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Tea Board India: Know the role, benefits, and registration process

Tea Board India is an export promotion agency for tea exports. Learn more about its role, benefits, and registration process to start tea export from India.

India, the second largest producer of tea globally, is known for its range of teas – black, herbal, green, Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, and more – worldwide.¹The Tea Board India, established to promote the export of tea, connects tea producers, brokers, consumers, and government representatives from tea-producing states and trade unions.² In this blog post, we will discuss what the Tea Board India is, its registration process, membership benefits, and role in tea exports.

What is the Tea Board India?

Headquartered in Kolkata, the Tea Board India was established on April 1, 1954, under the Tea Act of 1953. It is a statutory entity of the Central Government and overseen by the Ministry of Commerce.

Roles and functions of the Tea Board of India

With a vision to position India as a leading producer and supplier of quality tea globally, the Tea Board India has a few key functions and responsibilities:

Render technical help to tea farmers and cultivators for manufacturing and marketing quality tea.

Promote tea exports from India.

Undertake research to improve tea production and quality.

Extend limited financial assistance to tea plantation workers through labour welfare schemes.

Provide necessary education to the unorganized sectors of small-scale tea growers.

Collect and maintain statistical data and publication.

Implement schemes assigned by the Central Government towards tea exports growth.³

Products covered under the Tea Board India

Some products that come within the Tea Board’s purview are as follows:

● Darjeeling tea
● Assam tea
● Assam orthodox tea
● Nilgiri tea
● Nilgiri orthodox tea
● Kangra tea
● Tripura tea
● Dooars-terai tea
● Sikkim tea⁴

These products are exported in various forms, including bulk tea, packet tea, tea bags, flavored tea, instant tea, and more.⁵

Some licenses issued by the Tea Board India

Some licenses granted by the Tea Board India are as follows:

1. License for using land as a new tea estate

Tea cultivators who want to grow tea on virgin soil must register with the Tea Board by submitting an application on their official website.⁶

2. Tea waste control license

This license is issued to reduce the misuse of tea waste, ensure that tea waste is dumped safely, and utilize useful residues for other purposes.⁷

3. Exporter license

This is one of the key licenses required to export tea from India – a valid exporter’s license according to the Tea (Distribution & Export) Control Order, 2005. The applicant must fill and submit the exporter license application Form A on the official website of the Tea Board India.⁸

4. Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)

Every registered tea exporter must obtain a Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the Tea Board to access import/export entitlements and duty drawback benefits under India’s Export Import Policy.⁹

5. Tea warehouse license

No warehouse owner may store, blend, or package tea without a license. Exporters must obtain a Tea Warehouse License from the board to store tea in their warehouse.¹⁰

Benefits of Tea Board membership

Some benefits of becoming a member of the Tea Board India are as follows:

• Members can participate in major tea trade shows to showcase the quality of Indian tea to global traders and consumers.
• Members are encouraged to remain competitive in the export market by receiving support to offset transaction costs.
• Members receive expert guidance on selecting high-quality teas for export.
• Members exporting value-added teas in retail packs are eligible for special incentives.
• Members benefit from export incentives that help expand Indian tea into higher-value markets and strengthen its presence in traditional ones.¹¹

Documents required for Tea Board RCMC

Like other export promotion councils in India, the Tea Board India also issues an RCMC to its registered members and exporters. This is an important document required to export tea from India. The following are some documents required in the RCMC application process:

● Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
● Duly filled and signed application form, along with the date and seal of the partner, proprietor, director, and authorized signatory.
● Copy of Tea Board exporter license.
● Declaration on company letterhead stating that the applicant regularly submits monthly export returns (including NIL returns) to the Tea Board.
● Proof of the paid application fee.¹²

Step-by-step guide for Tea Board registration

As a seller or exporter, you can obtain RCMC online on the eGICCS (eGovernance Initiatives for Citizen Centric Services) portal. The following steps provide an overview of the process.

Step 1:

Visit the eGICCS website’s homepage and sign up by submitting your name, company details, and contact information. Register on the portal by providing a user name and password.

