Tea Board Registration
The Tea Board of India, established in 1954 under the Tea Act of 1953, serves as the governing body overseeing the tea industry in India. It regulates tea cultivation and enforces quality standards on producers, processors, and exporters of tea. To operate legally, businesses must obtain the applicable licence and registration such as export and distributor licence, manufacturing unit, buyers and flavour registration etc.
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Tea Board Registration
India is the second largest producer of tea globally. It produces a wide range of tea such as Black, Herbal, Green, Nilgiri, Assam, etc. In terms of value, India's' total tea exports stood at a whopping USD 687.9 million, for the year 2021 and in terms of volume, it stood at 201 million kg. Therefore considering the ever-increasing global demand, exporting is an excellent opportunity for exporters as well as tea procedures of India and for this exact purpose, the Tea Board of India was set up in 1954, through the Tea Act of 1953.
What is Tea Board of India?
What is Tea Board of India?
It is a governing body which regulates the tea business in India. It encourages tea cultivation, enforces quality standards, and supports tea producers, processors, exporters, etc. Registration with the board is referred to as “Tea Board registration” which ensures legal compliance, advances high standards of quality, and supports the tea business in India.
Types of Licenses granted by the Tea Board
The following licences are issuance by the Board:
1. Export License : As per the Tea (Distribution & Export) Control Order, 1957, all the companies exporting tea from India need to obtain a valid export license. It is valid for a period of three years only thereafter the applicant needs to renew it. Application for an export license can be submitted by filing form A along with the prescribed fees. Moreover, a Permanent export licence can also be granted, if the the applicant fulfils the eligibility criteria of exporting, a minimum of 100,000 Kg of Tea for 3 years continuously.
Documents required for export licence:
- Form along with the applicable licence fee
- Copy of Importer and Exporter Code
- Declaration in Letter Head stating that Directors or Partners are not associated with any other company suspended by the Tea Board
- Letter of Authorisation by the Company
- Applicant’s contact details
- Residential address proof
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
2. Distributor Licence : A Distributor License is required by a business which is engaged in the business of distribution of tea and tea products. Application for distributor’s licence can be submitted either to the Head Office or Zonal office in Form - A along with the prescribed fees. If the application is found to be complete in all aspects, the licence shall be issued within two working days. In case of an incomplete application, it may be rejected. The licence once granted is valid for a lifetime.
Documents required for Distributor’s License:
- Application along with the seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other authorised personnel
- Import and Export Code
- Details regarding the Name, Residential Address, Contact Information and E-mail of all the Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other authorised personnel attested on the company letterhead along with the company address proof.
- Written declaration by the applicant that there is no association of the applicant with any other Tea Based Company who have previously had their license revoked, suspended or cancelled.
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
3. Tea Waste License : The Tea Waste License is issued to prevent the misuse of tea waste and ensure that they are disposed of properly. The tea waste sometimes also contains useful residues which instant tea manufacturers use. The applicant is required to submit the application along with the prescribed fees. The licence is valid until 31st December of each year and can be renewed.
Documents required for Tea Waste License:
- Application along with the date and seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other authorised personnel
- Copy of warehouse license
- Copy of the registration certificate of the manufacturing plant
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
4. License for Tea Auction : No person is allowed to conduct an auction without getting registered with the Board. Only brokers who have a valid license issued by the committee can auction. An application needs to be submitted to the concerned authority through Form - G. The validity of the Broker License is 31st December of each year and can renewed.
Documents required for License for Tea Auction:
- Application along with signature, date and seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other Authorised Personnel
- Copy of the Certification of Incorporation along with the MoA and AoA
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
5. Warehouse License : All the companies engaged in the business of exporting tea, need to obtain a warehouse licence. The applicant needs to submit an application in Form - A along with the prescribed fees. The validity of the license is of three years, and upon renewal of the license, the validity is for one year from the date of issuance.
Documents required for Warehouse Licence:
- Application along with the date and seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other Authorised Personnel
- Copy of the Proprietorship with notary attested with stamp paper of minimum INR 100, with the inclusion of the Name and Residential Details, if any or
- Registered lease deed or rent receipt
- Ownership details of the warehouse
- Map of warehouse
- Trade License
- Contact Details of Company’s Partner/Directors/Representatives
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
Types of Registration granted by the Tea Board
The following licences are issuance by the Board:
1. Registration of Manufacturing Unit : In 2003, an order was issued by the Tea Board notified under The Tea Marketing Control Order that no manufacturer shall carry out the business of Tea Manufacturing without getting registered with the Board. The validity of the Registration of the Manufacturing Unit is for a lifetime. Moreover, before the construction of the unit, NOC for the construction is required.
