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A Comprehensive Guide to Importing Coffee to the United Kingdom
Looking to import retail-ready coffee to the UK? This complete guide covers customs, labeling, certifications, and supplier tips to help you get started with confidence.
The United Kingdom has a long-standing love for coffee, with demand for high-quality, retail-ready brands growing steadily across supermarkets, cafes, and independent shops. Whether you're a distributor, importer, or specialty retailer, sourcing packaged coffee from global producers can be a strategic way to meet this rising demand.
From customs clearance and labeling to logistics and supplier selection — this guide walks you through the essentials of importing packaged coffee into the UK market.
From customs clearance and labeling to logistics and supplier selection — this guide walks you through the essentials of importing packaged coffee into the UK market.
1. Determine the Type of Coffee You're Importing
Coffee products are classified differently under UK customs law. Common formats include:
- Green (unroasted) coffee beans
- Roasted whole beans
- Ground coffee
- Instant/soluble coffee
- Retail-packaged, branded coffee
- Ready-to-drink coffee (RTD)
2. Understand UK Import Requirements for Coffee
UK Customs (HMRC)
Coffee imports must be declared through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). While roasted and soluble coffee is usually zero-rated for VAT, proper tariff classification and documentation are essential.
You'll need:
Food Safety Compliance (FSA)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) oversees food safety in the UK. If you’re importing coffee as a food product:
Pre-Import Notification (for some food products)
While roasted coffee doesn’t typically require pre-notification, mixed or flavored products may. Always check with your freight forwarder or customs broker.
Coffee imports must be declared through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). While roasted and soluble coffee is usually zero-rated for VAT, proper tariff classification and documentation are essential.
You'll need:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Certificate of origin (if needed for preference agreements)
Food Safety Compliance (FSA)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) oversees food safety in the UK. If you’re importing coffee as a food product:
- The product must be safe and traceable
- Food business registration is required if you store or sell products in the UK
- Imported coffee may be inspected at Border Control Posts (BCPs)
Pre-Import Notification (for some food products)
While roasted coffee doesn’t typically require pre-notification, mixed or flavored products may. Always check with your freight forwarder or customs broker.
3. Product Labeling Requirements in the UK
Retail-ready coffee must comply with UK food labeling laws. Mandatory elements include:
- Name of the food (e.g., “100% Arabica Ground Coffee”)
- List of ingredients (for flavored or blended products)
- Allergens (if applicable)
- Net quantity in metric units (e.g., 250g)
- Best before or use by date
- Name and address of UK importer
- Country of origin (e.g., “Product of Vietnam”)
- Storage conditions
4. Check for Special Certifications
If your coffee is labeled as organic, it must be certified under the UK’s post-Brexit organic regulations. Imported organic products must:
- Be certified by a UK-approved control body
- Come from a country that the UK has an organic equivalency agreement with (e.g., Vietnam is permitted)
- Include an organic certificate with each shipment
- Fair Trade
- Rainforest Alliance
- Halal
- Kosher
5. Logistics: How to Import Coffee Into the UK
You can choose from several import methods:
Make sure your supplier provides all key documents and can ensure stable quality, consistent packaging standards, and on-time delivery.
- Direct import (FOB, CIF): You manage freight and customs.
- Third-party logistics (3PL): A local partner stores and distributes.
- Wholesale distributor: Partner with a UK-based importer already handling customs and storage.
Make sure your supplier provides all key documents and can ensure stable quality, consistent packaging standards, and on-time delivery.
6. Work With Trusted Coffee Suppliers
Choosing the right supplier is critical. Look for:
For more on selecting the right partner, read our article:
Choosing a Wholesale Coffee Supplier: 7 Key Questions to Ask
- Experience exporting to the UK or EU
- English-language packaging
- Marketing and sales support
- Flexibility on MOQ (minimum order quantity)
- Fast communication
For more on selecting the right partner, read our article:
Choosing a Wholesale Coffee Supplier: 7 Key Questions to Ask
Final Tips for First-Time UK Coffee Importers
- Start with a small shipment to test the market
- Verify all documentation before shipping
- Use a customs broker for the first few imports
- Build relationships with distributors or retailers early
- Keep an eye on changing post-Brexit trade rules
- With the right planning and a strong product, the UK market offers excellent potential for branded, retail-ready coffee.
Looking for a UK-Ready Vietnamese Coffee Brand?
At Mr. Viet, we specialize in bold, retail-ready Vietnamese coffee with international certifications and experience supplying to partners around the world. If you're considering adding Vietnamese coffee to your UK product lineup, let's connect.
Colorful packaging, export-focused production, and mass appeal make Mr. Viet a favorite among international distributors.