Tea Board cracks down on substandard imports

The tea buyers directed not to blend imported tea with teas of Darjeeling/Kangra/Assam (Orthodox)/Nilgiri (Oththodox)

All importers directed to ensure that origin of imported tea is mentioned in all their sale invoices and not to pass off imported tea as teas of Indian origin

All distributors of tea directed not to blend cheap and inferior quality imported teas with Indian Origin teas for domestic consumption

Manufacturers of Darjeeling tea directed not to purchase green leaf from the outside GI area

As compared to India’s tea production, tea imports are minimal

Centre has taken a strict step to ensure that sub-standard teas are not imported and distributed in India. A notification in this regard has been issued today. Asper the directions of the Minister of Commerce and Industries, four circulars have been issued by the Tea Board on 11.11.2021 under the Tea Marketing Control Order, 2003, Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005 for protection of Darjeeling GI as detailed below:

(i) All importers have been directed to ensure that origin of imported tea is mentioned in all their sale invoices and not to pass off imported tea as teas of Indian origin.

(ii) All distributors of tea have been directed not to blend cheap and inferior quality imported teas with Indian Origin teas for domestic consumption.

(iii) Manufacturers of Darjeeling tea have been directed not to purchase green leaf from the outside GI area.

(iv) The tea buyers have been directed not to blend imported tea with teas of Darjeeling/Kangra/Assam (Orthodox)/Nilgiri (Oththodox).

In order to ensure compliance of the above directions, Tea Board has started surprise checks on distributors/importers especially of Nepal Tea. Surprise check of 3 units in Siliguri was conducted on 11.11.2021 and samples were drawn for testing.

It may be noted that there have been some reports highlighting surge in import of tea which is adversely affecting the Domestic Indian Tea Industry. This is not true. Percentage of imports to total tea production is normally in the range of  1- 2%, out of which sizeable quantity is meant for re-export and not meant for domestic use.   The main purposes of tea imports into India is re-exports upon value addition and for blending purposes.  As compared to India’s tea production, tea imports are minimal.

Origin labelling and anti blending rule: imported teas must be disclosed and cannot be blended with protected Indian teas. Directions under the Tea Marketing Control Order, 2003 and the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005 require importers to state origin on sale invoices and prohibit passing off imports as Indian-origin tea; bar distributors from blending inferior imported teas with Indian-origin teas for domestic consumption; prohibit Darjeeling manufacturers from buying green leaf from outside the GI area; and prevent buyers from blending imported tea with Darjeeling, Kangra, Assam (Orthodox) or Nilgiri (Orthodox) teas. The Tea Board will conduct surprise inspections and sample testing to enforce these measures.