How to Buy Green Coffee from Zambrew
We supply Ugandan green coffee in full container loads only, on two Incoterms® 2020 rules: Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) to your UK warehouse, or Free On Board (FOB) Mombasa.
Two Ways to Take Your Container
1. DDP: delivered to your UK warehouse
We handle everything from Uganda to your door: export, ocean freight, UK customs clearance, import duty and import VAT, and onward haulage to your named UK warehouse. You receive the container ready to unload. Best if you want a single delivered price and no import paperwork.
2. FOB: Mombasa, Kenya
We export-clear the coffee and load it on board the vessel you nominate at the port of Mombasa. From that point, ocean freight, insurance, import clearance and duties are yours. Best if you have your own freight forwarder or ship to a destination outside the UK.
Who Can Buy
Zambrew supplies trade buyers who can take a full container load, such as commercial roasters, importers and green coffee traders. We no longer sell single bags, pallets or part-container quantities.
Coffee is packed in 60 kg jute bags. A 20ft container typically carries around 320 bags; exact quantities are confirmed in your contract.
Four Steps from Enquiry to Delivery
1
Choose and sample
Browse the current Ugandan coffees and request a free sample to cup on your own bench before you commit to a container.
2
Choose your terms
Tell us the lot, number of containers and whether you want DDP to your UK warehouse or FOB Mombasa. For DDP, include your warehouse postcode.
3
Sign the contract
We confirm price, quantity, Incoterm and shipment period in writing. Credit terms of up to 90 days are available on approval.
4
Shipment and delivery
FOB: the coffee is loaded on board at Mombasa and passes to you. DDP: we ship, clear UK customs and deliver the container to your warehouse.
Origin Coffee, Without the Origin Headaches
On DDP terms, buying a container from Uganda works like buying from a domestic supplier: one delivered price and no import paperwork on your side.
1
Full container minimum order
2
Incoterms: DDP UK or FOB Mombasa
90
Days of credit available
DDP vs FOB: Who Does What
Both options follow the Incoterms® 2020 rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce. The Incoterm agreed in your contract always takes precedence.
| Responsibility | DDP your UK warehouse | FOB Mombasa |
|---|---|---|
| Export clearance in Uganda and Kenya | Zambrew | Zambrew |
| Transport to Mombasa and loading on board | Zambrew | Zambrew |
| Booking and paying ocean freight | Zambrew | Buyer |
| Cargo insurance | Zambrew bears the risk | Buyer |
| UK import clearance, duty and import VAT | Zambrew | Buyer |
| Haulage from UK port to your warehouse | Zambrew | Buyer |
| Unloading at your warehouse | Buyer | Buyer |
| Risk passes to buyer | On arrival at your warehouse, ready for unloading | Once the coffee is on board the vessel at Mombasa |
Receiving a DDP container
Your warehouse needs to be able to receive a full container. We agree a delivery window with you in advance, and your team unloads the 60 kg bags on arrival. Tell us about any site restrictions when you request your quote.
Quality guarantee and discrepancies
Every lot is guaranteed against samples or approved descriptions if a delivery does not match, we remedy the inaccuracy. Report any issue via the contact page.
Forward Contracts and Containers at Sea
Plan ahead: sign forward contracts for scheduled container shipments, or reserve a container that is already on the water.
Reserve a container at sea
Secure a container already on the water, for DDP delivery to your UK warehouse, and shorten your wait. Ask us what is currently at sea and when it is due.
Sign a forward contract
Contract regular container shipments in advance, on DDP or FOB terms. Tell us the volume, profile and timing you need and we will set out what is available.
Shipment and arrival timeframes
Each contract states a shipment period from Mombasa. Transit times are set by the shipping line and are subject to delays outside our control.
Buyer FAQs
Everything roasters ask about eligibility, orders, samples, pricing, quality and traceability.
Buying and orders
Trade buyers who can take a full container load, such as commercial roasters, importers and green coffee traders.
One full container load (FCL). We no longer sell single bags, pallets or part-container quantities. Coffee is packed in 60 kg jute bags, and a 20ft container typically carries around 320 bags.
Choose DDP if you are in the UK and want the coffee delivered to your warehouse with freight, customs, duty and import VAT handled for you. Choose FOB Mombasa if you have your own freight forwarder, want to control shipping and insurance, or are shipping outside the UK. See who does what.
No, samples are free but optional. Delivered coffee is guaranteed against samples or approved descriptions either way.
Forward contracts and containers at sea
Yes. You can reserve containers at sea or sign forward contracts for scheduled shipments. See forward contracts and containers at sea, or contact us to discuss volumes and timing.
Your contract states a shipment period from Mombasa. On FOB terms, the coffee is yours once loaded on board. On DDP terms, allow for ocean transit, set by the shipping line and subject to delays outside our control, plus UK customs clearance before delivery to your warehouse. A container already at sea is the fastest option.
Samples, prices and payment
Yes. Request a sample quoting the lot code from the shop.
Prices are quoted per container, per lot and per Incoterm. An FOB Mombasa price covers the coffee loaded on board; a DDP price is an all-in delivered price to your named UK warehouse, including freight, customs clearance, import duty and import VAT.
Yes. Credit terms of up to 90 days, subject to approval.
Quality and traceability
Every product page states its crop year, the current lots are Q4 2025 crop.
Crop year, process, preparation, moisture and defect data, stated with its source; anything not measured is marked as such. See quality and specifications and our guarantee: coffee is guaranteed against samples or approved descriptions.
We source through our own team in Uganda and more than 50 partner farms and co-operatives; each product page states its traceability level. Buyers preparing for regulatory due diligence can ask us what information is available for a specific lot. See traceability and responsible sourcing.
Still have a question? Ask us anything or request a sample.
Ready to Book a Container?
Cup a free sample first, then request a quote DDP to your UK warehouse or FOB Mombasa. Every container is guaranteed.