Key facts
- India exported US$832 million of tea in FY2024-25 (dgciskol.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: Russia; Iran; UAE; USA; UK; Germany (named, no values)
- 4 production clusters mapped, in Kerala; Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Karnataka.
- Market guides for 19 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS Food Safety, Halal certificate and more.
- Typical minimum order: LCL from a few chests/sacks; one 20' container for bulk CTC (about 10-14 MT) (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's second-largest tea producer and a top-five exporter. DGCI&S reports tea (HS 0902) exports of US$ 832.13 million in FY2024-25, while the Tea Board puts the figure at US$ 887.96 million. Named leading destinations include Russia, Iran, the UAE, the USA, the UK and Germany.
Assam (Brahmaputra valley) produces strong, malty CTC and orthodox teas and is the volume base; Darjeeling (West Bengal hills) produces India's first GI product, prized light and muscatel orthodox teas; Nilgiri and other South Indian teas (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) are bright, brisk teas suited to blending and iced tea. Dooars and Terai in West Bengal add further CTC supply.
Tea is traded through the Kolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, Coonoor, Kochi and Coimbatore auction centres and by private sale. Buyers specify grade (BOP, BP, PD, Dust for CTC; FTGFOP, TGFOP, FOP, OP, BOP for orthodox), garden or region, flush, and pesticide-residue compliance.
HS note: Black tea in packings ≤ 3 kg is 0902 30; green tea 0902 10 / 0902 20; instant tea and extracts 2101 20.
Specifications
| 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) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Assam CTC - BOP, BP, BOPSM, PF, PD, Dust
Strong, fast-brewing teas for tea bags and milk tea.
Assam orthodox - TGFOP, FOP, BOP, GBOP
Leaf grades for specialty and breakfast blends.
Darjeeling first / second flush - FTGFOP1, SFTGFOP
GI-protected premium orthodox teas.
Nilgiri CTC and orthodox
Bright, brisk teas for blending and iced tea.
Green and specialty teas
Green, white and oolong in small volumes.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | Paper sacks / poly-lined bags of 20-60 kg (grade-dependent) | Palletised, foil-lined for specialty teas |
| Retail | 100 g-1 kg packs, tea bags, tins | Private label via blending/packing units |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 10-14 MT (CTC); about 6-9 MT (leaf orthodox) · 40' HC about 18-24 MT (CTC). Leaf grades are volume-limited
Customisation: Custom blends, tea bags, retail packs, Rainforest Alliance/organic estate teas where available
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
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
Market requirements by region
European Union
Germany is a named destination and a major Darjeeling re-blending hub; EU MRLs (e.g. anthraquinone, glyphosate) are the main compliance issue. India-EU FTA concluded Jan 2026, not yet in force (reported).
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. The USA is a named destination; US tariff exemptions for tea were reported in late 2025 - verify current treatment.
United Kingdom
UK: the India-UK CETA entered into force on 15 July 2026 (reported) - claim preference with proof of origin; higher-risk food needs IPAFFS pre-notification. UK blenders buy Assam and Darjeeling; CETA in force from 15 July 2026 (reported).
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE is a named leading destination (DGCI&S/Tea Board) and a re-export hub for Iran and the wider region; CEPA preference with CEPA certificate of origin.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Tasting and grade verification against sample
- • Pesticide residue testing (EU MRLs)
- • Pre-shipment inspection on request
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • USDA Organic (NOP)
- • EU Organic
- • Geographical Indication (GI)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • 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)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Tea | 832.1 | verified | dgciskol.gov.in |
Top destinations: Russia; Iran; UAE; USA; UK; Germany (named, no values)
Export markets
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to United States
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to Netherlands
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to Canada
- Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri exporter to Oman
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do you offer private-label tea?
Custom blends, tea bags and retail packs can be produced through partner blending and packing units.
How much tea does India export?
DGCI&S reports US$ 832.13 million in FY2024-25 (Tea Board: US$ 887.96 million).
Request a quote for Indian Tea - Assam CTC and Orthodox, Darjeeling, Nilgiri
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