At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA, DAP
India's indian tea - assam ctc and orthodox, darjeeling, nilgiri export trade
India exported US$832.1 mn of tea in FY2024-25 according to dgciskol.gov.in. That statistical line covers more than indian tea - assam ctc and orthodox, darjeeling, nilgiri; a product-level figure is not published.
Largest destinations by value share: Russia; Iran; UAE; USA; UK; Germany (named, no values)
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Federal food registration / import permit (MOCCAE); Company & product registration before arrival (Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept) | 3-6 days |
| Saudi Arabia | Importer & product registration (SFDA); Clearance documents (SFDA via FASAH) | 6-10 days |
| United Kingdom | Pre-notification (Defra / APHA / FSA); Labelling (FSA / Defra) | 20-26 via Suez; 30-37 via Cape days |
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 20–25 d to Le Havre; 15–20 d to Marseille-Fos (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Italy | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 15–20 d to Genoa/La Spezia via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Spain | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| United States | Facility registration (FDA); Advance notice of each shipment (FDA) | 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days |
| Canada | Importer licence & controls (CFIA (SFCR)); Labelling (CFIA / Health Canada) | 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days |
| Qatar | General import clearance | 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Kuwait | General import clearance | 8–12 d to Shuwaikh/Shuaiba, usually via Jebel Ali (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Oman | General import clearance | 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bahrain | General import clearance | 7–10 d via Jebel Ali/Dammam (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 28–35 d to Gdańsk (direct Asia–Baltic loops or via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sweden | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 28–35 d to Gothenburg via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Denmark | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Ireland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 25–32 d to Dublin via Rotterdam/Antwerp/UK feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where indian tea - assam ctc and orthodox, darjeeling, nilgiri is sourced in India
Assam — Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Golaghat. Upper Assam estates; Guwahati Tea Auction Centre
West Bengal — Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri (Dooars). Darjeeling Tea GI (India's first GI, 2004)
Tamil Nadu — Nilgiris, Coimbatore. Nilgiri teas; Coonoor auction
Kerala — Idukki (Munnar), Wayanad. South Indian orthodox and CTC; Kochi auction
- Kochi spice trade hub (Mattancherry) / Wayanad (Kerala; Karnataka) · ships via Cochin · season: Harvest Dec-Feb (ASSUMPTION)
- Upper Assam estates; Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (Assam) · ships via Kolkata/Haldia · season: First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; rains Jul-Sep; autumnal Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION - standard flush calendar)
- Darjeeling hills (87 gardens); Kolkata/Siliguri auctions (West Bengal) · GI tagged · ships via Kolkata/Haldia · season: First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; autumn Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION)
- Coonoor auction centre; Kochi auction (Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Karnataka) · ships via Cochin · season: Year-round plucking, peak Apr-Jun & Oct-Dec (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 6-7% (typical) |
| Total ash | 4-8% (ISO 3720 / FSSAI; typical) |
| Water extract | ≥ 32% (ISO 3720 minimum) |
| Crude fibre | ≤ 16.5% (ISO 3720 maximum) |
| Residues | Within EU/destination MRLs (EU buyers test anthraquinone, pesticides) |
Agreed per contract and confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Export documentation
Documents we prepare or arrange for each shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- Tea Board export registration/licence reference
- Certificate of analysis
- Phytosanitary certificate if required
- Darjeeling certification-trademark documentation (for Darjeeling)
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for indian tea - assam ctc and orthodox, darjeeling, nilgiri exported from India?
Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri is usually classified under HS 090240 (Black tea (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in packings exceeding 3 kg). Black tea in packings ≤ 3 kg is 0902 30; green tea 0902 10 / 0902 20; instant tea and extracts 2101 20.
Where is indian tea - assam ctc and orthodox, darjeeling, nilgiri produced in India?
Main clusters: Kochi spice trade hub (Mattancherry) / Wayanad, Kerala; Karnataka; Upper Assam estates; Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, Assam; Darjeeling hills (87 gardens); Kolkata/Siliguri auctions, West Bengal; Coonoor auction centre; Kochi auction, Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Karnataka.
Which documents are needed to export indian tea - assam ctc and orthodox, darjeeling, nilgiri?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Tea Board export registration/licence reference, Certificate of analysis, Phytosanitary certificate if required. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What is the difference between CTC and orthodox tea?
CTC (crush-tear-curl) produces small granules that brew strong and fast, ideal for tea bags and milk tea; orthodox tea keeps whole or broken leaves for more nuanced flavour.
Is Darjeeling tea protected?
Yes, Darjeeling Tea was India's first Geographical Indication (2004) and is also protected as a certification trademark by the Tea Board.
Can I buy through Indian tea auctions?
Teas can be bought at the Kolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, Coonoor and Kochi auctions through registered buyers, or by private sale from estates.
Market guides
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to Netherlands
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to United States
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to Canada
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to Oman
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