Coffee Glossary · Trade
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The ocean shipment's master document, issued by the carrier: simultaneously a receipt for the cargo, evidence of the transport contract, and — crucially — a document of title. Whoever holds the original negotiable B/L controls the goods, which is why coffee payment mechanisms revolve around it: in documentary collections and letters of credit, banks release the B/L to the buyer only against payment or acceptance. Details on it (shipper, consignee, notify party, container and seal numbers, 'clean on board' notation) must match the contract exactly or payment stalls.
Related terms
Letter of Credit (L/C)
A bank's irrevocable payment undertaking: the buyer's bank commits to pay the exporter upon presentation of…
Incoterms (FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW, DDP)
The ICC's standardized trade terms defining exactly where seller responsibility ends and buyer responsibility…
Phytosanitary Certificate
An official plant-health certificate issued by the exporting country's agriculture authority, declaring the…
Cash Against Documents (CAD)
A documentary collection payment method lighter than a letter of credit: the exporter ships, then routes the…
Crop Year / Fresh Crop / Past Crop
Coffee's vintage system: each origin's harvest defines its crop year (Laos: roughly October–September), and…
Cup of Excellence (CoE)
The most prestigious origin-country coffee competition: national juries winnow hundreds of farm entries…
Reading up before buying? Volcana Coffee exports SGS-inspected specialty Arabica and Fine Robusta from the Bolaven Plateau, Laos — and we're happy to walk new importers through every term on a real offer sheet.
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