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HS Code for Coffee Beans Export from India: Green vs Roasted, Coffee Board and EUDR
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 6 min read
Usual HS code for coffee beans (export)
0901 11
Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated. The last two digits depend on Arabica or Robusta and the processing grade.
Indian coffee from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu goes to buyers all over Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Most of it leaves as green beans. The HS code depends on what kind of coffee you ship and how far it's been processed, and coffee has its own permit system through the Coffee Board.
Here's how I'd think about it.
The usual HS code: 0901 11
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 09 | Coffee, tea, maté and spices |
| Heading | 0901 | Coffee |
| Subheading | 0901 11 | Not roasted, not decaffeinated |
| Tariff item | 0901 11 xx | Split by Arabica or Robusta, and by plantation, cherry or parchment, and grade |
Green coffee is the bulk of India's coffee exports, and the Indian tariff splits 0901 11 into several 8-digit items by type (Arabica or Robusta) and processing (washed plantation/parchment or natural cherry), with grade-wise lines under them. That's why I give six digits here. Your Coffee Board paperwork and the buyer's contract will tell you which line fits.
Why not 0901 21 or 2101 11?
The common mix-ups are about processing:
- Roasted beans go under 0901 21 (not decaffeinated) or 0901 22 (decaffeinated). Exporters starting a roasted specialty range sometimes keep using the green coffee code.
- Instant coffee and coffee extracts are under 2101 11, not 0901 at all. India exports a lot of instant coffee, and it's a different product for customs.
- Decaffeinated green coffee goes under 0901 12.
Not sure which line your coffee beans falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my coffee beans →What decides the final code
- Roasted or not: green coffee 0901 11, roasted 0901 21.
- Decaf or not: decaf green 0901 12, decaf roasted 0901 22.
- Arabica or Robusta: decides the line within 0901 11.
- Plantation (washed) or cherry (natural): further splits the line.
- Instant or extract: moves to 2101.
Export policy and incentives
Coffee export is Free under ITC-HS export policy, subject to the Coffee Board's registration and permit system. Each shipment needs a Coffee Board export permit, and the Board also issues the ICO Certificate of Origin.
The RoDTEP scheme exists to refund embedded taxes on exports. Coverage and rates are set by notification, so check the current schedule for your tariff item. Ask about any Coffee Board support schemes for exporters too.
Compliance checklist for coffee export
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| IEC | 🔴 Mandatory | Importer Exporter Code from DGFT. |
| Coffee Board registration | 🔴 Mandatory | Exporter Registration Certificate from the Coffee Board. It's time-limited, so renew before expiry. |
| Coffee Board export permit | 🔴 Mandatory | Issued per shipment, with a short validity. |
| ICO Certificate of Origin | 🔴 Mandatory | Issued by the Coffee Board with the export permit. |
| FSSAI licence | 🟠 Check | Check whether your business needs one, especially for roasted coffee. |
| Phytosanitary certificate | 🟠 Check | Depends on destination. Ask your buyer. |
| EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) | 🔴 For EU buyers | Coffee is covered. EU buyers will need farm geolocation and legal-sourcing data from you. Check the current application date. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost exporters money
- Booking a vessel before the export permit is issued, or letting it expire.
- Not collecting farm geolocation data when selling to EU roasters.
- Using the green coffee code for roasted or instant coffee.
- Moisture and defect counts that don't match the contract grade.
My advice
Coffee has a good system for exporters, and the Coffee Board paperwork is routine once you've done it a few times. The new pressure is traceability for Europe, so start collecting farm-level data now, even before buyers ask. If you're moving into roasted or instant coffee, check the new code and rules with a lookup first.
Get the exact code and duty for your coffee beans
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my coffee beans free →Written by
16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the HS code for coffee beans export from India?
Green (unroasted, not decaffeinated) coffee falls under 0901 11, split into 8-digit lines by Arabica or Robusta and processing type.
▸Is Coffee Board registration required to export coffee?
Yes. You need an Exporter Registration Certificate from the Coffee Board, plus an export permit for each shipment.
▸What is the HS code for roasted coffee and instant coffee?
Roasted coffee is under 0901 21 (or 0901 22 if decaffeinated). Instant coffee and coffee extracts are under 2101 11.
▸Does EUDR apply to coffee exports from India?
Yes. Coffee is covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation, so EU buyers need farm geolocation and legal-sourcing data. Check the current application date.
Related HS codes
🌾 Full guide: Exporting Agricultural and Food Products from India: HS Codes, APEDA and Export Policy →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.