GCA Statement on Packaging

It has come to the attention of The Green Coffee Association that certain suppliers of green coffee beans are using bags made of woven polypropylene and other non-natural fibers to ship their coffee beans against contracts negotiated under the terms and conditions of the current Green Coffee Association Contract. While the Association recognizes that the two contracting parties have every right to agree to terms and conditions not incorporated in the GCA contract, including alternate packaging, they must be agreed to at the time the contract is negotiated, or subsequent to negotiation but prior to shipment, with both parties fully knowing and accepting other packaging conditions.

The current GCA contract terms and conditions call for the standard coffee “Packaging” as follows:

Packaging

• The two common forms of packaging for green coffee are natural fiber bags and bulk container liner. Green coffee is also shipped in synthetic fiber supersacks. The most common form of packaging for soluble coffee is the cardboard carton, with a plastic liner. All forms of packaging must conform to food grade packaging standards at the country of destination.
• Coffee bags to be made of sisal, henequen, jute, burlap, or similar woven material , without inner lining or outer covering of any material, properly sewn by hand and/or machine.

The Green Coffee Association recommends that any deviation from the above GCA “Packaging” clause must be clearly detailed in any negotiated GCA contract form or in subsequent written amendment indicating the mutual understanding and agreement of the contracting parties.

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