Export Tea (Black / Green / Specialty) from India: Buyers, Process & Requirements
How to export Tea (Black / Green / Specialty) from India, who buys it, the quality and documentation buyers expect, and how to connect with verified export buyers.
Top export markets for Tea (Black / Green / Specialty)
How to export Tea (Black / Green / Specialty) from India
Obtain an IEC from DGFT and register with the Tea Board of India, which licenses and regulates tea exporters and registers warehouses and brokers. Source from registered gardens or auctions, blend and pack in an FSSAI-compliant unit, and meet the importing country's MRL and food-safety requirements, which are strict in the EU. Grade and test for quality, moisture and residues, using accredited labs where the market requires it. Pack in food-grade, moisture-barrier packaging suited to bulk or retail, and label per the destination, including any GI such as Darjeeling. Agree Incoterms and a secure payment method such as advance or letter of credit with the buyer first, then confirm Tea Board registration, MRL limits and market access on the Tea Board, APEDA-linked and FSSAI portals before booking.
Quality and standards buyers expect
Meet destination MRL limits, which are strict in the EU, plus moisture and quality grades. Tea should be true to type and grade, free from off-flavours, excess moisture and contamination; specialty and orthodox teas command quality-based interest. Confirm exact grades and residue limits per buyer and market.
Packaging
Multiwall paper sacks or food-grade lined bags for bulk, or printed retail packs and cartons, all with moisture-barrier protection; label clearly and use the GI name only for genuine origin tea.
Demand and opportunity
Large and established demand, with strong bulk markets in the Gulf, Russia, Iran and the CIS, plus premium interest in Darjeeling, Assam orthodox and specialty teas in Europe and elsewhere. Demand is real but competitive against other origins and sensitive to EU residue rules. Verify buyer demand directly.
GI tags and premium positioning
Darjeeling, Assam (Orthodox), Nilgiri (Orthodox), Kangra and Munnar teas are registered GIs; use the GI name only for genuinely sourced tea.
Common pitfalls and scams to avoid
MRL rejection in the EU; quality and moisture downgrades; misuse of GI names; competition from other origins; and advance-fee or fake-buyer scams.
Indicative HS code: 0902 (tea, whether or not flavoured), with sub-lines for green and black, bulk and packaged. Confirm the exact 8-digit line on the DGFT schedule.. Confirm the exact 8-digit code, current export policy, fees and MRLs on the official Tea Board of India portal before you ship.