Step 2:

After login, select the RCMC button and click on Proceed. Select “Click to Apply” and provide all the mandatory details like the line of business, IEC code, and description of the goods that are to be exported. Now, click “Save and Next”.

Step 3:

An Appendix 19-A form will open up where you will have to provide details like the name and address of the branch offices, factory, SSI registration details, and details of the export license. Again, click on “Save and Next”.

Step 4:

Attach all the required documents and click “Save and Next”. Select the payment mode and complete the RCMC application fee payment.

Step 5:

Now, download the form, sign it, and upload it. After uploading the completed form, you can submit your application to the Tea Board. The RCMC registration is usually issued within two working days of receipt of the application after verification.¹³
Once you’ve obtained an RCMC, you can export tea from India using e-commerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling, which makes your global expansion journey simple and easy.

Step-by-step guide to tea export from India

Amazon Global Selling: Easy e-commerce exports and hassle-free shipping

If you are a business owner and you want to sell your products across the world, Amazon Global Selling enables you to list and sell ‘Made in India’ products on 18+ Amazon global marketplaces. As an e-commerce exports program, Amazon Global Selling provides support and guidance at every step of your exports journey – documents and licenses, logistics, payments, advertising, and more.

Registered sellers can choose to ship their products by themselves through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or they can opt for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfillment to Amazon including packing, storage, delivery, and returns. Amazon Global Selling simplifies the process of international shipping, helping businesses navigate customs and reach a vast audience.

More blogs on commodity boards

1. Coffee Board of India: How to register and get a coffee export license?

2. Rubber Board of India: Promoting export of rubber globally

3. Commodity Boards in India: All you need to know about registration and membership

4. Spices Board of India: Step-by-step guide to register

5. What are the types of Tea Board license and how to register?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tea Board RCMC certificate?

The Tea Board's Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a certificate that allows sellers to export tea from India. ¹⁴

How can I get an FSSAI tea license?

FSSAI food safety license is important for tea business operators, including manufacturers, packers and exporters, among others. Depending on the nature and size of the business, there are three different types of FSSAI licenses granted – basic, state, and central.¹⁵

What is the application fee for the Tea Board registration certificate?

The application and membership fees for Tea Board registration can vary. Exporters should refer to the Tea Board website for accurate details.¹⁶

Visit Exports Compliance Dashboard to get expert support on documentation

What is the validity of the Tea Board exporter’s license?

The Exporter’s licensure is valid for three years from the date of issuance.¹⁷

What is the objective of the Tea Board India?

The main goal of Tea Board India is to promote tea production and facilitate the export of Indian tea to different parts of the world.¹⁸

What is the mission of the Tea Board India?

The Tea Board India aims to:
• Develop strategies to enhance competence and innovation in tea plantations.
• Modernize technologies to improve tea quality and boost exports.
• Strengthen research and development in tea cultivation and technology.
• Build capacity across the tea industry through training and innovation.¹⁹

Published on March 22, 2022.

Sources:

1. https://www.ibef.org/exports/indian-tea-industry.aspx
2. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/NA==
3. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/NA==
4. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/MzI5NQ==
5. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/tea-board-india/
6. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/policy/Guidelines_for_obtaining_License.pdf
7. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/Tea_Waste_Cntro_Order_final_pdf3815.pdf
8. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/new_guideline_exporte_pdf9814.pdf
9. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/Guidelines_RCMC_pdf705.pdf
10. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/Guidelines_Warehouse_pdf6585.pdf
11. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/tea-board-india/#
12. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/tea-board-india/#
13. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/tea-board-india/#
14. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/tea-board-india/#
15. https://fssaiindia.in/fssai-food-safety-license-registration-for/tea-powder-manufacturer/
16. https://onlineapps.teaboard.gov.in/fee-support-doc/Fee-Structure.html
17. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/annual_report/Chapter%207.pdf
18. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/tea-board-india/#
19. https://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/NDU=

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