Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormRoasted (Whole Bean)
Industry PositionValue-Added Agricultural Product
Market
Roasted coffee beans in Australia are supplied primarily through domestic roasting and packaging operations serving retail and foodservice channels, alongside imports of finished roasted coffee. The applied Australian customs tariff rate for roasted coffee (HS 0901.21.00 and 0901.22.00) is Free, reducing tariff cost as a barrier for imported product. For biosecurity, DAFF’s BICON import conditions for roasted coffee beans indicate an import permit is not required, but consignments must be clean and packed in clean, new packaging. For food safety and consumer information, imported roasted coffee may be subject to DAFF’s Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS) checks and must comply with FSANZ labelling standards and Australia’s country-of-origin labelling rules for retail sale.
Market RoleDomestic consumption market with strong domestic roasting; duty-free importer of roasted coffee beans
Domestic RoleMature consumer market supplied by domestic roasters and importers across retail and foodservice
SeasonalityYear-round availability; demand and supply are driven more by retail and foodservice purchasing cycles than agricultural seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Whole-bean integrity (low breakage) and low foreign matter are key buyer acceptance points.
- Dry, clean product presentation supports biosecurity and food safety clearance expectations.
Packaging- Consignments should use clean, new packaging consistent with DAFF BICON import conditions for roasted coffee beans.
- Packaged roasted coffee for Australian retail sale typically requires a country-of-origin text statement (tea and coffee are treated as non-priority foods under the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016).
- Labelling must comply with Food Standards Code requirements administered by FSANZ (e.g., food identification and ingredient statement rules where applicable).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas roaster/packer or Australian roaster/packer → import entry (as applicable) → DAFF biosecurity and IFIS referral (as applicable) → importer/wholesaler distribution → retail and foodservice channels
Temperature- Protect from heat and moisture to reduce aroma loss and quality degradation during storage and transit.
Atmosphere Control- Oxygen and moisture control packaging practices are commonly used to preserve aroma and slow staling; packaging choices also support label compliance and traceability.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImported roasted coffee beans can be delayed, held, or refused entry if they do not meet DAFF biosecurity import conditions (e.g., not clean/free of debris, non-compliant packaging) or if they fail IFIS inspection/testing and labelling checks against Australian requirements (Food Standards Code and country-of-origin labelling for retail).Validate the exact BICON import conditions for the intended coffee scenario, ensure consignments are clean and in clean/new packaging, and pre-check retail labels against FSANZ labelling standards and ACCC country-of-origin labelling rules; be prepared to hold goods and respond quickly to any IFIS Food Control Certificate directions.
Labor & Human Rights MediumCoffee supply chains in some producing countries have documented child labor and/or forced labor risks, creating reputational and customer-compliance exposure for Australian importers and roasters.Conduct origin- and supplier-level due diligence (including third-party social audits where appropriate), require contractual supplier codes of conduct, and align reporting to the Modern Slavery Act 2018 expectations for covered entities; consider credible certification or verified sourcing programs where suitable.
Market Volatility MediumCoffee is a volatile commodity and climate and pest/disease shocks in producing origins can increase input cost volatility for Australian roasted-coffee supply chains.Use diversified origin sourcing, forward contracting/price risk management where feasible, and product-mix flexibility (blend reformulation) to manage supply and pricing shocks.
Sustainability- Upstream climate and weather variability in coffee-growing origins can disrupt supply and pricing; Fairtrade ANZ highlights coffee farmer exposure to variable weather, pests/disease and climate change.
- Climate-related volatility can increase procurement and pricing risk for Australian roasters and importers relying on imported coffee supply chains.
Labor & Social- Upstream labor risk: the U.S. Department of Labor (ILAB) List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor includes coffee in multiple origin countries (e.g., documented child labor and/or forced labor risks in some coffee-producing regions).
- Buyer compliance theme in Australia: modern slavery risk reporting is relevant for larger businesses through the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018, with statements housed on the Australian Government’s Modern Slavery Statements Register.
FAQ
Do roasted coffee beans require an Australian biosecurity import permit?DAFF guidance and BICON import conditions indicate that an import permit is not required for roasted coffee beans (not digested through an animal), provided the goods meet the listed biosecurity conditions such as being clean and packed in clean, new packaging.
What is the Australian tariff rate for importing roasted coffee beans?The Australian Border Force Schedule 3 tariff listings show the duty rate is Free for roasted coffee under HS 0901.21.00 (not decaffeinated) and 0901.22.00 (decaffeinated).
Can imported roasted coffee be held for inspection before it can be sold in Australia?Yes. DAFF operates the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS), which can refer imported food for inspection and testing; if referred, DAFF issues a Food Control Certificate and the food must remain on hold until cleared, including label checks for Australian requirements.