Mandatory Quality Testing for Imported Tea Shipments

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Dated: 23.04.2026

Mandatory Quality Testing for Imported Tea Shipments

The Tea Board of India has issued a landmark directive, effective from May 1, 2026, mandating rigorous quality testing for all imported tea consignments. This move aims to safeguard the reputation of Indian tea, ensure consumer trust, and address concerns about adulteration and quality standards amid rising imports. The directive is backed by recommendations from the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce and is enforced under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005.

Why This Directive Matters

With increasing imports and risks of adulteration, the Indian tea industry faces challenges in maintaining its global reputation. The new directive introduces stricter monitoring, transparency, and quality assurance, benefiting:

Consumers: Ensures only high-quality teas enter the Indian market.
Exporters & Importers: Provides clear guidelines and compliance mechanisms.
Indian Tea Producers: Protects the integrity of Indian-origin teas.

Key Provisions of the Directive

1. Mandatory Testing of Imported Tea

Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Scope: All import consignments of tea must be tested for quality as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Tea Board.
Exemptions: Instant Tea and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) tea are exempted from sampling requirements.

2. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Importers

Registration & Application

Importers must be licensed under the Tea (Distribution & Export) Control Order, 2005.
Submit import details (arrival date, warehouse, containers, proforma invoice) via the Tea Council Portal.
Pay an application fee of Rs. 11,120 plus GST per sample.

Sample Collection & Testing

Upon arrival, Tea Board officials randomly select containers and draw two sets of 500g samples within 24 hours (or from the warehouse if not possible at the port).
Samples are sealed, anonymized, and sent to NABL-accredited labs for FSSAI parameter testing.
Composite blended samples are created from various teas within the selected container to represent the shipment.
Labs upload test reports within 14 days; results are marked as Pass or Fail.

Clearance & Storage

Teas must be stored separately in the warehouse until final clearance is issued.
No tea can be re-exported or sold domestically before clearance.

Failed Samples & Appeals

If a sample fails, importers receive an alert and may request testing of the reserve sample at another lab (fee: Rs. 15,000 plus GST).
If the reserve sample also fails, the tea is disposed of as waste or may be returned to the original country and buyer.
Importers can request individual invoice testing if the composite blend fails.

3. Export Requirements

Imported teas for export must be re-exported within six months.
Export must achieve at least 50% value addition, calculated as:
- Value Addition (V.A) = 100 x (A – B) / B
- Where A = FOB price of exported tea, B = CIF price of imported tea.
All export consignments containing Indian teas blended with imported teas must declare this on packaging and documents (Phytosanitary Certificate, Health Certificate, Certificate of Origin, etc.).

4. Transparency & Compliance

Mandatory labelling and source declarations for all re-exported or blended teas.
Customs-linked surveillance at ports, regular market audits, and sample testing at retail points.
All changes to SOP will be published on the Tea Board website under “Policy and Legislation”.

Who Must Comply?

All licensed importers, exporters, tea producers, manufacturers, and buyers under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005.
Associations and stakeholders are required to circulate the directive and SOP among their members and upload it on their websites.

Conclusion

The Tea Board of India’s new directive marks a significant step towards ensuring the quality and integrity of imported teas. By enforcing mandatory testing, transparent labelling, and strict compliance procedures, the Board aims to protect consumers, uphold the reputation of Indian tea, and foster a fair and competitive market.

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Source: Tea Board of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India

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