Tea Board laboratory testing
Imported tea consignments will now undergo compulsory sampling and lab analysis under the Tea Board’s new SOP.

Guwahati: In a major regulatory overhaul aimed at tightening quality checks and curbing adulteration risks, the Tea Board of India has made laboratory testing mandatory for all imported tea consignments entering the country from May 1, 2026.

In its directive No. 01/2026 dated February 10, 2026, the Board announced that every import consignment will undergo compulsory sampling and testing under a newly notified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The move follows recommendations made by the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce in its 194th report, which flagged rising imports and potential quality risks and called for stricter monitoring, transparency, and protection of Indian tea’s global reputation.

Notably, mandatory sample testing of imported tea had been discontinued in July 2018 due to operational reasons, although online clearance certificates continued to be issued. The new directive effectively restores physical sampling and laboratory analysis at ports, marking the return of direct quality verification.

Under the new SOP:

  1. Tea Board officials will draw two 500-gram samples from randomly selected containers within 24 hours of arrival.
  2. Samples will be sent to NABL-accredited laboratories for testing of FSSAI parameters.
  3. Importers must pay Rs 11,120 plus GST per sample for initial testing.

In case of failure, importers can seek reserve sample testing for ?15,000 plus GST.

Crucially, no imported tea can be used for re-export or domestic sale until a final clearance certificate is issued.

If a sample fails and the reserve sample also does not pass, the consignment will be disposed of as tea waste under the Tea (Waste) Control Order, 1959.

The directive also mandates:

  1. Imported teas meant for export must be shipped out within six months of import.
  2. Export of imported tea must achieve 50% value addition, calculated on FOB and CIF pricing.
  3. Clear labelling of blends containing imported tea on final packaging and all export documentation, including phytosanitary and origin certificates.

The directive applies to all licensees under the Tea (Distribution & Export) Control Order, 2005, and signals a significant tightening of oversight amid ongoing debates over rising tea imports and concerns about re-export practices.

By reintroducing systematic lab testing, the Tea Board aims to restore confidence in quality control mechanisms and safeguard the integrity of Indian-origin tea in domestic and international markets.