The Tea Board of India, on June 29, 2026, issued Directive No. 02/2026, superseding Directive No. 01/2026, to revise the framework governing the import, testing, and clearance of tea under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005. The directive aligns the import clearance mechanism with the decision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry authorising the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to undertake testing of imported tea.
Under the revised framework, 100% testing by FSSAI shall be carried out for all imported tea consignments meant for re-export, while risk-based testing at an initial rate of 20% shall continue for imported tea intended for domestic consumption. Tea Board shall continue to issue clearance certificates through the Tea Council Portal, ensuring quality and traceability of imported tea.
The accompanying Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribes the process for importers, including submission of import details through the Tea Council Portal, payment of application fees, laboratory testing by FSSAI-approved NABL laboratories, issuance of clearance certificates upon successful testing, and export of imported tea within six months as required under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005. Instant Tea and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Tea have been exempted from the sampling requirements.
[Directive No. 02/2026]
