Book Kintamani coffee shipments from Bali 3–5 months ahead of your roasting need. Kintamani’s main Arabica harvest runs May–October, so request samples June–August, confirm contracts within two to four weeks, and pre-book container space 4–6 weeks before the vessel. Green coffee then ships from Bali or Surabaya ports.
Why does harvest timing anchor every booking decision?
Kintamani Arabica grows in the Kintamani Highlands of Bangli Regency, in north-east Bali at cultivation altitudes reported across sources from roughly 1,000 to 1,700 metres above sea level. Export factsheets put the main harvest schedule at May through October. That single window sets the rhythm for sampling, contracting, processing and vessel booking, so every calendar decision downstream traces back to it.
Green (unroasted) coffee is a seasonal, agricultural product. Cherry picked in June cannot be cupped as finished green until it has been pulped or dried, hulled, sorted and rested. If you wait until October to start asking for offers, the best microlots — the washed Grade 1 screen-16+ lots plus the natural and honey selections roasters compete for — are usually already committed. Timing is not a formality here; it decides which lots you can actually buy.
When should you request samples and lock contracts?
Work backwards from when you need roasted coffee on your shelf. For most EU and US specialty roasters, that means starting the conversation early in the harvest and treating each stage as a fixed lead time rather than a loose suggestion.
Request pre-shipment samples while the harvest is still running, ideally June through August, so your QC team can cup against your house profile before committing. Once you approve a lot, confirm the contract quickly — good lots move fast. To see how sampling, approval and vessel scheduling stack into a single coffee export booking window, map each step against the calendar below before you sign anything.
Here is a month-by-month view for a typical 2026 cycle (indicative, and subject to harvest and weather):
| Window | What happens | Your action |
|---|---|---|
| Mar–Apr | Pre-harvest, lots forecast | Share volume, grade, process, EUDR needs |
| May–Jul | Harvest and early processing | Request samples, begin cupping |
| Jul–Sep | Peak lot availability | Approve lots, sign contract, pay deposit |
| Aug–Oct | Milling, grading, bagging | Confirm booking, finalise documents |
| Oct–Dec | Vessel departs Bali/Surabaya | Track shipment, clear at destination |
How long is the contract-to-ship lead time?
Plan on 3–5 months from a signed contract to green coffee landing at your destination port. The stages below rarely overlap much, so add them rather than assume they run in parallel.
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Sample dispatch and cupping approval | 1–3 weeks |
| Contract signed and deposit paid | 1–2 weeks |
| Dry-milling, grading to screen size, moisture to max 13%, defect max 11 | 2–4 weeks |
| Export and EUDR documents prepared | 1–3 weeks |
| Container booking to port cut-off | 2–4 weeks |
| Ocean transit to EU or US ports | 4–8 weeks |
Two of these stages catch buyers out. Milling and grading take real time when a lot must hit specialty screen 16 or above, with a high proportion retained on screen 17–18. And ocean transit from Bali or Surabaya swings widely by route and transhipment, so treat 4–8 weeks as a planning range, not a promise.
When exactly should you pre-book the container?
Reserve container space 4–6 weeks before the intended sailing date. Slots on the busier Bali and Surabaya rotations fill early, and a missed cut-off can push your coffee to the next vessel a week or more later. Line up the following before you book:
- Volume and packaging confirmed — green coffee ships in GrainPro liners inside jute bags; know your bag count and container fill.
- Grade and process locked — washed, natural, honey or semi-washed changes weight, drying time and the milling schedule.
- Documents in progress — certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice and packing list, plus the correct HS code for green coffee.
- EUDR traceability started — plot geolocation and due-diligence records take time to assemble; begin at contract, not at booking.
- Destination clearance mapped — confirm your customs broker and any import requirements at the receiving port.
How does EUDR change your 2026 booking timeline?
Coffee is in-scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation, which requires plot geolocation and due-diligence documentation. That paperwork does not appear at the port; it is assembled from the farm and cooperative level, so it needs to start when you sign, not when you book the vessel. Traceability cues buyers look for include bags specifying Bangli Regency, the GI-protected designation, and a named cooperative or subak (Subak Abian) group. We help buyers prepare EUDR-ready traceability, but no honest supplier can sell you certainty on customs or EUDR outcomes — those rest with the authorities at your destination.
What do current prices mean for timing?
Prices firm up as the harvest peaks and scarce lots clear, which is another reason to move early. As an indicative FOB guide for 2026, subject to change and confirmed on grade, cupping score, lot and MOQ: washed Grade 1 specialty (screen 16+, SCA around 82–84) runs USD 8–11/kg; microlot and natural selections (SCA 84–87+) run USD 10–15+/kg; commodity-grade sits around USD 3.5–6/kg. Cupping scores and grades come only from a lot’s cupping report or COA — never assume a number before you cup. Kintamani Coffee Export is operated by Juara Holding Group, part of Juara Holding Group, an Indonesian group operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book Kintamani coffee shipments from Bali?
Plan on 3–5 months from contract to arrival. Request samples June–August during Kintamani’s May–October harvest, confirm the lot within two to four weeks, then pre-book container space 4–6 weeks before sailing. Booking earlier secures the scarce washed Grade 1 and microlot selections and gives your QC team time to cup before committing.
Can I still get Kintamani green coffee outside the May–October harvest?
Yes, within limits. Well-stored green from the recent harvest is often available into the following months, but selection narrows and moisture and freshness matter more. Naturals and microlots sell out first. Outside the window, expect fewer Grade 1 screen-16+ lots, and confirm current stock, moisture (max 13%) and cupping notes before you contract.
How long does shipping take from Bali to EU or US ports?
Budget roughly 4–8 weeks of ocean transit once the container leaves Bali or Surabaya, plus 2–4 weeks earlier for booking and port cut-off. Green coffee ships in GrainPro and jute bags with a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice and packing list. Add buffer for EUDR due-diligence checks and destination customs clearance, which vary by port.