Project Details

Step 1: Contract & Pre-Finance

Timeline: Day 0
After you approve samples and sign the ICO contract, we lock in your lot. For Kagera volume contracts we often pre-finance AMCOS to secure cherry. For Mbinga micro-lots, we pay 30-50% advance to producers. You pay us per agreed terms: 100% T/T advance or 30-50% deposit to confirm.

Step 2: Aggregation & Primary QC

Timeline: Harvest + 1–4 weeks

• Kagera: Coffee delivered to our Bukoba warehouse. We check moisture, screen, and sort defects.
• Mbinga/Songwe: Parchment delivered to Songwe buying station. We test moisture/density and reject >12.5%. Approved lots trucked to Dar.
  Buyer touchpoint: We send “Lot Secured” email with intake photos.

Step 3: Milling & Grading

Timeline: +1 week
Parchment is milled at Tanzania Coffee Board approved mills in Songea or Moshi under our supervision. We grade to Tanzania standards: AA, AB, PB, C for Arabica. Robusta graded by screen 13-18.

Step 4: Final QC at Dar es Salaam Lab

Timeline: +3–5 days
All coffee arrives at our Ubungo warehouse. Beacon Heights runs full SCA cupping, green analysis, and UV defect inspection. We issue a lot-specific QC report with: grade, screen, moisture, density, defect count, SCA score, and cup notes.
Buyer touchpoint: We send QC report + offer approval of pre-shipment sample.

Step 5: Export Documentation

Timeline: +2–3 days
Once you approve the lot and balance payment is received, we prepare docs:

1. Invoice & Packing List
2. Tanzania Coffee Board Export Permit
3. ICO Certificate of Origin
4. Phytosanitary Certificate from MoA
5. Fumigation Certificate if required
6. ICS = International Coffee Standards compliance
   We pre-clear with TRA and TAEC to avoid port delays.

Step 6: Container Stuffing & FOB

Timeline: +2–4 days
Coffee is stuffed into 20ft containers at our bonded warehouse under customs supervision. We seal, issue Bill of Lading, and hand to your nominated forwarder at Dar es Salaam port = FOB.
Buyer touchpoint: We send scanned BL, commercial docs, and container photos within 24hrs of FOB.

Step 7: Post-Shipment Support

Timeline: After FOB
We track vessel departure, send arrival notice, and remain available for quality claims. For “Origin Verified” lots, we send your marketing kit 14 days after FOB.

Total Time: ∼14–21 days from balance payment to FOB for in-stock lots. New harvest contracts follow crop calendar.