Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Yes, you can. You can request samples through our interactive portal on the website, here. Our team will review your requests for approval before shipping.
You can email our team at info@projectorigin.com.au with any questions you have or to place an order.
Lucky for you, every coffee purchase you make with us automatically puts contributions towards our Project Origin Community Fund. You can express your interest at info@projectorigin.com.au or visit our community page to see what our funds have built so far.
Yes, we do. We have warehouses in Australia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as well as our roaster distributing partners in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Greece, Argentina.
Our product list is available for you to view and order from on our website, here. You can also request samples of our beans from our product list.
We pay our producers and partners premium prices that sit well above the C-market price because we believe in valuing the work that they do to produce coffee. For information about coffee price fluctuations and how we should be approaching this as a specialty industry, read our article here.
Whether you have something specific in mind or need some guidance, we can help find a bean that will suit your competition needs. Email us at info@projectorigin.com.au with your questions and requests.
Coffea eugenioides is a great alternative species to arabica beans, but it is difficult to harvest and process, making them expensive and low in supply. We are working closely with our partners at origin to make this species more accessible. You can register your interest and enquire about the eugenioides species by emailing us at info@projectorigin.com.au
We welcome enquiries from all coffee producers. You can email our team at info@projectorigin.com.au with who you are, where your coffee grows and what you are looking for from an exporter. Our team will respond with some questions.
Yes we can. Our team can arrange for bags to transport directly from origin to roasteries anywhere in the world.
FAQs about Sourcing, ethics and certifications
What does 'direct trade' mean to Project Origin?
Direct trade means building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with farmers, producers, washing stations and local exporters committed to quality coffee and their local communities. Depending on the origin, working through a trusted local exporter can be the most effective way to support producers. Our approach prioritises traceability, open communication and purchasing across successive harvests.
How does buying from Project Origin support farmers and producers?
We work with producing and exporting partners towards prices that cover production costs and provide sustainable income above those costs, considering quality, purpose, cup score and relationships rather than the C-market alone. Repeat purchases help producers plan ahead, invest in their farms and support a more economically sustainable farming and trading environment. A percentage of every coffee purchase also goes into our Community Fund, supporting projects such as clean water, education and better farming.
How can I best support coffee farmers?
One of the best ways to support coffee farmers is to buy from the same farms across successive harvests. Your repeat purchases help producers plan ahead, invest in the coffees you enjoy and pay their workers well. That reliable demand can also support earlier payments to workers. For example, our partners in Kenya prepay pickers, helping improve their cash flow.
Are Project Origin coffees certified?
Certification is not a requirement for coffees to meet our sourcing standards; individual coffees may carry certifications, which we can confirm when you enquire. We prioritise understanding farming and processing practices through ongoing, direct communication with our partners, alongside price agreements reviewed annually. Certification can involve significant fees, administration and renewal requirements, and we do not advocate for producers to take on those costs.
Can I request specific certifications for my coffee?
Yes, you can always request for coffees with certain certifications, and these questions need to be raised BEFORE shipping the coffee from origin. We can work with our partners to explore obtaining it, if it is feasible to do so, with the associated costs agreed with and covered by you as the buyer.
How does Project Origin check green coffee quality?
We assess every coffee we purchase through cupping (including offer samples, pre-shipment samples (PSS), arrival samples) and physical checks, including moisture content, water activity, density and green grading for defects. We record the results, including cupping notes and green grading photographs, and retain this data to track quality over time.
By working with producers and exporters each harvest, we can understand each coffee’s typically behaviour, & what to expect each year based on weather patterns and harvest updates. Sounds in-depth – that’s because it is.
What quality control measures do you take?
For every coffee we source, we conduct several cuppings across multiple stages of importing, we measure the beans’ moisture content, water activity and density, and review the physical appearance via green grading.
This information is always available for your coffee upon request.
Is my sample a reference, PSS, or arrival sample?
Your sample could be any one of these depending on what stage of the harvesting calendar we are at. Our sales team will always share with you what you are receiving, so you know what to expect. If you are requesting samples from our live product list, you are most likely receiving arrival stock.
How should I store my green beans?
Green coffee beans like stability. Keep them sealed in an environment with stable temperature – ideally cool – and stable humidity for best shelf life.
How do you check that the coffee I receive matches the sample I approve?
When coffee arrives at our warehouse, we assess samples against the coffee originally cupped and approved. These checks compare cup quality and physical attributes, helping us identify any changes before the coffee reaches your roastery.
By this point, we would have cupped your coffee about 4 times already, so we don’t expect surprises to pop out of nowhere.
Can I access quality control data and information about the producer?
Yes! We freely share recorded quality control results, including green grading measurements such as density, water activity and moisture content, cupping notes and green grading photographs, upon request.
We also share available information about the producer, origin, marketing imagery and processing so you can understand the coffee and pass that knowledge on to your customers. These are our Farm Info Files, and you can find them in our Directory.
What should I do if my coffee doesn't meet the agreed quality?
