Tea Exporter Licence in Mumbai
Get your Tea Board exporter’s business licence — or convert it into a Permanent Tea Exporter Licence — handled end to end. We check your eligibility, prepare the application on the Tea Board’s online system, answer the Board’s queries and set up your monthly export-return routine.
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Tea Exporter Licence in Mumbai
RoC Mumbai — 100, Everest Building, Marine Lines, Mumbai – 400002 · roc.mumbai@mca.gov.in
Bombay High Court
27 (Maharashtra) · state tax portal
Maharashtra levies Professional Tax (max ₹2,500/year). Mandatory for companies with employees.
Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017
Applicable — contributed twice a year, in June and December.
BKC, Andheri, Nariman Point, Lower Parel, Powai
Mumbai is India's financial capital — home to BSE, NSE, RBI, and thousands of corporates. A Mumbai-registered company carries significant credibility with investors and clients.
Tea Exporter Licence in brief
Who it applies to, what it costs, how long it takes and which law governs it — before the details.
A Tea Exporter Licence is the business licence the Tea Board of India grants under the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005, made under section 30 of the Tea Act, 1953. Paragraph 3 of the Order says no exporter shall export tea — including imported tea — except under a business licence. A fresh exporter licence is valid for 3 years and can be renewed for further 3-year periods. An established exporter who meets the Order’s conditions can convert it into a Permanent Exporter Licence, which stays valid unless cancelled or suspended. Licence holders must file monthly export returns with the Tea Board.
- Professional Fee
- Custom quote
- Governing Law
- Tea Act 1953 · TDECO 2005
- Validity
- 3 years (permanent on conversion)
- Mode
- Online (Tea Board portal)
- Authority
- Tea Board of India
- Govt Fee
- As per Tea Board schedule
- Returns
- Monthly export return
- Prerequisite
- Valid IEC
- Act
- Tea Act, 1953 (section 30)
- Order
- Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005
- Forms
- Form A (fresh) · Form J (renewal) · Form B (permanent)
- Authority
- Tea Board of India
- Filing
- Tea Board online portal
- Last Reviewed
- 23 Sep 2026
What Is Tea Exporter Licence?
A quick, plain-language explanation before the details.
It is the Tea Board’s permission to run a tea-export business. Without it, commercial tea shipments cannot legally leave India.
Paragraph 3 of the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005 (S.O. 486(E), issued under section 30 of the Tea Act, 1953) prohibits any exporter from exporting tea or imported tea except under a business licence. Applications are made in Form A; renewals in Form J; conversion into a permanent business licence in Form B.
The Licensing Authority under the Order is the Chairman of the Tea Board of India (Ministry of Commerce & Industry). Applications are now filed online through the Tea Board’s e-governance portal, and the service is also listed on the National Single Window System.
A business licence for an exporter is valid for 3 years from issue and 3 years from each renewal. A permanent business licence remains valid unless cancelled or suspended. The Tea Board’s portal notes that a licence that has already expired cannot be renewed — a fresh licence must be taken.
Is This Service Right for You?
Ideal for
- Tea estates and bought-leaf factories shipping tea overseas themselves
- Tea blenders and packers exporting packet tea, tea bags and flavoured tea
- Merchant exporters and trading houses buying at auction for export
- Exporters of instant tea, green tea and specialty or GI teas
- Businesses importing tea for blending and re-export
- Established exporters ready to move to a Permanent Exporter Licence
You may need this if
- You want to export tea in any form on a commercial basis
- You import tea with the intention of re-exporting it after blending or packing
- Your current 3-year exporter licence is close to expiry
- You have a steady export record and want a licence that does not need renewal
- Your buyer or bank asks for proof of your Tea Board exporter licence
- You need a Tea Board Certificate of Origin for GI or non-preferential shipments
Not sure if you need this?
Talk to an Expert →Why Do Tea Exporters Need a Tea Board Licence?
Tea is one of the few commodities where the commodity board itself licenses every commercial exporter. Here is why the licence matters.
Talk to a Tea Licensing Expert →Legal Requirement to Export
The Control Order bars commercial tea exports — including exports of imported tea — without a Tea Board business licence.
Avoid Stoppage of Shipments
The Board can direct Customs or port authorities not to allow a consignment where the Order is violated. A valid licence keeps shipments moving.
Certificates of Origin
Licensed exporters can apply to the Tea Board for Certificates of Origin, including for GI teas such as Darjeeling, and for non-preferential origin.
Path to a Permanent Licence
A clean compliance record and export track record let you convert to a permanent licence that no longer needs renewal.
Buyer & Bank Confidence
Overseas buyers, banks and inspection agencies routinely ask for the Tea Board licence before contracting or financing tea shipments.
