International Orders

International Orders

Every country has different import rules for cacao — duties, taxes, phytosanitary inspections, and language-specific labeling. We cannot reliably estimate these costs or requirements from Portland, and surprise fees or rejected shipments frustrate everyone. So for international retail orders, you arrange and pay for shipping through your own UPS or DHL account. You know your country's requirements best, and your local carrier office can quote duties and taxes before you commit. 

To start an order, please read the directions below carefully to ensure a smooth purchase and shipping process, and email gino@meridiancacao.com. We're glad to help you plan your shipment.

How It Works

  1. Confirm your import requirements. Before ordering, verify with your customs authority or carrier that our products can enter your country and what permits, inspections, or labeling are required. You are the importer of record.
  2. Place and prepay your order in full (product cost only - we charge no shipping).

  3. We send you a custom commercial invoice with exact package dimensions and weights. Country of origin is listed per product. Typical HS (Harmonized System) codes: cacao beans = 1801.00, cocoa paste/liquor = 1803.00, cocoa butter = 1804.00, cocoa powder = 1805.00.

  4. Create the shipping label(s) through your own UPS or DHL account, listing yourself as payer of all transportation charges, duties, and taxes, then email the label(s) to us. We recommend insuring the shipment through your carrier account.

  5. We pack, apply your label, and tender the parcel at our Portland address below. UPS: daily scheduled pickup from our warehouse. DHL: no daily pickup; we will notify you when your package is ready, and you schedule a DHL pickup to our address through your account.

    address:
    Meridian Cacao Company LLC
    2411 SE 49th Ave.
    Portland, OR 97206 USA
    gino@meridiancacao.com
    meridiancacao.com
    EIN 46-1028721

Phytosanitary Certificates

Some countries require a USDA/APHIS phytosanitary certificate for cacao products. If yours does: phyto service is available only on orders of USD $1,000 or more; you must first send us your government's official written requirements specifying the inspection your products need. There is a $220.00 USD fee, payable in advance. We cannot ship phyto-required orders without all three.

Terms of Sale

  • All international orders are sold EXW (Ex Works) Portland, OR — Incoterms 2020. Title and risk of loss transfer to you when we tender the package to your carrier.
  • All international sales are final: no refunds, including shipments delayed, rejected, returned, seized, destroyed, or abandoned by customs or the carrier.
  • You are responsible for all duties, taxes, brokerage and inspection fees, return freight, storage, and disposal costs. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Meridian Cacao Company LLC from any costs, fees, or penalties arising from
    the shipment after tender to the carrier.
  • We are not responsible for carrier delays, customs holds, or import refusals.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at gino@meridiancacao.com. The information on this page is also available as a PDF here.