Your Coffee Might Be Tariffed – Here’s What You Should Know
Tariffs, di minimis, and what it means for your coffee order
If you live in the U.S. and order coffee beans from Eight Ounce Coffee (or any international retailer), you may notice a price jump starting August 29. So, why is this happening and what can you do to prepare?
What is changing
Earlier this month, it was announced that the “di minimis exemption”, the $800 USD threshold that lets lower value items enter the U.S. without duty, will be eliminated for all imports.
Why it matters
Coffee is officially on the list of goods that could face tariffs, and if no exemptions are made by the deadline, duties may apply at checkout.
If “di minimis” rings a bell, it’s because the term made headlines back in May when the U.S. removed the provision for goods entering from China and Hong Kong. The new change would suspend it for all imports, regardless of origin or value.
How you can prepare
Eight Ounce Coffee is Canada-based, with its only headquarters and warehouse in Alberta. Most coffee orders do not reach $800 USD, which is why many U.S. customers have been able to order without customs fees. If the threshold is removed, consider the following:
- Factor potential import fees into your budget.
- Stock up now and consider freezing your coffee beans, they can last up to six months.
To make the most of your coffee, store it in a cool, dark place in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and moisture. If you’re stocking up, buy whole beans and grind only what you need before brewing. For longer-term storage, divide beans into smaller airtight bags or containers and freeze them, taking out only what you’ll use within a week to avoid repeated thawing. This helps lock in flavour and aroma so you can enjoy fresh coffee for months.
What to expect at checkout
Fortunately, Eight Ounce Coffee will always let you know whether tariffs apply to your order, so you won’t be surprised with an invoice at the door. Look for a Duties line during checkout, that amount is the prepaid import fee collected by U.S. customs. It’s a simple tool to plan your coffee budget.
Some good news
There are already discussions about exempting coffee and other natural resources not grown in the U.S., even if the di minimis threshold is suspended. While early proposals would only apply to green coffee beans from major coffee-growing regions like Brazil, it’s proof that exceptions can be made for natural and consumable goods. This comes after requests from the National Coffee Association, which warns tariffs could raise coffee prices by up to 50%.
There are still a few weeks before the di minimis provision is removed on all imports, and a lot can happen in that time. If you’d like to learn more, you can always reference our tariffs & duties page.
In the meantime, enjoy our roaster program duty-free while the provision remains. And if the threshold is removed on August 29, you’ll still be able to shop with the peace of mind that you’ll get clear notice if tariffs apply to your order.