Contact our team with the coffee’s lot details and a description of your concerns. The sooner you do this upon receiving your order, the better we can work together. We’ll work with you to assess the coffee against the approved sample and recorded quality data, then discuss the appropriate next steps.
FAQs about importing green beans
Is there an MOQ for direct shipping from origin?
Sea freight: yes, our MOQ is 100 bags or 6,000kg. Shipping from Ethiopia is a 10,000kg minimum.
Air freight: yes, our MOQ is 5 units, but it’s best you chat with our team.
What origins can i source with Project Origin
We specialise in shipping coffee from over 15 specialty producing countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and more.
Can I mix & match origins in one shipment?
Yes, we can if shipping from our Australia warehouse!
Is there an MOQ for shipping from Australia?
Yes, our MOQ for shipping from Australia is 500kg or US$4,000 in value.
Can I order at any time?
You can order at any time from our Australian warehouse by referring to our live product list. If you wish to direct ship from origin, orders should occur around harvest time.
Is air freight MOQ less than sea freight MOQ?
Yes it is! We can ship less units via air freight whilst sea freight will require more.
What's the difference between an FCL & LCL?
FCL, or full container load, means you get a full container just for your cargo, which is usually faster and more straightforward. LCL, or light / less than full container load, means your cargo shares space with goods from other shippers in the same container — it’s cheaper if you don’t have enough volume, but it often involves more handling, and a higher risk of delays or damage during consolidation and deconsolidation.
Is it better to order direct or from Australia?
This depends on what and how much you want to import. Importing direct from origin is a great option for when you need a full container load (about 20tonne). It is not possible to mix and match origins, so if you require a mix of a few different lots, then your best option will be to ship from our Australia warehouse, or your nearest distributor.
You can find your nearest distributor options here.
Why would I order from Australia?
If you’re wanting a mix or origins, and to order off a spot list, then shipping from Australia is a great option. Keep in mind, there may be another Project Origin distributor warehouse close to you!
Why would I order direct from origin?
For the freshest stock, shipping direct from origin is a great option, as contracting and moving coffee happens close to the end of harvest.
Can I get green or roasted samples before I buy?
We can share green samples to help you make your decisions, but you need to know your importing laws first! Every country is different, but our team can help you figure out what you need.
Do I need importing documents to get my samples?
This really depends on your country. It’s best to know your importing laws and our team can help you figure out where to look, so your samples don’t get destroyed before reaching you.
I didn't receive my samples. What can I do?
If we confirmed your samples were shipped, then it’s best to check with your importing government bodies. We will review every sample request and confirm with you if we approve to send your request, so our team will be in touch with you along the way.
Do I need special documents to import green beans to my country?
Yes, absolutely! Every country is different, and it is essential that you know your own importing laws. Our team can help you find where to look, but ultimately, we will need to work together to gather your documents.
You will need to understand what documents your country needs and share that list with Project Origin. We will gather or organise all these documents so your shipment can arrive safely.
What documents do I need?
Every country is different & must be adhered to in full. Some of the most common documents we acquire include phytosanitary certificates, a BL document, certificate of origin, invoice, packing slip, a fumigation certificate, and more.
What is a phytosanitary document?
A phytosanitary document is an official paper issued by a government authority to show that the green coffee beans are free from pests and diseases. It’s basically proof that the product is safe for international trade and won’t bring any unwanted bugs or plant diseases into another country.
Can we just ship the coffee now & deal with documents on the way?
No, you must inform Project Origin of your requirements prior to the shipment. The documents must be prepared and provided to you before the cargo arrives, in order to allow you to proceed with customs clearance.
CM Selections FAQ
Where the carbonic maceration techniques are most helpful for producers is in converting what would be an average lot into a specialty lot. This enables them to create a product that is of a higher quality and therefore they can sell it at a higher price.
The CM processing techniques provide a platform for producers to have more control over the process itself and as a result provide more certainty in what outcome or quality level may be achieved. By sharing the knowledge and experience Project Origin has developed, we can adjust the appropriate variables required for successful CM processing with the producers in order to replicate flavour and cup profiles for a steady stream of beans each harvest for the consumers, but also to allow a steady income for producers through such a reliable product.
On the contrary, in most cases, Project Origin pays for all of the equipment used to establish CM processing at a farm or washing station. Project Origin also guarantees the price that will be paid to producers for coffees that are processed using our techniques regardless of the final cup quality. We do this for all producers and washing stations that are part of the CM Selections program. The producer or washing station bears none of the risks for creating coffee through Project Origin’s CM Selections program, but they do get the security of an agreed fixed price that is set at a premium above their normal sale price.
Our CM Selections range has the capacity to broaden our understanding and experience of coffee. We believe it deserves its own categorisation system so that we can approach these coffees without the inevitable predetermined bias we subconsciously build when referring to cupping scores.As an alternative, we categorise our CM Selections range into five gemstones that represent flavour profiles. The gemstones are Indigo, Jasper, Amber, Diamond and Opal. To understand more about the gemstone range, you can read our CM Champion’s Selections article.
