Lok Sabha Question No. 3934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Import and Export of Tea
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3934 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026

## IMPORT AND EXPORT OF TEA

3934.  SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the total quantity of tea imported vis a vis the quantity re-exported during last three years, year-wise;
- (b) the  reasons  due  to  which  out  of  34  parameters  set  by  FSSAI  for  tea, reportedly only 4 parameters are being checked before allowing the tea into India; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to check the menace of duplicate/fake Darjeeling tea or Himalayan Long Leaf tea which is adversely affecting the domestic Darjeeling Tea Industry?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a): The total quantity of tea imported and exported out of India during the last three years is attached as annexure-I.

(b) & (c): Samples of imported tea are analyzed to verify  with standards set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) . For the purpose of testing, FSSAI has notified National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited Laboratories across the country. In this regard, there are 252 food testing laboratories for analysis of food samples and 24  Referral Food Laboratories, for the analysis  of    the  samples  and  the  samples  are  tested  at  FSSAI  notified  food  testing laboratories for all quality and safety parameters applicable for the respective product. The imported consignments of tea are cleared subject to NOC provided by FSSAI.

Tea Board has also taken several measures in respect of teas imported into the country which include as below:

- A  Notification  dated  11.11.2021  was  issued  with  a  directive  stating  that imported tea  must not be blended with GI teas, and if blending is done, the end product must not be claimed as GI tea.
- Directives were issued to packers, requiring them to clearly indicate on the packaging  that the blended tea contains imported ingredients.
- Importers and exporters have been directed to mandatorily obtain clearance certificates from the Board's Tea Council portal before importing or exporting tea, and the origin of the tea must be clearly mentioned on the tea packages.
- The importers should notify, to the Board, the place of storage of the imported teas within 24 hours of import. The importers shall ensure that origin of the imported teas is mentioned in all sale invoices.
- Process  of  conducting  joint  training  sessions  among  between  Tea  Board, Customs  and  FSSAI  were  initiated  to  strengthen  food  import  clearance procedures.

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## ANNEXURE-I

## Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3934 for answer on 17.03.2026

| Period             |   *Import Qty (M.Kgs) |   **Export Qty (M.Kgs) |
|--------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|
| 2022-23            |                 29.99 |                 241.15 |
| 2023-24            |                 25.21 |                 260.64 |
| 2024-25            |                 50.14 |                 262.41 |
| 2025-26 (Apr- Jan) |                 33.55 |                 245.76 |

*Data on Import includes re-import                                                               Source: DGCIS

**Data on Export includes re-export