Tea Board of India: Roles, Licenses & Benefits

The Tea Board of India is a statutory body of the Government of India that promotes the production, processing, and trading of tea in India, and its exports from the country. It was founded in 1903 after the Indian Tea Cess Bill was passed. This bill introduced a tax on tea exports, and the funds collected would be used for the promotion of Indian tea both in the domestic and international markets. The Tea Board of India was constituted on April 1, 1954, under Section 4 of the Tea Act 1953.

This blog will give more information on the Tea Board of India, including its key functions, steps for registration, and how its membership benefits exporters. 

What Does the Tea Board of India Do?

The Tea Board, which the Government of India appoints, has 31 members, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, who represent different sections of the tea industry. Its head office is in Kolkata, and it has two zonal offices, one each in the northeastern and southern regions of the country. There are also regional offices in four metro cities and all major tea-growing states. Since the Board’s main function is to promote tea, it has three overseas offices in Dubai, London, and Moscow. 

The Tea Board of India promotes the tea industry by performing the following functions:

• It’s a regulatory body that oversees the overall development of the tea industry, primarily promoting the export of tea from India. 
• It provides technical and financial assistance for cultivating, manufacturing, and marketing tea. It also helps with research and development to improve the quality and increase its production.
• It also assists the unorganised small tea-growing sector by offering financial and technical assistance. 
• It collects and maintains statistical data and publishes it.
• The Tea Board offers limited financial assistance to plantation workers and their families through labour welfare schemes. 
• It provides information about tea policies, business schemes, research, legislation, and prices.

Tea Varieties Under the Tea Board of India’s Preview

The tea varieties that fall under the Tea Board of India include:

• Darjeeling tea
• Assam tea
• Nilgiri tea
• Kangra tea 
• Dooars-Terai tea 
• Masala tea
• Sikkim tea
• Tripura tea

Key Licenses Issued by the Tea Board

Here are the key licenses the Tea Board of India issues:

• Tea Board Export License: You must obtain this license if you want to export tea to foreign markets.
• Tea Board Distributors License: You’ll need this license to sell tea in the Indian market.
• Tea Board Permanent Export License: It ensures that tea produced in India complies with regulatory standards.
• Tea Board Warehouse License: You’ll need this license to store tea before exporting.
• Tea Board Broker License: You can participate in tea auctions with this license.
• Tea Board Buyer Registration License: It ensures that only authorised buyers can participate in tea auctions.
• Tea Waste License: This license ensures that tea waste is disposed of in a sustainable manner. 
• Planting Permit from Tea Board: You’ll need this license to plant or replant tea.
• Tea Board Flavour Registration: This license ensures that flavours used in tea meet quality and safety standards. 

In addition to the ones above, the Tea Board also issues some other licenses. They are:

• Mini Tea Factory License
• NOC for Construction of Manufacturing Tea Unit
• RCMC from the Tea Board 

The Advantages of Tea Board Membership

There are many benefits to becoming a member of the Tea Board of India, including the following:

• Under the Tea Board’s export promotion scheme, you can receive incentives for exporting tea to high-value destinations and value-added teas in retail packs. These incentives can help you expand into new markets and strengthen the presence of Indian tea in existing ones.
• You’ll also receive assistance and guidance on choosing high-quality teas for export.
• You can participate in major tea exhibitions and trade shows in countries with a high tea consumption rate. It helps promote the quality of Indian tea to traders and consumers alike. 
• You can compete in the export market with support to offset transportation costs.

Essential Documents for Tea Board RCMC

If you’re a registered exporter of bulk tea, instant tea, packet tea, and tea bags, you must be registered with the Tea Board to obtain the registration cum membership certificate (RCMC) under the export-import policy of the Government of India. This is essential to claim import-export entitlement and duty drawback benefits. The Tea Board issues RCMC free of charge.

Here are the documents you’ll need to obtain RCMC from the Tea Board of India.

• Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
• Copy of exporter license from the Tea Board
• Duly filled and signed application form, along with the date and seal of the proprietor, partner, director, and authorised signatory.
• Proof of the paid application fees
• A declaration on your company’s letterhead that you regularly submit monthly export returns (including NIL returns) to the Tea Board

How to Register with the Tea Board of India?

Follow the steps below to register with the Tea Board of India:

• Step 1: Visit the eGICCS website and sign up. You can register on the portal by entering a username and password. You’ll also be required to enter your name and submit your company details and contact information.
• Step 2: Once you’ve signed up/logged in, click on the RCMC button to proceed. Select ‘Click to Apply’ and submit all the required details, including IEC, the line of business, and the description of the goods you’ll be exporting. Now, click on the ‘Save and Next’ button.
• Step 3: In the Appendix 19-A form that opens, enter all the relevant details, such as the name and address of your branch offices, SSI registration details, factories, and export license details. Once you have entered the required details, verify them to ensure they’re accurate, and then click on ‘Save and Next.’
• Step 4: Attach all the required documents and click ‘Save and Next’ again. Select the payment mode and complete the fee payment for the RCMC application. 
• Step 5: Now, download the form, sign it, and upload it. Once you have uploaded the completed form, you can submit your application to the Tea Board. Your RCMC application will be verified and the certificate will be issued generally within two working days of the receipt of the application.

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Conclusion

If you’re involved in the tea industry, it’s essential for you to understand the functions and benefits of the Tea Board of India, especially if you’re planning to export tea from the country. The Tea Board regulates tea production and promotion in foreign markets. Registering with the Tea Board gives you access to several advantages that can help you grow your tea business, ensure compliance with industry standards, and strengthen your market presence. Ultimately, the Tea Board plays an important role in driving innovation and growth, benefiting both individual businesses and the industry as a whole.