How to Start a Fair Trade Coffee Shop
The intent of a fair trade business is to import the products from a foreign supplier. The business owner receives quality products while supplying foreign farmers and laborers with a good wage and safe working environment. Starting a fair trade coffee shop does require a decent amount of work. However, the benefits of establishing such a business are endless. The owner provides a unique and authentic product while supporting the foreign market and giving the workers a quality of life that would not be attainable without decent employment.
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Things You'll Need
- Reliable supply source
- Means of transportation for products
- Customs license for products
- Fair trade certification
- Business/occupational license for the state
- Business location
Instructions
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Locate a reliable supplier to begin the process of importing the coffee that will be sold at the fair trade coffee shop. The Fair Trade Federation website helps individuals who are beginning a fair trade business by providing them with a list of reputable and dependable suppliers for all available products. Review the list of coffee suppliers and call the federation to discuss the selection if necessary.
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Choose a supplier and form a business contract that specifies the products that will be supplied in addition to the upkeep of the work environment, number of workers, and salaries. The Fair Trade Federation website explains that fair trade businesses are important for the business owner as well as the foreign workers. A successful business not only benefits individuals in the United States, but it also gives foreign laborers a dependable form of employment.
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Secure a reliable form of transportation to import the coffee. The Fair Trade Federation website explains that products are usually transported using trucks, airplanes and ships depending on where the foreign goods are coming from. It is important that the business owner develop quality contracts with transportation companies to ensure the coffee will be delivered on time once the coffee shop is open to the public.
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Visit the U.S. Customs website to review and address the laws for importing products into the United States. All requirements and documentation must be met for the products to be allowed into the country. For coffee to be imported successfully, each shipment must have entry documents, invoices, and correct packaging to pass the inspection process.
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Obtain Fair Trade Certification before opening the coffee shop. Once a business owner gets the certification, he or she can market the products as fair trade merchandise. Apply for a business or occupational license from the state to open the fair trade coffee shop and advertise the quality imported coffee.
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References
- Photo Credit coffee image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