Foundation for RCMC & Schemes
The exporter licence sits alongside your Tea Board RCMC, which is needed for Foreign Trade Policy benefits and Tea Board export-promotion schemes.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Custom quote for your case
Fees depend on your business type and scope. Get a clear, itemised quote upfront — no hidden professional charges, government fee billed at actuals.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility checklist
- A valid Import Export Code (IEC) whose address matches the application
- Identity and address proof of the proprietor, every partner or every director
- A declaration that no promoter is linked to a tea company whose licence was cancelled or suspended
- An authorisation letter for the person signing on the entity’s behalf
- Details of premises where tea will be blended or packed, and any proprietary marks
- For renewal or permanent licence: a clean record of monthly export returns
Everything You Need. One Professional Team.
Consultation
Understand your tea products, sourcing and markets, and confirm whether you need a fresh, renewal or permanent licence.
IEC & Entity Check
Confirm your IEC is active and that names and addresses match across IEC, PAN, GST and constitution documents.
Portal Registration
Set up your login on the Tea Board’s online licensing system and map the correct licence category.
Document Preparation
Prepare the declarations, authorisation letter and supporting papers in the sequence the Board asks for.
Application Filing
File the application online and pay the Board’s fee through the portal’s payment gateway.
Query Handling
Track the file and answer Tea Board queries or clarification requests on your behalf.
Permanent Licence Conversion
Check eligibility and file the conversion request in good time before your 3-year licence expires.
Return Set-Up
Build a simple monthly export-return routine so the licence is never put at risk.
What You’ll Receive
What Documents Are Required for a Tea Exporter Licence?
The Tea Board’s guidelines ask for self-attested documents with the entity’s seal. Keep clear scans (PDF/JPG) ready — everything is collected securely over WhatsApp or email.
Business & Exporter
Identity & registration proof- Import Export Code (IEC) issued by DGFT, with matching address
- PAN of the business
- Constitution proof — partnership deed, LLP agreement or Certificate of Incorporation
- GST registration certificate (where applicable)
Promoters & Signatory
People behind the licence- Name, residential address and contact numbers of each proprietor / partner / director
- Address proof of each — voter ID, driving licence or passport
- Authorisation letter for the signatory, with the entity’s seal
- Declaration that promoters are not associated with any tea company whose licence was cancelled or suspended
Tea Business Details
Operations & track record- Address of premises where blending and / or packing will be done
- Proprietary marks or brand names used on tea
- For renewal / permanent licence: copy of the existing licence
- For renewal / permanent licence: declaration on export-return filing for the last 3 years
IEC address must match
The Tea Board checks that the address on your IEC matches the address in the application. Update the IEC first if your business has moved.
Incomplete files are rejected
The Board’s guidelines state that incomplete applications are rejected and must be filed afresh. We review every document before submission.
Apply for permanent licence early
The Order requires the conversion request to be made three months before your current licence expires. Missing the window means renewing instead.
Government fee
The Tea Board’s published guidelines list ₹1,000 for a fresh 3-year exporter licence or renewal and ₹2,500 for a permanent exporter licence. We confirm the current fee on the portal at filing.
Don’t have all the documents?
We’ll identify what your case needs →How to Get a Tea Exporter Licence (Step by Step)
Applications are filed online on the Tea Board’s licensing portal.
Scope & eligibility check
We confirm the licence you need — fresh, renewal or permanent — and check that your IEC and entity documents line up.
Portal sign-up
Create your user account on the Tea Board’s online licensing system with OTP verification.
Document collection
Collect IEC, constitution, promoter and premises details plus the required declarations over WhatsApp or email.
Online application & fee
Select the exporter licence category, fill the form, upload documents and pay the Board’s fee online.
Tea Board scrutiny & queries
We track the application and respond to any Tea Board queries or requests for further documents.
Licence issued
On approval the Tea Board issues the business licence. We hand it over and set up your monthly return calendar.
How Long Does a Tea Exporter Licence Take?
| Stage | Expected Time |
|---|---|
| Eligibility check, portal sign-up & document collection | Depends on document readiness |
| Online application & fee payment | Filed once documents are complete |
| Tea Board scrutiny, queries & licence issue | Subject to Tea Board processing |
The timeline depends on how quickly documents are provided, whether your IEC details already match, and on Tea Board processing. For a permanent licence, the conversion request must be filed at least three months before the current licence expires. Queries pause the clock until they are answered.
Key Dates — At a Glance
| Frequency | What Is Due |
|---|---|
| Monthly | File the category-wise export return with the Tea Board by the 15th of the following month · File a nil return in months with no exports · Keep shipping bills and FOB values ready for the return |
| Every 3 Years | Renew the business licence before it expires · Or apply for a permanent licence three months before expiry · Refresh promoter and address documents at renewal |
| Event-Based | Intimate changes in business particulars in advance and get the licence amended · Report a new partnership or a dissolution to the Board · Take a fresh licence if the business is sold or transferred |
| Per Shipment | Pack and mark tea as the Order and the Board require · Apply for a Certificate of Origin where the buyer needs one · Re-export imported tea within six months with the required value addition |
Dates are indicative and may change with government notifications. Our team tracks every deadline so you never miss a filing.
