Container ship at port
Shipping & Logistics

Shipping Coffee from Uganda

Complete logistics guide for international coffee buyers. Container specs, transit times, export documentation, and incoterms explained.

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28d
To Hamburg
12d
To Jeddah
35d
To New York
320
Bags/Container
Transit Times

Mombasa to Major Import Ports

All Uganda coffee ships from the port of Mombasa, Kenya. Transit times below include trucking from Kampala to Mombasa (2-3 days) plus ocean freight.

🇩🇪

Hamburg

28
Days
Via Suez Canal. Germany is Uganda's 2nd largest buyer at 14% of exports.
🇮🇹

Jeddah

12
Days
Fastest route. Middle East buys 54% of Uganda's coffee exports.
🇹🇼

New York

35
Days
Via Suez or Cape of Good Hope. US specialty coffee demand growing.
🇮🇳

Antwerp

30
Days
Europe's largest coffee port. Gateway to Belgium, Netherlands, France.
🇩🇳

Genoa

24
Days
Italy is Uganda's #1 buyer at 34% of exports. Major espresso market.
🇨🇳

Mumbai

16
Days
Growing market for Ugandan Robusta. Indian Ocean direct route.
🇸🇬

Istanbul

20
Days
Turkish coffee demand drives Robusta imports. Mediterranean route.
🏴🇦🇷

Dubai (Jebel Ali)

14
Days
Gulf re-export hub. Transshipment to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar.
Container Specifications

How Your Coffee Ships

🚚

20ft Container (FCL)

Capacity320 bags
Net weight19,200 kg
Gross weight~21,000 kg
Bag type60 kg jute / GrainPro
Ideal forSingle-grade orders, microlots
Cost efficiencyBest for 10-19 MT orders
🚛

40ft Container (FCL)

Capacity640 bags
Net weight38,400 kg
Gross weight~42,000 kg
Bag type60 kg jute / GrainPro
Ideal forMulti-grade, large buyers
Cost efficiencyLowest per-kg freight cost

LCL (Less than Container Load) available for orders under 320 bags via container-sharing with other Uganda exporters. FCL recommended for fastest transit.

Export Process

From Kampala to Your Port

1
Day 1-3

Mill Processing & Bagging

Green coffee is dry-milled, graded, sorted, and packed into 60 kg jute or GrainPro bags at our Kampala facility. Each bag is tagged with lot number, grade, and ICO ID for full traceability.

2
Day 3-4

Quality Inspection & Phytosanitary

UCDA inspectors draw samples for quality certification. Phytosanitary certificate and certificate of origin are issued. EUDR geolocation data verified for European shipments.

3
Day 4-6

Road Transport to Mombasa

Trucks depart Kampala for the 1,100 km journey to Mombasa port. GPS-tracked in transit. Container stuffing occurs at the Mombasa Inland Container Depot (ICD) or directly at the port.

4
Day 6-8

Customs Clearance & Loading

Export customs declaration processed. Kenya Revenue Authority and Uganda Revenue Authority clear the shipment. Container loaded onto vessel at Mombasa port.

5
Day 8-35+

Ocean Freight

Vessel departs Mombasa. Transit time depends on destination (see port cards above). Bill of lading issued within 48 hours of departure. You receive shipping documents via courier or telex release.

6
Arrival

Destination Port & Customs

Container arrives at your port. Your customs broker clears using the documentation package we provide. Coffee is released for delivery to your roastery or warehouse.

Export Documentation

Documents You Receive

Every shipment includes a complete documentation package. Nothing is left to chance at customs.

✓

Bill of Lading (B/L)

Issued by the shipping line. Your proof of ownership. Released within 48 hours of vessel departure. Telex release available for faster processing.

✓

Certificate of Origin

Issued by UCDA and Uganda National Chamber of Commerce. Confirms the coffee is 100% Ugandan origin. Required for preferential tariff treatment under AGOA, EBA, and other trade agreements.

✓

Phytosanitary Certificate

Issued by Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture (MAAIF). Certifies the coffee is free from pests and diseases. Required for import into all countries.

✓

UCDA Quality Certificate

Official grade certificate from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority. Confirms grade classification, screen size, defect count, and cup quality.

✓

Commercial Invoice & Packing List

Detailed invoice with HS code 0901.11 (green coffee, not decaffeinated). Packing list shows bags per container, lot numbers, net/gross weights. Required by your customs broker.

✓

EUDR Due Diligence Statement

For EU shipments: geolocation coordinates of every farm plot in the lot, deforestation-free verification, and due diligence reference number. EUDR mandatory from December 2025.

✓

Insurance Certificate

Marine cargo insurance covering the full CIF value. All-risk coverage from Kampala warehouse to your destination port. Optional: warehouse-to-roastery coverage.

Incoterms

Which Shipping Term Works for You?

EXW

Ex Works Kampala

Coffee packed and ready at our Kampala warehouse. You arrange and pay for all transport, export clearance, freight, and insurance from our door.
Buyer manages all logistics
FOB

Free on Board Mombasa

We deliver coffee to Mombasa port and load it onto your vessel. You pay ocean freight and insurance. Most common term for Uganda coffee exports.
Nonda handles export + port delivery
CIF

Cost, Insurance & Freight

We handle everything to your destination port: export docs, freight, and marine insurance. You handle import customs and final delivery.
Nonda handles everything to your port

Most popular with our buyers:

First-time buyers typically start with CIF for simplicity. Established buyers switching from other origins often prefer FOB so they control their shipping line relationships. Sample orders ship via air freight (DAP).

Common Questions

Shipping & Logistics FAQ

How long does it take to ship coffee from Uganda to my country? ▾
Transit times vary by destination. Middle East ports (Jeddah, Dubai) take 12-14 days. European ports (Hamburg, Antwerp, Genoa) take 24-30 days. North America (New York) takes ~35 days. All times include 2-3 days of trucking from Kampala to Mombasa port plus ocean freight. See the port cards above for specific destinations.
What is the minimum quantity I can ship? ▾
Sample orders start at 1 bag (60 kg) via air freight. Sea freight is economical from 20 bags (1.2 MT) using LCL container sharing. FCL (full container load) starts at 320 bags for a 20ft container or 640 bags for a 40ft. FCL offers the lowest per-kg freight cost.
Do you ship from Mombasa or Dar es Salaam? ▾
We ship exclusively from Mombasa, Kenya -- the primary export gateway for East Africa. Mombasa has the most frequent vessel schedules, the most competitive freight rates, and is connected to Kampala by a well-maintained 1,100 km highway. Transit from Kampala to Mombasa takes 2-3 days by truck.
What are the shipping costs? ▾
Ocean freight rates fluctuate with global shipping markets. As of mid-2026, approximate rates are: $1,800-2,400 for a 20ft container to Europe, $1,200-1,800 to the Middle East, and $2,800-3,500 to North America. These are estimates -- contact us for a live FOB or CIF quote specific to your destination and volume.
How do I handle customs clearance in my country? ▾
You'll need a licensed customs broker in your country. We provide the complete documentation package (bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, and quality certificate). Your broker uses these documents to clear the shipment. For first-time buyers, we can recommend brokers in major importing countries.
Is the coffee insured during shipping? ▾
Yes. CIF shipments include marine cargo insurance covering the full value from our Kampala warehouse to your destination port. FOB shipments are insured to Mombasa port -- you arrange ocean freight insurance separately. We can recommend marine insurance providers. All-risk coverage includes damage, theft, and total loss.

Get a Shipping Quote for Your Order

Tell us your destination port and order volume. We return a complete logistics plan with transit times, costs, and documentation requirements.

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[email protected] +256 749 656 605
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