Feds Ease Coffee Imports to Hawaii Over Pest Worries
Published Date: 8/5/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
We are proposing to amend the regulations regarding the importation of unroasted coffee and related articles into Hawaii and Puerto Rico by establishing a notice-based process for changes to the prohibitions on importing such articles. We would also broaden language regarding coffee pests. We are proposing these amendments because they would allow the Agency to more efficiently respond to market access requests as well as to emerging pest situations. These amendments would allow us to use a streamlined approach to update the importation conditions for unroasted coffee and related articles while continuing to protect plant health.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster approvals for green-coffee import requests
APHIS would replace full rulemaking with a notice-based process to authorize unroasted coffee, coffee leaves, or empty sacks for importation into Hawaii or Puerto Rico. APHIS must publish a pest risk analysis for at least 60 days of public comment and then publish a Federal Register notice announcing its decision; this streamlined path is intended to let importers and stakeholders get decisions faster than formal rulemaking.
Broader pest standard: 'quarantine pests'
The rule would remove references to two specific pests and replace them with the broader term "quarantine pest," defined as a pest not yet present or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled. This lets APHIS analyze and respond to a wider set of pest risks when deciding whether to allow imports into Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Possible wider green-bean supply and lower blend prices
While the proposed rule does not itself allow new imports, APHIS says the streamlined process could make it easier in the future to import more foreign-grown green coffee into Hawaii and Puerto Rico. If imports expand, consumers of blended coffee products in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere could see greater supply or lower prices for blends.
ACIR becomes the import-requirements source
APHIS would point importers to the USDA Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database for the names, origins, and specific requirements for any articles authorized for import into Hawaii and Puerto Rico. ACIR entries must be consulted online or requested in hard copy by phone or email.
Agency expects limited small-business effects
APHIS states its initial regulatory flexibility analysis found no reason to expect this proposed rule would cause a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities, but the Agency says it lacks some data and is inviting comments on potential effects.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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