Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen (Unroasted, Not Decaffeinated)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Green (unroasted) caffeinated coffee beans are not produced in Ireland at commercial scale and are supplied through imports for domestic roasting and distribution. As an EU Member State, Ireland’s market access and compliance requirements are shaped primarily by EU customs procedures and EU food-law obligations for foods of non-animal origin. Irish importers and roasters typically source green coffee via producing-country exporters and international traders, with contracts specifying origin, quality, and delivery terms. From a forward-looking compliance perspective, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) explicitly covers coffee and will require due diligence to place coffee on the EU market by the Regulation’s applicable dates.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with domestic roasting sector
Domestic RoleImported green coffee beans are a key input for Irish coffee roasting and foodservice/retail supply.
SeasonalityYear-round availability via imports; shipment timing reflects origin harvest cycles and contracting rather than Irish seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Buyer specifications commonly reference green-bean physical quality (e.g., defect tolerance, cleanliness) and storage stability for imported lots used by Irish roasters.
Grades- Green-coffee lots are typically purchased against contract grades/specifications set by the buyer (importer/roaster) rather than Irish national grades.
Packaging- Shipped as bagged green coffee (commonly in sacks with protective liners) and containerized for sea freight into the EU, then warehoused for distribution to Irish roasters.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin processing/milling → exporter bagging & container stuffing → sea freight to EU entry → Irish importer warehousing → roasting → packaging → retail/foodservice distribution
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical, but temperature and moisture/condensation control during storage and container handling are important to prevent quality deterioration.
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and humidity control in storage reduce mould/quality risks in green coffee.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life and cup quality are sensitive to moisture ingress, odour contamination, and prolonged storage; FIFO inventory discipline is commonly used by importers/roasters.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighEU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) explicitly covers coffee; failure to complete required due diligence (including traceability and deforestation-free/legality assertions) can block placing green coffee on the Irish/EU market once the Regulation applies (European Commission states entry into application for large/medium operators is 30 December 2026; micro/small operators 30 June 2027).Build EUDR-ready supplier onboarding (geolocation and legality evidence), maintain auditable due-diligence files per lot, and align contracts with required data fields ahead of the applicable date for your operator size.
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with EU food-law requirements for foods of non-animal origin (e.g., contamination, non-compliant pesticide residues, or documentation gaps) can trigger detention, additional checks, rejection, or withdrawal/recall actions in Ireland.Use an importer QA program with documented supplier approval, pre-shipment testing where risk warrants, and a shipment document checklist aligned to Irish Revenue and FSAI guidance.
Logistics MediumContainer-route disruptions and freight-rate volatility can delay arrivals into Ireland and raise landed cost for bagged green coffee, especially when rerouting or congestion affects EU entry ports and onward delivery.Diversify origin/shipping lanes where possible, hold safety stock for core blends, and contract with forwarders for visibility on routing and ETAs.
Sustainability- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) due diligence expectations for coffee placed on the EU market (including Ireland), including deforestation-free and legality requirements.
- Climate-related origin supply shocks (drought/frost/rain anomalies in major producing regions) that transmit into EU/Ireland availability and price volatility.
Labor & Social- Coffee supply chains in some producing origins carry documented risks of child labour, forced labour, and poor working conditions; Irish/EU buyers may require social compliance due diligence and audits depending on sourcing origin and channel requirements.
FAQ
What HS code is typically used for green (unroasted) caffeinated coffee beans?Green (unroasted) coffee that is not decaffeinated is commonly classified under HS 090111. The exact EU tariff/CN code and national declaration details should be confirmed in your customs setup for Ireland.
What documents and import steps are commonly required to bring green coffee beans into Ireland from outside the EU?A customs declaration is required along with commercial documents such as the invoice, packing list, and transport document (for example, a bill of lading). For some foods of non-animal origin that fall under increased controls or emergency measures, additional steps like TRACES NT pre-notification and a CHED-D may apply depending on the specific commodity and origin.
Why does the EU Deforestation Regulation matter for green coffee sold in Ireland?Coffee is explicitly covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation, so operators placing coffee on the EU market (including Ireland) will need to meet deforestation-free and due diligence requirements by the Regulation’s applicable dates for their operator size.