How to Export Tea from India: Tea Board Registration, Grades and Buyers
India is one of the world's largest tea producers, with Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiri among the best-known origins. Buyers range from packers and blenders in Russia, the Gulf, Iran and the UK to specialty tea brands in Europe, Japan and the USA. Tea is sold by origin, grade and season, so knowing how buyers describe tea is the first step.
To export tea from India, register with the Tea Board, which issues the exporter registration, and get an IEC, GST registration with an LUT. Tea falls under HS heading 0902, split into green and black tea in small or bulk packs. Buy at auction or privately from estates, agree grade and origin, test for pesticide residues and contaminants, and pack in paper sacks for bulk or retail packs and tea bags for consumers.
Registrations you need
- Tea Board registration: required to export tea under the Tea Act, 1953. See the Tea Board registration guide.
- IEC, GST and LUT: see the IEC guide and the LUT guide.
- FSSAI: needed for blending and packing. See FSSAI for exporters.
HS codes and grades
- 0902 10 and 0902 20: green tea in packs up to 3 kg, and in larger packs.
- 0902 30 and 0902 40: black tea in packs up to 3 kg, and in larger packs.
- 2101 20: tea extracts and instant tea.
CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea gives a strong, quick brew and is used for tea bags and milk tea; common grades include BP, BOP, PF and Dust. Orthodox tea is rolled whole leaf, graded as FTGFOP, TGFOP, FOP, BOP and fannings. Darjeeling is a protected geographical indication, so only tea grown in the registered Darjeeling gardens may use the name and logo.
Sourcing: auctions and private sales
Tea is sold through auctions in Kolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, Coonoor, Coimbatore and Kochi, and through private sales directly from estates. Buyers often ask for samples of each lot before purchase, so build a relationship with brokers and estates that can supply consistent quality across seasons, such as first flush and second flush for Darjeeling and Assam.
Quality, residues and packing
The EU, the UK and Japan have strict pesticide residue limits for tea, so test each lot and keep the reports. Buyers also check moisture, foreign matter and, for some markets, anthraquinone and heavy metals. Bulk tea ships in multi-wall paper sacks or foil-lined bags; retail tea ships in cartons, tins or tea bags with labels that follow the destination's rules. Ship in dry, odour-free containers, because tea absorbs smells.
Pricing and payment
Quote per kg FOB or CIF by origin, grade and season. Auction prices move weekly, so keep the validity short for bulk tea. Specialty and packaged teas carry higher margins but need branding and marketing. For new buyers, take an advance or a letter of credit. See the payment terms guide.
Where to find tea buyers
Russia, the UAE, Iran, Iraq, the UK, the USA, Germany, Egypt and Kazakhstan are major buyers of Indian tea. On BuyGenix you can see live black tea requirements, green tea buyers and tea bag buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tea Board registration needed to export tea?
Yes. Exporters of tea must register with the Tea Board under the Tea Act, 1953.
What is the HS code for black tea?
Black tea falls under HS code 0902 30 in packs up to 3 kg and 0902 40 in larger packs.
What is the difference between CTC and orthodox tea?
CTC tea is crushed, torn and curled into small granules for a strong, quick brew. Orthodox tea is rolled whole leaf and is graded by leaf size.
Which countries import tea from India?
Russia, the UAE, Iran, Iraq, the UK, the USA, Germany, Egypt and Kazakhstan are among the largest buyers.
Need Tea Board registration?
We handle IEC, GST, LUT and Tea Board registration for tea exporters.
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