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When starting a business as an importer of white coffee, where should one begin?
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TRACKING NO. 20260117 / GLOBAL Zhongshen Trade · 23+ Years of Expert Trade Agency
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No import/export license, customs delays,
or complex compliance issues.
or complex compliance issues.
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I want to make Malaysian white coffeeI have absolutely no experience. Where should I start? What I'm most afraid of is spending money on shipping, customs clearance, or failing to break into the market.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
Don't rush to place an order yet—first，make sure you understand the regulatory requirements. White coffee is classified as pre-packaged food，with HS codes typically falling under 21011200 (concentrated coffee extract) or 09012100 (roasted coffee)，depending on the product form. You need to confirm three key points。
1. The overseas manufacturer must be registered with the General Administration of Customs (GACC). Ask the supplier to provide the registration number and verify it on the official website。
2. Your domestic company must hold import/export rights and a Food Business License。
3. The product label must comply with GB 7718 and GB 28050 standards，particularly regarding caffeine content，ingredient lists，and allergen information. Many imported coffees fail inspections due to labeling issues。
We recommend first requesting samples and ingredient lists from the supplier，then having the customs broker pre-review the labels to ensure compliance. Only after confirming all requirements should you discuss bulk orders. Additionally，certificates of origin and health certificates must be officially issued—counterfeit or copied documents won’t pass inspections。
For your first shipment，keep the value below $50,000 USD. If the inspection fails，recall costs will be manageable。
Andy GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Supply Chain Management ExpertStart a Chat
Importing from Malaysia by sea freight is the most cost-effective option. For shipments from West Malaysia to South China ports, the CIF-based full container sea freight cost is approximately USD 800-1,200, with a transit time of 15-20 days. For novices, it is recommended to opt for CIF terms, allowing the supplier to handle overseas logistics while you focus on customs clearance and cargo pickup.
Operational process:
3 days before the goods arrive at the port, send the invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and health certificate to the customs broker for pre-review.
After arrival, exchange the shipping documents → submit customs declaration → undergo inspection (with a random sampling rate of approximately 20%) → obtain release → pick up the goods.
Note: For food inspections, samples will be sent for testing, which takes 7-10 working days. During this period, the goods must remain in the supervised warehouse, incurring storage fees.
Therefore, for your first shipment, opt for LCL consolidated cargo (2-3 pallets) to test the process first.
The major logistics costs at the destination port include THC (Terminal Handling Charge), customs declaration fees, inspection fees, and trailer fees, totaling approximately RMB 3,000-5,000. Obtain a detailed cost breakdown from the customs broker in advance to avoid unexpected surcharges.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
Don’t sign a general agency agreement right away. Use the "trial sales cooperation" strategy to lower the threshold. When negotiating with suppliers: Set the first trial order at 200-500 boxes, with a 60-day payment term. Discuss regional exclusivity after the order is sold out. Insist on a 30% down payment + 70% upon receipt of the bill of lading, or open a letter of credit (LC). Never pay in full upfront. Demonstrate professionalism during negotiations by requiring the supplier to provide screenshots of GACC registration, third-party testing reports, and sales data from other markets. The contract must stipulate: The supplier bears responsibility for non-compliant labels, unconditionally refunds defective goods upon arrival, and assumes liability for intellectual property disputes. Also sign short-term agreements with downstream clients (coffee shops, distributors) first to avoid excessive inventory pressure. Your biggest risk now isn’t inexperience—it’s moving too fast. First, pilot compliance, logistics, and sales in small batches. With impressive data results, the agency rights will naturally secure themselves.