COMMERCIAL KNOWLEDGE BASE · FRANKFURT DESK

Frequently Asked Questions.
Direct Commodity Answers.

Clear answers to common inquiries regarding container MOQs, Incoterms® 2020 delivery, EUDR deforestation compliance, rapid sample courier dispatch, and international trade contracts (IGPA · ECC).

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Category 01

Logistics, MOQs & Shipping Terms

What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?

Our standard commercial contract MOQ is one full container load (1x 20' FCL). Depending on commodity density:

  • Green Coffee (Arabica / Robusta): ~19.2 Metric Tons (320 jute bags of 60kg). Bulk container liner bags also available up to 21 MT.
  • Black Pepper & White Pepper: ~15.0 to 16.5 Metric Tons in 25kg/50kg multi-wall bags.
  • Cassia Cinnamon & Star Anise: ~6.5 to 8.0 Metric Tons (carton packing, volume restricted).
  • Consolidated Spice Containers: Mixed containers combining pepper, cinnamon, and turmeric are available upon contractual request.
Which Incoterms® 2020 rules do you support?

We execute standard contracts under Incoterms® 2020:

  • FOB (Free on Board): POL at designated origin seaports (FOB origin ports).
  • CIF / CFR (Cost, Insurance & Freight): Discharged at major European seaports including Hamburg, Bremen, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Le Havre, and Genoa.
  • DAP (Delivered at Place): On-carriage trucking directly to European roasting or processing facilities can be coordinated upon request.
What is the typical ocean transit lead time to Europe?

Ocean transit from Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) or Hai Phong to primary North-Western European ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) typically ranges from 28 to 35 days via direct container services (e.g., Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM).

Category 02

Quality Assurance, Lab Samples & EUDR

How can our cupping room or QA lab request working samples?

Qualified industrial buyers, commercial roasters, and spice processors can request 500g working samples through our Contact Desk or by emailing mail@belkern.com. Sample parcels are dispatched via DHL Express with full Certificate of Analysis (COA) documentation within 48 to 72 hours.

How does Belkern guarantee compliance with EUDR (Regulation EU 2023/1115)?

Through the audited origin supply network, every container of coffee shipped under EUDR compliance includes:

  • GPS Polygon Geolocation: Full perimeter coordinate GeoJSON files for farming plots > 4 ha (point coordinates for smaller farms).
  • Deforestation Baseline Matching: Historical satellite canopy matching confirming zero deforestation post-December 31, 2020.
  • Due Diligence Reference Number: Turnkey data ready for direct entry into the EU TRACES information system prior to customs clearance.
What official food safety certifications do origin processing facilities hold?

Our vetted origin processing partners and partner cooperatives maintain accredited certifications including BRCGS Food Safety (Grade A), HACCP Codex, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14064 Carbon Accounting, Rainforest Alliance, 4C Coffee, Sedex SMETA (4-Pillar), Halal, and US FDA registration. View all badges on our Certifications page.

Category 03

Contracts, Payments & Commercial Terms

Why buy through Belkern GmbH instead of directly from origin exporters?

Belkern GmbH operates as the European commercial liaison desk in Frankfurt am Main (HRB 99468). European buyers benefit from direct origin pricing and direct supply contracts executed under recognized international trade association terms (IGPA for pepper/spices, ECC for coffee, Incoterms® 2020), combined with seamless coordination and customer support during Central European trading hours (08:30–17:30 CET).

What payment methods and settlement structures do you offer?

Standard settlement structures include Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C at sight) confirmed by first-class European commercial banks, Cash Against Documents (CAD), or bank wire transfer for established industrial counterparties. Commercial invoices are issued in EUR or USD under full German tax compliance.