Export Tea from India: Complete Documentation Guide (2026)

India exports 250+ million kg of tea annually. Learn how to export tea from India with proper documentation.

Essential Licenses & Registrations

1. IEC (Import Export Code)

• Issued by: DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
• Cost: ₹500 (online)
• Time: 2-3 days
• Validity: Lifetime

2. FSSAI License

• Type needed: Central License (for export)
• Cost: ₹7,500/year
• Mandatory: For all food exports

3. Tea Board Registration

• Required for: Tea exporters
• Benefits: Export subsidies, market access
• Contact: Tea Board of India, Kolkata

4. APEDA Registration (Optional)

• For: Organic tea exports
• Benefits: Certification support

Quality & Testing Requirements

MRL (Maximum Residue Limits) Compliance

Different countries have different pesticide limits:

• EU: Strictest standards (400+ pesticides tested)
• USA: FDA regulations
• Japan: Positive list system
• Middle East: Moderate standards

Testing Labs (NABL Accredited)

• Tea Research Association, Kolkata
• FSSAI approved labs
• Cost: ₹15,000-₹30,000 per test
• Time: 7-10 days

Export Documentation

Pre-Shipment Documents

1. Proforma Invoice: Detailed quotation
2. Purchase Order: From buyer
3. Letter of Credit: Payment guarantee (if applicable)

Shipping Documents

1. Commercial Invoice: Final bill
2. Packing List: Container details
3. Bill of Lading: Shipping receipt
4. Certificate of Origin: India origin proof
5. Phytosanitary Certificate: Plant health certificate
6. Test Report: MRL compliance
7. FSSAI Certificate: Food safety compliance

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Packaging Requirements

Export-Grade Packaging

• Material: Food-grade aluminum foil + PE
• Sizes: 25kg, 30kg, or 40kg bags
• Labeling: Country-specific requirements
• Palletization: For container loading

Shipping Process

Container Options

• 20ft Container: 10-12 tons
• 40ft Container: 20-24 tons
• Cost: ₹80,000-₹1,50,000 (to major ports)

Major Export Ports

• Kolkata: Nearest to Siliguri (600 km)
• Mumbai: For Middle East/Africa
• Chennai: For Southeast Asia

Cost Breakdown (Example: 1 Container to UAE)

• Tea (20 tons @ ₹250/kg): ₹50,00,000
• Packaging: ₹1,00,000
• Testing: ₹25,000
• Documentation: ₹15,000
• Freight: ₹1,20,000
• Insurance: ₹30,000
• Total: ₹52,90,000
• Selling Price: ₹60,00,000+
• Profit: ₹7,00,000+ (13%)

Payment Terms

Common Methods

• Letter of Credit (LC): Safest for new buyers
• Advance Payment: 30-50% upfront
• CAD (Cash Against Documents): Medium risk

Manish Tea Traders Export Support

We assist with export orders:

• MRL-compliant tea sourcing
• Export documentation support
• Container stuffing supervision
• Quality certification

Contact us for export-ready tea.

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