Tea Board Registration (Exporter & Buyer License / RCMC)
Mandatory exporter registration and RCMC for exporting orthodox, CTC, green, and specialty teas under the Tea Act, 1953.
Overview
The Tea Board of India is a statutory body established under the Tea Act, 1953, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to regulate the cultivation, processing, packaging, and export of Indian tea. Under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005 and the Foreign Trade Policy, no individual or commercial enterprise can engage in the export of tea (including black CTC, orthodox, green tea, Darjeeling GI tea, Assam orthodox, and flavoured specialty tea blends) without obtaining an official Tea Exporter License and a Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the Tea Board. The Tea Board regulates tea quality and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, heavy metals, and moisture content, issuing mandatory Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin and geographical indication (GI) protection for Darjeeling and Kangra teas. Member exporters gain access to financial subsidies for packaging development, international brand promotion, trade fair participation, and overseas warehousing support. JRC Legal manages complete Tea Board licensing and RCMC issuance on the unified DGFT portal.
Scope of Tea Board Registration Service
Detailed compliance and filing scope managed by JRC corporate experts.
Documents Required for Tea Board Registration
Upload digital files during onboarding. No physical submissions needed.
Export Entity Identification
- Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
- Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / Udyam MSME Registration Certificate
- PAN Card and Aadhaar Card of authorized director, partner, or proprietor
Banking & Quality Proofs
- Bank Certificate signed and sealed by bank manager confirming foreign currency account
- Valid FSSAI Central License covering tea processing, blending, packaging, or export categories
- Factory / Blending unit ownership deed or lease agreement with municipal trade license
Step-by-Step Tea Board Registration Procedure
Our step-by-step advisory workflow.
Step 1: Tea Categorization & Status Mapping
We map your export products to CTC, Orthodox, Green, or GI specialty teas and determine Merchant vs. Manufacturer status.
Step 2: Electronic Application Drafting on DGFT e-RCMC
We draft the application on the DGFT e-RCMC portal, attaching bank certificates, FSSAI licenses, and director KYC.
Step 3: Statutory Membership Fee Payment
We execute the official statutory government fee payment online based on your entity classification.
Step 4: Scrutiny & License / RCMC Allotment
Tea Board scrutiny officers in Kolkata review the dossier and issue the digital Exporter License and RCMC.
Strategic Benefits of Tea Board Registration
Export Indian tea legally, protect prestigious GI brand assets, and access international tea buyer networks.
Mandatory Legal Authorization to Export Tea
Mandatory statutory requirement to clear Indian port customs when shipping any variety of tea to global markets.
Darjeeling & Assam Geographical Indication (GI) Protection
Enables authorized use of prestigious GI logos, protecting your tea from international counterfeiting and commanding premium prices.
Subsidies for International Brand Promotion
Access Tea Board financial assistance for overseas brand marketing, consumer advertising, and specialty packaging development.
Participation in International Trade Delegations
Unlocks subsidized access to global food and beverage trade exhibitions, tea buyer-seller meets, and international tea conventions.
3-Year Multi-Year Exporter License Tenure
Granted with a 3-year renewable validity, ensuring uninterrupted foreign trade without recurring administrative hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers to common regulatory inquiries.
Is a separate license required in addition to RCMC for exporting tea?▼
Under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005, an applicant must obtain an "Exporter License" from the Tea Board, which simultaneously serves as the basis for granting the Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) on the DGFT portal.
What is the validity period of a Tea Board Exporter License / RCMC?▼
A Tea Board Exporter License and RCMC are granted for a period of 3 financial years, renewable upon submission of renewal applications, past export return filings, and payment of renewal fees.
What are the government fees for Tea Board Exporter License registration?▼
The official statutory application fee for a permanent Exporter License is ₹5,000 (plus 18% GST), in addition to annual RCMC membership subscription charges based on export turnover tiers.
Can I export organic tea under a Tea Board license?▼
Yes. To export organic tea, you must hold a valid Tea Board Exporter License / RCMC and an NPOP Organic Scope Certificate issued by an accredited organic certification body through TraceNet.
Are tea export consignments subject to mandatory quality testing?▼
Yes. Tea consignments must strictly comply with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, heavy metals, and moisture content established by the destination country (such as EU MRLs or US FDA regulations), verified through accredited laboratory test reports.
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