Want to sell tea under your own brand name without owning a factory? Private label tea packaging is your answer. This guide covers everything from costs to the actual production process — with numbers aligned to our detailed packaging format comparison for full transparency.
What is Private Label Tea Packaging?
Private labelling means a manufacturer packages tea with YOUR brand name and logo. You focus on sales and marketing while they handle sourcing and production — see our guide on starting your own tea brand for the fuller picture on licensing, investment, and positioning before you commit to a first order.
Cost Breakdown
Setup Costs
- Packaging design: ₹5,000–₹15,000 (one-time)
- Printing cylinders (rotogravure, for high-volume pouch printing): ₹15,000–₹50,000 (one-time, per design + size) — see our packaging comparison guide for why this only makes sense once you're ordering in the thousands of kg. For a smaller first order, digital printing or stock pouches (as low as 200–2,000 units, no cylinder needed) is the more practical starting point.
- FSSAI License: ₹100–₹2,000/year depending on turnover tier — see our license guide for the full FSSAI, Tea Board, and Legal Metrology requirements that apply to private label sellers specifically.
Per-Kg Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tea (bulk) | ₹200–₹350/kg |
| Packaging material — pouches (digital/small order) | ₹10–₹12/kg |
| Packaging material — pouches (rotogravure, at scale) | ₹8–₹10/kg |
| Packaging material — jars (standard PET) | ₹35/kg |
| Labour/packing | ₹10–₹15/kg |
| Total (pouch, small order) | ≈ ₹220–₹377/kg |
| Total (jar, standard) | ≈ ₹245–₹400/kg |
Packaging material cost varies significantly by format — pouches and jars aren't interchangeable in this calculation. See our full packaging cost breakdown for the complete comparison, including the worked example of a first 200kg order.
Sourcing tea for your business?
Get wholesale pricing on premium CTC, Assam, and Darjeeling teas. We dispatch free samples across India within 48 hours.
Request Free Samples →Minimum Order Quantities
- Small packers (digital printing/stock pouches): 100–500 kg
- Medium manufacturers (early rotogravure runs): 500–2,000 kg
- Large facilities (full rotogravure economics): 2,000+ kg — real contract manufacturing listings in India commonly cite 1,000kg as the entry point for full OEM-style production, confirming this isn't an unusually high bar for the industry.
Volume isn't just about unit cost — it directly affects your margin too. Per-unit packaging and setup costs typically drop 25–35% once you scale from a small trial run into a larger production batch, which is exactly why our profit margin guide shows private label margins climbing as volume grows, not just staying flat.
The Process
- Choose your blend: Select tea grade and blend ratio — see our blending guide for the base/strength/top-note method, and our tea grades guide if you're unsure what BP, BOP, or PD actually mean for your final cup.
- Design packaging: Create your brand identity, and make sure your design includes the legally required declarations (net weight, MRP, manufacturer details, packing date) — see our license guide for what Legal Metrology requires.
- Sample approval: Test the final product before committing to a full production run — our quality identification guide covers the professional tasting process worth applying at this stage, not just a quick taste.
- Production: Bulk packing begins.
- Delivery: Receive your branded products — once they arrive, proper storage matters just as much as sourcing did; see our storage guide for keeping your branded stock fresh until it sells.
Manish Tea Traders Private Label Service
We offer complete private label solutions:
- MOQ: 100 kg (flexible for new brands)
- Custom blending available
- Quality assurance testing
- Pan-India delivery
Learn more about our private label service or contact us for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private label tea packaging cost per kg?
For a small first order using pouches (digital printing), expect roughly ₹220–280/kg all-in (tea + packaging + labour). Using jars pushes this higher, roughly ₹245–400/kg, depending on tea grade and jar quality. Rotogravure pouch printing becomes more cost-effective per kg only once you're ordering in the thousands of kg — see our full packaging comparison guide for the detailed breakdown.
What is the minimum order quantity for private label tea?
Many suppliers, including Manish Tea Traders, offer a 100 kg MOQ for new private label brands — you don't need a large upfront commitment to launch your own branded tea.
What licenses do I need for private label tea packaging?
At minimum, FSSAI registration is mandatory. If you're packing your own tea (not just reselling), you also need Legal Metrology registration (₹500 flat fee) for correct package labelling, and depending on your activities, Tea Board of India registration may apply too — see our complete license guide.
Related Reading
- Tea Packaging Comparison: Pouches vs. Jars vs. Loose Tea
- Starting Your Own Tea Brand: Complete Private Label Guide
- License Required for Tea Business in India
- How to Blend Tea for Your Own Tea Packing Brand
- Tea Grades Explained: Full Forms of BP, BOP, OF, PD
- How to Identify Good Quality Tea for Bulk Buying
- How to Store Your First Bulk Tea Order
- Tea Business Profit Margin Guide