Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormRoasted, ground (medium grind)
Industry PositionConsumer Packaged Food
Market
Medium-ground coffee in Australia is a predominantly import-supplied consumer product, supported by regular inflows of roasted coffee and green coffee for domestic processing. Import access is shaped mainly by DAFF biosecurity conditions (via BICON) and risk-based imported food inspections for safety and labelling compliance. For roasted coffee classified under HS 0901.21/0901.22, the Australian working tariff shows a Free duty rate. Domestic coffee growing exists (notably in Far North Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales), but it is niche relative to national consumption and does not set overall availability patterns.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with domestic roasting and packaging activity
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market with a mix of imported packaged ground coffee and domestically roasted-and-ground products made from imported green coffee
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityYear-round retail availability; domestic harvest is limited and does not drive national seasonality for packaged ground coffee.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Medium grind profile used for common home-brewing methods; exact particle size and intended brew method are set by brand specification.
Packaging- Oxygen- and moisture-barrier packaging (e.g., vacuum packs or sealed bags); packaging format varies by brand and channel.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Roasting & grinding (origin or in-market) → packaged retail units → sea freight to Australia → customs/DAFF referral as applicable → importer warehousing → retail distribution
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; quality protection focuses on avoiding heat exposure and moisture ingress to slow staling.
Atmosphere Control- Oxygen management (e.g., vacuum or inert-gas packing) is commonly used in packaged coffee to slow aroma loss; approach varies by producer.
Shelf Life- Quality is most sensitive to packaging integrity and oxygen exposure; once opened, aroma and flavour degrade faster without resealing.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport clearance can be blocked or severely delayed if consignments do not meet DAFF biosecurity conditions in BICON or are held under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme for safety/labelling verification; non-compliant outcomes can lead to directions that prevent distribution and may require re-export or destruction depending on the failure type.Confirm the exact BICON pathway before shipping, ensure packaging and cleanliness conditions are met, and keep a complete importer dossier (product specs, labels, supplier declarations) ready for IFIS inspection and label review.
Price Volatility MediumGlobal coffee prices can move sharply over short periods (as reflected in ICO Composite Indicator Price reporting), creating landed-cost volatility for importers and retailers.Use forward purchasing/hedging policies where applicable, diversify origin exposure, and align inventory strategy with shelf-life/freshness constraints.
Labor And Human Rights MediumUpstream coffee production in some origins is associated with documented child labor and/or forced labor risks, creating compliance and reputational exposure for brands selling into Australia.Apply supplier due diligence (risk mapping by origin), require credible third-party audits or certification where appropriate, and maintain traceability to farm/co-op/exporter level where feasible.
Sustainability- Climate-driven production variability in major global origins can tighten supply and raise prices, affecting Australia’s import-dependent coffee market.
- Upstream sustainability expectations (e.g., regenerative agriculture and deforestation-risk screening) increasingly influence coffee sourcing programs in parts of the global value chain.
Labor & Social- Coffee is listed by the U.S. Department of Labor (ILAB) as a good associated with child labor and/or forced labor risks in multiple producing countries, creating due-diligence and reputational risk for import supply chains.
FAQ
Does roasted, ground coffee require an Australian biosecurity import permit?DAFF’s guidance indicates roasted coffee beans (ground or unground) generally present lower biosecurity risk and do not require an import permit, but importers still need to follow BICON conditions for their specific scenario. Civet/kopi luwak coffee scenarios can have additional permit and documentation requirements.
Are shipments of imported ground coffee inspected or tested in Australia?They can be. DAFF operates a risk-based Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS) to verify imported foods meet Australian requirements; referred shipments can be held under a Food Control Certificate for inspection, which includes label checks and may include sampling/testing depending on risk settings.
What is the Australian tariff rate for roasted coffee under HS 0901?Australia’s current working tariff shows a Free duty rate for roasted coffee under HS 0901.21.00 (not decaffeinated) and HS 0901.22.00 (decaffeinated).