Cocoa Beans, Whole or Broken, Raw or Roasted

Côte d'Ivoire is the dominant supplier of cocoa beans to the US market, followed by Ecuador and the Dominican Republic — a sourcing geography that makes origin traceability and sustainability certification (Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, UTZ) central commercial concerns for chocolate manufacturers and specialty roasters. The US schedule separates organic beans (1801000010) from non-organic (1801000090), with a legacy base line (1801000000) also present, and raw beans carry a duty-free rate under most preferential programs. USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements govern the importation of raw cocoa beans, and FDA oversight applies to roasted product; importers should confirm that foreign phytosanitary certificates accompany raw shipments to avoid holds at the port of entry.