Cata’s 2026 Roaster Policy Update
Your Guide to Our Standard Terms · VYC-PO31 · Version 1 · 26 June 2026
At Cata, our true passion is coffee. To ensure smooth, efficient operations and keep our focus entirely on sourcing and exporting the best coffees we can find, we have updated and standardized our terms for all roaster partners. This guide summarizes our key policies for Payment Terms, Warehousing, and Logistics.
2025 brought some unexpected challenges. We sadly saw several roasters default on payments and even face bankruptcy. These realities made us realize that we needed to establish clear, consistent, and uniform rules that make sense for everyone and protect the supply chain. Standardizing these commercial and logistical terms allows us to maintain financial order, ensure traceability, guarantee real-time stock availability, and most importantly, allow our teams to dedicate their full energy to the quality of the coffee itself.
We believe in radical transparency. For that reason, we have highlighted in green what would normally be hidden in the fine print. We want to ensure that all the more delicate subjects are openly understood from day one, so you never feel tricked or caught off guard.
1. Partnership Tiers & Payment Terms
To support your roastery’s growth, we have designed a clear pathway that rewards consistency and open communication.
- Tier 1StandardNew & active accounts
- Welcome to the family!
- 100% Upfront, to ensure a seamless logistical and financial flow.
- Payment is due within 10 business days of the invoice date.
- This phase allows us to build a solid, trusting relationship and a healthy credit history together.
After your initial onboarding phase (minimum 3 billing cycles) with a flawless payment record, your account might become eligible for our Preferred tier.
- Tier 2PreferredEstablished accounts
- We value long-term consistency.
- Flexible financing options tailored to support your cash flow, such as 50/50 split payments.
- Based on your purchasing volume, a brief account review and clearance from our financial team.
Requires an active and verified subscription with GoCardless.
The client must have an active and verified subscription with GoCardless.
What is GoCardless? GoCardless is a secure, automated payment platform that allows us to process bank-to-bank split payments efficiently and safely.
2. Maintaining a Healthy Account
We understand that logistics and coffee business cycles can sometimes face unexpected delays. To keep our operations efficient for everyone, we kindly request timely payments based on your agreed terms.
- Late Payments: Payments delayed by more than 20 business days may lead to a temporary pause on upcoming orders and releases.
If an invoice extends past its due date without prior arrangement, a standard late interest charge of 2.1% per week will apply.
- Proactive Support: We are here to help. If you ever anticipate a payment delay, please reach out to us early. We are always open to structuring a flexible payment plan to help you stay on track.
- Restoring Benefits: If your account terms are temporarily paused due to a delay, consistency is the key to recovery. After 4 consecutive on-time payments, your preferred or flexible terms will be fully restored.
3. Warehousing & Storage Policy
- Complimentary Storage: All clients receive 30 calendar days of free warehousing, starting from the invoice date.
- Extended Storage: After 30 days, an automatic storage fee of 10 EUR per bag, per week will be applied and invoiced.
4. Reserved Coffees (Soft Reserve)
A soft reserve is a courtesy hold on inventory designed to give you peace of mind. It guarantees the coffee will not be sold to another buyer while you receive and cup the samples, giving you time to make an informed decision.
- Reserve Window: Coffees placed under a soft reserve will be held for a maximum of 10 calendar days, starting from the date the samples arrive at your roastery.
- Confirmation: If the order is not confirmed and the corresponding payment is not initiated within this 10-day window, the coffees will be automatically released back into available stock.
5. Logistics & Preparation Fees
To ensure your coffee arrives safely and securely, standard preparation fees apply:
| Preparation Service | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet Preparation | Standard secure pallet preparation. | 60 EUR per pallet |
| Loose Preparation | Coffee shipped in boxes without a pallet. | 20 EUR per shipment |
6. Order Fulfillment & Coffee Release
Conditions for Coffee Release: Coffee will be authorized for release only when:
- 1.Full payment (or the agreed-upon partial payment) has been received.
- 2.All corresponding documents are confirmed.
- 3.Any outstanding warehousing fees have been settled.
Price Validity: Quoted prices communicated by your Key Account Manager (KAM) are valid only for the calendar month in which they are quoted. Confirmed orders and prices will not be subject to change.
7. Quality Control & Discrepancies
We hold our coffees to the highest quality criteria. However, should you encounter any discrepancies or have concerns regarding the quality of your order, please notify us within 15 calendar days of receiving your coffee.
If no feedback is provided within this 15-day window, Cata will consider the coffee to be fully approved and accepted by the roaster.