format, sales channel and destination with our wholesale team.