Doing It Yourself vs TaxClue
Doing It Yourself
- Work out which licence category and form applies
- Match addresses across IEC, GST and constitution papers
- Draft promoter and association declarations yourself
- Navigate the Tea Board portal and payment gateway
- Track the three-month window for permanent conversion
- File monthly export returns without a system
- Risk rejection of an incomplete application
With TaxClue
- Expert confirms fresh, renewal or permanent route
- Name and address mismatches fixed before filing
- Declarations drafted in the Board’s format
- Application filed and fee paid online for you
- Conversion window tracked well ahead of expiry
- Monthly return routine set up from day one
- Tea Board queries answered by our team
Skip the guesswork.
Let an expert handle it →What happens next
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
TaxClue reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable errors.
What Compliance Applies After a Tea Exporter Licence?
Monthly
- File the category-wise export return with the Tea Board by the 15th of the following month
- File a nil return in months with no exports
- Keep shipping bills and FOB values ready for the return
Every 3 Years
- Renew the business licence before it expires
- Or apply for a permanent licence three months before expiry
- Refresh promoter and address documents at renewal
Event-Based
- Intimate changes in business particulars in advance and get the licence amended
- Report a new partnership or a dissolution to the Board
- Take a fresh licence if the business is sold or transferred
Per Shipment
- Pack and mark tea as the Order and the Board require
- Apply for a Certificate of Origin where the buyer needs one
- Re-export imported tea within six months with the required value addition
Penalties & Consequences
What is at stake if you do not comply
- Shipments can be held or recalled by the Board for violating the Order
- An expired licence cannot be renewed — a fresh application is needed
- Missed monthly returns can lead to suspension or cancellation
- A permanent licence can be cancelled if no tea is exported for three consecutive years
Regulatory Updates 2025–26
- 2026: Tea Board exporter licences — fresh, renewal and permanent — are applied for online through the Tea Board’s licensing portal and are listed on the National Single Window System.
- 2026: The Tea Act, 1953 and the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005 continue to govern tea-export licensing; the proposed Tea (Promotion and Development) Bill has not replaced them as of our last review.
Why Businesses Choose TaxClue
CA / CS Team
Qualified professionals with hands-on commodity-board and export-compliance experience.
Control-Order Know-How
We work from the text of the Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, not guesswork.
Always Updated
We follow Tea Board circulars, portal changes and Foreign Trade Policy notifications.
Fully Online
Everything over WhatsApp / email — no visits to Tea Board offices needed.
Transparent Fees
A clear quote upfront — government fees at actuals, no hidden charges.
Post-Licence Support
Monthly returns, renewals, amendments and permanent-licence conversion handled together.
Your Documents Deserve Professional Care
- Documents handled by professionals under confidentiality
- Access limited to the team working on your file
- Communication over secure digital channels
- Documents retained only as long as needed for compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tea Exporter Licence?
Who needs a Tea Board exporter licence?
Are any tea exports exempt from the licence?
What is the validity of a Tea Exporter Licence?
What is a Permanent Tea Exporter Licence?
Who can get a Permanent Tea Exporter Licence?
When should I apply for the permanent licence?
Can a permanent licence be cancelled?
Can I renew an expired Tea Board licence?
What returns does a tea exporter licensee file?
What is the government fee for a Tea Exporter Licence?
Is IEC required for a Tea Exporter Licence?
Is the exporter licence the same as the Tea Board RCMC?
Can I export imported tea under this licence?
Can I transfer my tea exporter licence to a buyer of my business?
Official Sources & Legal References
Every regulatory detail on this page is drawn from primary law and official government sources. Verify them directly:
- Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order, 2005 — Gazette textLicensing requirement, forms, validity, permanent licence, returns and restrictions
- Tea Board — Guidelines for Exporter’s Licence, Renewal & Permanent LicenceApplication forms, fee table, document annexure and monthly export return format
- Tea Board of India — Official PortalTea Board notifications, schemes and licensing information
- Tea Board online licensing system — FAQOnline sign-up, application, payment and renewal rules
- National Single Window System (NSWS)Central single window listing Tea Board exporter and permanent exporter licences
Related Guides
Tea Exporter Licence Resources — All Free
Get Your Tea Exporter Licence — Fully Managed
Expert-managed Tea Board exporter licensing — fresh licence, renewal, permanent-licence conversion, online filing, query handling and monthly return set-up, end to end. Transparent fees, no hidden charges.
Talk to a Tea Licensing Expert →