Export ยท Export License
Tea Board Registration
Exporter registration for tea and tea products under the Tea Board.
What is Tea Board Registration?
Tea Board Registration is required for exporting tea from India, administered by the Tea Board under the Ministry of Commerce, which also supports quality certification and export market development for the Indian tea industry.
The Tea Board, constituted under the Tea Act, 1953, exists to promote the development of the Indian tea industry โ regulating cultivation, manufacture, and export quality, running the Darjeeling/Assam/Nilgiri geographical-indication protections, and supporting Indian tea's international market position through promotion and quality assurance.
Tea Board exporter registration applies across the trade chain โ estates exporting their own production, blenders and packers sourcing from multiple gardens, and trading companies exporting bulk or packaged tea all need registration before shipping. It sits alongside IEC and, where relevant, RCMC โ Tea Board registration is the sector-specific compliance requirement, while RCMC (obtainable through the Tea sector's designated council or FIEO, depending on classification) is a separate FTP-incentive-linked certificate.
The Board also administers India's major tea auction and export documentation ecosystem, and registered exporters get access to its export promotion schemes, quality testing support, and participation opportunities at international tea trade events โ relevant for exporters building a presence with overseas buyers beyond a single transaction.
Products/Activities Covered
Who Needs It
Key Benefits
Documents Required
- IEC certificate
- Business registration and tea sourcing/processing details
- Bank certificate
- GST registration certificate
- Estate ownership or sourcing/auction purchase documentation, as applicable
Our Process
Applicant Category Check
We confirm whether you're registering as an estate, blender/packer, or trading exporter, since documentation varies slightly by category.
Documentation Compilation
We compile IEC, GST, and business/sourcing details against the Tea Board's checklist.
Application Filing
The exporter registration application is filed with the Tea Board.
Verification
Business and sourcing details are verified by the Board.
Registration Certificate
The Tea Board exporter registration is issued.
Validity & Renewal
Tea Board exporter registration is currently issued for 5 years from the date of approval and must be renewed before expiry to continue exporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tea Board registration linked to RCMC?
Tea Board registration and the Tea sector's RCMC are related but distinct filings โ we help coordinate both where your business needs each.
Do I need separate registration for green tea versus CTC/orthodox tea?
Registration generally covers the tea categories you declare at application; we confirm whether your specific product mix needs any category-specific documentation.
Can a buyer who purchases tea at auction register as an exporter?
Yes โ auction buyers exporting purchased lots need their own Tea Board exporter registration distinct from the selling estate's registration.
Does packaged/branded tea need different documentation than bulk tea?
The core registration process is similar, though packaged and branded tea exporters may need to additionally address labelling and geographical-indication compliance where applicable (for example, genuine Darjeeling tea claims).
How often is the registration renewed?
Tea Board exporter registration currently runs on a 5-year cycle; we track your registration status and flag renewal timelines proactively.
What happens if I export tea without valid registration?
Export shipments can face customs or regulatory hold without valid Tea Board registration, so we recommend confirming your registration status before committing to an export order.
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