What is a quality claim in green coffee trading?

A quality claim is a formal request from a buyer to a seller for compensation - typically a discount on future purchases or a partial refund - when a shipment of green coffee arrives in materially worse condition than the approved pre-shipment sample.

Quality claims arise when there's a meaningful discrepancy between what was approved and what was received: a higher defect count than expected, a cup profile that has shifted significantly, or physical damage to the lot during transit. They're most common when long transit times, poor storage conditions, or handling issues have degraded the coffee between PSS approval and arrival.

Arbitration - escalating to a formal third-party dispute resolution process - is possible but should be a last resort. Most quality claim situations are resolved through direct communication: a clear, evidence-based explanation of the discrepancy, supported by cupping notes and green grading data, gives both parties the basis for a fair resolution. Long-term trading relationships are built on handling these situations with transparency on both sides.