How to Import Cocoa to the USA

Step-by-Step Import Process

Step 1: Find a Reliable Cocoa Supplier

Ghana produces some of the world's highest-quality cocoa, consistently graded as "Ghana Main Crop" or "Ghana Light Crop" by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). Ivory Coast is the largest producer by volume. When sourcing, look for suppliers who can provide COCOBOD-certified beans (for Ghana) or CCC-certified beans (Conseil du Cafe-Cacao, for Ivory Coast). Origin Direct maintains direct relationships with licensed buying companies and cooperatives in both countries, cutting out intermediary traders and giving you access to traceable, farm-level cocoa.

Step 2: Request Samples and Verify Quality

Before committing to a container order, always request pre-shipment samples (typically 1-2 kg). Key quality parameters for cocoa beans include: bean count (90-110 beans per 100g for Grade I Ghana cocoa), moisture content (max 7.5%), mold count (max 3% by count), free fatty acid (FFA) content (max 1.75%), and fermentation index (minimum 60% well-fermented). Have samples tested by an accredited lab such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek. For cocoa butter or powder, check specifications against your end-product requirements.

Step 3: Agree on Commercial Terms

Cocoa is typically traded in metric tons, with pricing referenced against the ICE NY Cocoa futures contract (CC). Common Incoterms for cocoa shipments are FOB Tema (Ghana) or FOB Abidjan (Ivory Coast), though CIF US port is also available. Payment is almost always via irrevocable letter of credit (L/C) at sight, opened through your bank. For established relationships, some sellers accept 30% advance payment with 70% against documents. Contracts should specify the crop year, grade, packaging (typically 65 kg jute bags), and any certifications required (Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ/Rainforest Alliance merged, Organic).

Step 4: Supplier Prepares Export Documentation

Your supplier needs to prepare the following documents before the shipment leaves West Africa:

• Phytosanitary Certificate - Issued by the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services (Ghana) or ANADER (Ivory Coast). Required by USDA APHIS for all raw agricultural imports.
• Certificate of Origin - Confirms the country of origin for customs duty purposes.
• Commercial Invoice - Detailing product description, quantity, unit price, total value, Incoterms, and payment terms.
• Packing List - Number of bags, net and gross weights per container.
• Bill of Lading (B/L) - Ocean bill of lading, usually issued "clean on board."
• Quality/Grade Certificate - From COCOBOD Quality Control Company (Ghana) or a recognized inspection agency.
• Fumigation Certificate - Proof of treatment against storage pests, if required.
• Weight Certificate - Issued at port of loading by an independent surveyor.

Step 5: Arrange Shipping

Cocoa is shipped in standard 20ft dry containers (approximately 18-20 MT per container) or 40ft containers (approximately 25 MT, though 20ft is more common for cocoa due to weight limits). Major loading ports are Tema Port (Ghana) and Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast). Common US destination ports include Port of Newark/Elizabeth (New Jersey), Port of Philadelphia, Port of Baltimore, and Port of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia). Transit time from West Africa to the US East Coast is typically 18-22 days. For the US Gulf Coast (Houston, New Orleans), transit is 20-25 days. Containers must be clean, dry, and free of odors. Cocoa is highly absorbent and will pick up any container contamination.

Step 6: Clear US Customs

Importing cocoa into the USA involves multiple federal agencies. Here is what you need:

• Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) - Must be filed at least 24 hours before the vessel departs the foreign port. Failure to file results in a $5,000 penalty per violation.
• FDA Prior Notice - Required for all food imports under the Bioterrorism Act. Must be submitted via the FDA Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI) no fewer than 15 days and no more than 15 days before the shipment arrives.
• CBP Entry Documents - Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501), commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Your customs broker files these.
• FDA Examination - FDA may detain cocoa shipments for sampling and testing. They check for pesticide residues, heavy metals (particularly cadmium and lead), mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A), and filth/foreign matter. The Codex Alimentarius maximum level for cadmium in cocoa powder is 0.3 mg/kg.
• USDA APHIS Clearance - For raw cocoa beans, APHIS may require inspection for pests. The phytosanitary certificate from the origin country is essential here.

Step 7: Receive and Inspect Goods

Once customs clearance is granted, arrange drayage (trucking from port to your warehouse). Inspect the shipment against the contract specifications: verify bag count, check for water damage or pest infestation, pull samples for lab analysis, and weigh the shipment. Any claims for quality discrepancies or short weight should be filed within the timeframe specified in your contract (typically 14-21 days after arrival).

Key Documents Required

• FDA Prior Notice confirmation
• ISF 10+2 filing confirmation
• CBP Entry Summary (Form 7501)
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List
• Bill of Lading (original or telex release)
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Certificate of Origin
• Quality/Grade Certificate
• Fumigation Certificate (if applicable)
• Customs Bond (continuous or single entry)

HS Codes and Duty Rates

The primary HS codes for cocoa imports into the US are:

• 1801.00.00 - Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted. Duty: Free.
• 1802.00.00 - Cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste. Duty: Free.
• 1803.10.00 - Cocoa paste, not defatted. Duty: Free.
• 1803.20.00 - Cocoa paste, wholly or partly defatted. Duty: Free.
• 1804.00.00 - Cocoa butter, fat, and oil. Duty: Free.
• 1805.00.00 - Cocoa powder, not containing added sugar. Duty: 0.52 cents/kg.

Raw cocoa beans enter the US duty-free, making direct sourcing even more cost-effective. For the full HS code reference, see our HS Code Directory.

Common Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Cadmium contamination - Cocoa from certain soil types (particularly volcanic soils in Latin America, less common in West Africa) can accumulate cadmium. The EU has strict limits (0.1-0.8 mg/kg depending on product). While the US has no formal limit yet, FDA monitors cadmium levels and may detain shipments with elevated readings.
• Moisture damage - Cocoa beans must be shipped at 7.5% moisture or below. Condensation inside containers ("container sweat") during ocean transit can cause mold. Insist on properly dried beans and consider desiccant strips inside containers.
• Mixed lots - Some unscrupulous suppliers mix Grade I and Grade II beans. Always insist on pre-shipment inspection by an independent surveyor.
• Delayed ISF filing - Missing the 24-hour ISF deadline triggers automatic penalties. Work with an experienced customs broker.
• FDA detention - If FDA detains your shipment for examination, it can add 1-3 weeks and significant storage costs. Having complete documentation and a clean import history reduces this risk.
• Forced labor concerns - US Customs enforces the Tariff Act Section 307, which prohibits imports made with forced labor. Ensure your cocoa supply chain has proper labor certifications and traceability.

How Origin Direct Makes This Easy

Origin Direct handles the entire supply chain from cocoa-growing regions in Ghana and Ivory Coast to your US warehouse. We work directly with COCOBOD-licensed buying companies and cooperatives, so every bag is fully traceable. Our team manages quality inspection at origin, prepares all export documentation, coordinates ocean freight with reliable carriers, and can connect you with experienced US customs brokers. You get factory-gate pricing without the markups from European intermediaries, and a single point of contact for the entire shipment.