Contract and Arbitration

Access essential professional resources from the Green Coffee Association, including contract terms, arbitration FAQs, warehouse guidelines, FSMA compliance templates, and industry best practices.

Contract Terms & Conditions

Learn more about Contract Terms & Conditions

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Charter Document

Learn more about the Charter Document

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Arbitration Rules

Frequently asked questions and answers regarding GCA Arbitrations and Procedures.

Is it necessary to be a member of the GCA to arbitrate?

It is not necessary to be a member to arbitrate, however, being a member means paying lower arbitration fees.

What are the advantages of GCA arbitration?

Arbitration is an impartial and inexpensive method for resolving disputes between contract parties. GCA members have saved significant amounts of money by using GCA arbitrations instead of more costly legal proceedings.

Who initiates an arbitration, the buyer or the seller, and how?

Either party to a contract may demand arbitration on any tendered portion of a contract, unless provided for otherwise in the contract. Demands for arbitration forms are available at the GCA offices. One party files and the other is given the opportunity to answer. If both parties agree on a statement of the facts and issues in dispute, they may file jointly. After all statements and replies have been submitted, the Secretary convenes an arbitration panel to conduct an arbitration.

GCA Rules of Arbitration (Download PDF)

Arbitration Forms

Downloadable PDFs for use during an arbitration procedure.

Arbitration Form A-1: Technical (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form A-2: Grade or Quality (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form B-1: Technical Answer (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form B-2: Grade Quality Answer (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form C: No Arbitration Clause Submission (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form D: Notice of Appeal (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form E-1: Arbitration Award (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form E-2: Appeal Award (Download PDF)

Arbitration Form F: Oath of Arbitrators (Download PDF)

Warehouse Information

Click to download our informational resources.

Weighing - Best Practices

Current Warehouse Stocks (as of March 15, 2021) (NEEDS PDF OR LINK)

Historical Warehouse Stocks (Members Only) (NEEDS PDF OR LINK)

GCA Statement on Piracy

Learn more about the GCA Statement on Piracy.

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GCA Statement on Packaging

Learn more about the GCA Statement on Packaging

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NCA/GCA Model Analysis Template for Green Coffee

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has radically pivoted the U.S. food safety system – from prevention to remediation. With that came sweeping new regulations that continue to challenge even the most experienced importers and manufacturers.

To help the industry cope, the NCA and GCA empaneled a special task force of industry experts to decipher what the new rules mean for coffee. From extensive deliberations, along with guidance from an experienced toxicologist, they’ve created a checklist – or “template” – that details and ranks potential hazards on green coffee and outlines a protocol for compliance.

We’re now making that template available to the industry. The NCA/GCA Model Analysis Template for Green Coffee is designed to guide importers through the steps they must complete as they develop their individual plans customized to their own operations. Importers won’t need to start from scratch, and they can hold up this “industry standard” as earnest compliance if inspected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).