Documents required for Registration of Manufacturing Unit:
- An Expression of Intent also known as an EoL, needs to be submitted to the Chairman of the Tea Board in the specified format attested with the Name and Signature of the Applicant.
- Submission of Form – A along with the details of the list of pieces of machinery being installed in the factory with the date of information in the specific format.
- A non-judicial declaration stamp paper that specifies the Tea being manufactured is in accordance with the Rules set by FSSAI
- A Copy of the Central Excise Registration Certificate
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
2. Registration as a Buyer : A person needs to be registered with the Board to purchase tea in bulk, either from auctions or directly from tea estates. The applicant needs to submit an application in Form - C. The validity of the Buyer Registration is for a lifetime.
Documents required for Registration as a Buyer:
- Application duly filled including the date and seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other Authorised Personnel
- A Copy of VAT and CST
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
3. Flavour Registration : To manufacture and sell tea with infused flavours, a person needs to register with the Tea Board. The tea packaging must contain a label that specifies the flavour and the percentage by which it is infused. The applicant needed to submit the required form according to the notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The validity of the Flavour Registration is of a lifetime.
Documents required for Flavour Registration:
- Application duly filled including the date and seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other Authorised Personnel
- Certification from the FSSAI along with the test report
- Declaration by the Applicant that has been affirmed by the Executive Magistrate that enlists the flavours to contain all-natural flavours and natural flavouring substances that are safe for human consumption
- Any other document, if demanded by the Board
Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)
If a person wants to export tea in bulk or packets or bags or instant tea etc. They are required to register with the Tea Board and obtain a RCMC. To obtain RCMC the Applicant needs to apply in form 19-A and form 19-B. Once granted it is valid until the validity of the manufacturer's export licence and can be further renewed.
1. Application along with the date and seal of the appropriate Proprietor or Partner or Director or any other Authorised Personnel
2. Copy of the Import Export Code
3. A Copy of the Export License
4. Declaration on the letterhead of the company stating that there is no default in filing of export returns
5. Any other document, if demanded by the Board
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Cancellation Of Licenses or Registrations
The Licenses and Registrations will be revoked if there has been deliberate misrepresentation of facts, and the licensee has violated any of the provisions of the Tea Act, 1953. If the licensee has failed to follow the directions issued by the authority, or if the Authority has found about any unfair trade practice the licensee is dealing in the appropriate license is to be cancelled immediately.
Pricing for Licences and Registrations
The pricing for different licences and registrations being granted by the Board are as follows:
| Types | Fees | Validity | Renewal Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuance of Registration Certificate for Manufacturing unit | 1,20,000 | Lifetime | N/A |
| Tea Waste | 3300 | Upto 31st Dec of the First Year (New Application) Upto 31st Dec of the Third Year (Renewal Application) | 3300 |
| Flavour Registration | For Non-MSME: 6000 (for 3 flavours & 6000 for each additional flavour) For MSME: 4000 (for 3 flavours & 4000 for each additional flavour) | Lifetime | N/A |
| Buyer Registration | 1,20,000 | Lifetime | N/A |
| Distributor Registration | 50500 | Lifetime | N/A |
| Tea Auction Organisers | 200000 | 31st Dec of each year | 125000 |
| Tea Auction Broker | 90000 | 31st Dec of each year | 56000 |
| Exporter Licence | 2800 | % years | 2800 |
| Permanent Exporter | 2800 | Lifetime | N/A |
| Warehouse License | 14,000 | 3 years | 14000 |
Besides these fees which need to be paid to the government, applicants also need to pay professional fees which range from Rs. 15000 to 25000. At RegisterKaro, we understand the importance of Tea Board registration and the significant impact it can have on businesses in India. Complying with legal requirements and regulations is crucial for ensuring smooth operations and long-term success for any business. Our expert team consisting of experienced CA, CS and Lawyers can fully comprehend the complexities and challenges entrepreneurs face while navigating through complex legal frameworks. We have extensive knowledge and expertise in obtaining Tea Board Licences and Registrations, allowing us to provide comprehensive guidance and dedicated support to our clients.
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