India sets new rules for tea imports

INDIA has introduced new import laws aimed at regulating the entry of Nepal tea.

The cheaper Nepal tea is eroding sales of premium Darjeeling tea in the domestic market, according to the Economic Times.

The new rules require all importers bringing in tea for distribution in India to provide information regarding place of storage. This has to be submitted to the nearest Tea Board office within 24 hours of entry of the consignment.

In addition, the importer must specify the origin and contents of the imported teas at each stage of distribution.

According to a senior official of the Tea Board, which framed the rules, the new import rules apply to all countries. They were just made more stringent to thwart the huge inflow of Nepal tea that is being sold as Darjeeling tea.

Indian traders have been importing teas from Indonesia and Vietnam, not for domestic consumption but for re-export, the official said. This is not the case with the cheaper Nepal tea.