1.1   This International Standard specifies a method of sampling a consignment of instant coffee, shipped in ten units or more, for the purpose of examination to determine whether the consignment complies with a contract specification.

The cases used have inner linings of moisture-resistant material hermetically sealed because of the hygroscopic nature of instant coffee, and are in units greater than 10 kg net mass, typically up to 50 kg. This method is also applicable to units of more than 50 kg, usually named as big bags or supersacks. The cases are generally made of cardboard of appropriate strength and the big bags are made of suitable plastic material.