I. Market Opportunities for French Coffee Imports and Insights into the International Trade Landscape

In recent years, China’s coffee market has led the globe with an average annual growth rate of 15 %. In 2023, the country imported more than 230,000 t of green beans; French specialty lots—distinguished by unique roasting profiles and estate-traceability systems—account for over 30 % of the offerings in first-tier specialty cafés. On the trade front, under the Sino-French FTA framework, coffee beans (HS 0901 21 00) benefit from an MFN tariff of 8 % (unroasted). When combined with RCEP’s origin-cumulation rules, this creates room for tariff optimization on French coffees. It should be noted that, although the EU’s 2023 New Battery Regulation has not yet directly affected coffee trade, cross-border logistics compliance is tightening; engaging a professional broker can effectively mitigate policy risk.

II.Import Agent ServicesCore Competency: End-to-end document control and logistics chain optimization

(I) Document processing: Dual guarantee of compliance and efficiency

The core documents for importing French coffee include: a Commercial Invoice that must itemize the FOB value, freight, and insurance; a Packing List that must specify the net weight, gross weight, and dimensions of each carton; and a certificate issued by the French authorities.Origin Certificate(Certificate of Origin) is the key document for enjoying tariff preferences; if the EU unified customs territory is involved, it is recommended to apply for the Eur.1 format. The Health Certificate must be certified by the French Directorate General for Food (DGAL), with key information such as "no prohibited pesticides used" prominently indicated.Maritime transportThe Bill of Lading must be checked to ensure that the shipper and consignee information matches the contract, so as to avoid bank refusal due to “discrepancies.” Our in-house agency team includes documentation specialists with over five years of experience who can complete a pre-check of documents three working days in advance. In 2022, we helped a client resolve a customs-clearance delay caused by a misspelled shipper name on the certificate of origin; by submitting an urgent correction letter and cooperating with customs verification, the shipment was released within 48 hours.

(II) Logistics Management: Multimodal Transport and Cost-Optimization Solutions

Transportation mode selection should be based on both volume and transit time: for small batches (<200 kg), it is recommendedAir freight(e.g., CDG–PVG), transit time 7–10 days; for volumes >5 t we recommend ocean FCL, Europe base port to China main ports (Shanghai/Ningbo), sailing schedule ≈35 days. LCL saves 15 %–20 % but carries odor-transfer risk when co-loaded with non-food cargo. At destination we hold standing contracts with Maersk, CMA CGM, etc., securing priority berthing; 2023 average demurrage held to USD 0.5/t/day (industry avg. USD 1.2). For domestic distribution we partner with JD Logistics and Sinotrans on “port–warehouse–store” door-to-door service, including cold-chain for deeply roasted beans prone to moisture uptake.

III. VTB in Re-export Business to RussiaConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages

Some customers re-export French coffee to Russia via China; in this scenario, VTB Bank (Russiaforeign tradeBank) Foreign-exchange settlement can significantly reduce FX risk. As a systemically important Russian bank, VTB has opened direct RUB-CNY clearing with major Chinese commercial banks (e.g., Bank of China, ICBC), cutting the settlement cycle by 2–3 business days compared with SWIFT and narrowing the FX spread to only 0.3 %–0.5 % (vs. 0.8 %–1.2 % under traditional correspondent-bank settlement). Our company has completed VTB agency-settlement registration and can help clients open dual-currency accounts (CNY/RUB). In 2023 we assisted three clients with re-export settlements to Russia, totaling over RMB 8 million with zero FX-loss cases.

IV. Key Milestones in the Import Process and Customer Considerations

1. Client consultation and needs confirmation: Please specify the coffee-bean type (Arabica/Robusta), roast level (light/dark), import volume (tons/kilograms), and any special requirements (e.g., organic certification). Our company will then provide an Import Feasibility Assessment Report covering tariff calculations, logistics lead times, and potential risk alerts.
2. Contract Review and Signing: Focus on reviewing the payment terms (recommended: 30% deposit + 70% against copy of B/L; avoid the risk of 100% T/T in advance), quality standards (suggest stipulating “subject to CIQ inspection results in China”), and default clauses (clearly define compensation ratios for cargo damage and delayed delivery).
3. Production Supervision and Third-Party Inspection: If the customer requests “estate-direct sourcing,” we can assist in contacting SGS, BV, or similar agencies for pre-shipment inspection (PSI) to ensure that key indicators such as a moisture content ≤12 % and an impurity rate <0.5 % are met.
4. Customs compliance and tax payment: HS code classification must note the tariff gap between “roasted” (09012200) and “unroasted” (09012100) (15% duty on the former); we offer advance classification services. At import, duty plus 13% VAT is due, and we can help apply for the “consolidated tax collection” model to ease cash-flow pressure.
5. Quality Assurance and Issue Handling: Complete the unpacking inspection within 72 hours of arrival. If mold or damage is found, you can file a claim with the insurance company (e.g., PICC) using the logistics records. In 2022, we assisted customers in handling 2 cargo damage cases with a 100% claim success rate.

V. Product Certification Statement: The Necessity of Client-Initiated Application and Agency Support

Please note: our company does not directly provide product-certification services, but we can assist clients in preparing the documents required for certification. Common certifications for importing coffee into France include:

• China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ): Mandatory customs inspection items; ingredient list and production process flowchart must be provided;
• EU Organic Certification (EU Organic): For organic coffee beans, a certificate issued by a French certification body (e.g., ECOCERT) is required;
• Kosher certification: For the Jewish market, certification by the Orthodox Union (OU) or another recognized authority is required.
  We recommend that the client initiate the certification application 60 days before signing the contract. Our company can provide the “List of Documents Required for Certification” and translation support (e.g., translating French certificates into Chinese) to ensure that certification and customs clearance proceed in parallel.

Conclusion: Importing French coffee requires balancing trade compliance, logistics efficiency, and cost control. The value of a professional agent lies in shortening the average import cycle from 45 days to 30 days and reducing overall costs by 8%–12% through meticulous document review, logistics optimization, and risk anticipation.Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.As an import agency service provider with 15 years of dedicated focus on food products, we consistently uphold “compliance as the foundation, efficiency as the core,” helping clients seize the market dividends of French coffee.