How to Import Indian Tea to Iran — Black Tea, CTC and Green Tea Guide

Indian tea — Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, CTC and green tea — is consumed across Iran, both for everyday drinking and as a premium beverage. Importing Indian tea requires attention to grade, leaf style, packaging and certification. This guide walks Iranian buyers through every step.

Why buy Indian tea

• India is one of the world's largest tea producers.
• Assam CTC is the workhorse for everyday tea — strong, dark liquor.
• Darjeeling is a premium product with a globally recognised GI.
• Nilgiri teas are bright, fragrant and well-suited to blends.
• Indian Tea Board-registered exporters meet global documentation standards.

Common challenges for Iranian importers

• Difficulty distinguishing between grades (BOP, BOPSM, BP, PD, Dust).
• Receiving stale or moisture-damaged tea.
• Missing or outdated COA.
• Poor packaging leading to aroma loss.
• Supplier not registered with the Tea Board.
• No PSI — quality disputes on arrival.

How Blueroute Exim solves this

• We source only from Tea Board-registered exporters.
• We coordinate samples for buyer approval.
• We run PSI and lab testing (moisture, caffeine, particle size, tannin).
• We prepare complete documents (invoice, packing list, BL, COO, COA, phytosanitary, health certificate).
• We ship from Mundra, Nhava Sheva or Cochin to Bandar Abbas.

Indian tea varieties and styles

### Assam CTC - Strong, dark liquor; ideal for everyday tea. - Grades: BP, BOPSM, BOP, OF, PD, RD, Dust. - Popular in Iran for chai and everyday consumption.

### Assam Orthodox - Whole-leaf, malty flavour; premium positioning. - Grades: GBOP, TGBOP, BOP1, BPS. - Suitable for premium retail and gifting.

### Nilgiri Orthodox - Bright, fragrant, slightly fruity. - Grades: BOP, FBOP, GBOP, PEKOE. - Well-suited for blends and iced tea.

### Darjeeling - Premium aroma, light liquor. - First Flush (spring), Second Flush (summer), Autumn Flush. - GI-protected; only Darjeeling district teas can be sold as "Darjeeling".

### Green Tea - Unfermented; light, vegetal flavour. - Indian green teas from Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri.

Typical specifications

• Moisture: max 3–4% (black tea).
• Caffeine: 2–4% (varies by grade).
• Particle size: per grade spec.
• Fibre content: as per grade.
• Tannin: 8–12% (varies).
• Shelf life: 24–36 months (black tea); 18–24 months (green tea).

Packaging options

• Multi-wall kraft paper sacks with inner polyliner (25kg, 50kg) — bulk.
• Foil pouches (100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg) — retail.
• Tin caddies (100g, 250g, 500g) — premium retail.
• Wooden tea chests (10–25kg) — traditional premium.
• Private-label packaging with buyer artwork (subject to MOQ).

MOQ and container loading

• MOQ for bulk: 500–1,000 kg per grade.
• MOQ for private label: 1,000 kg per SKU.
• One 20ft FCL carries approximately 8–10 MT of tea (bulk packs).

Step-by-step import process

1. 1**Send your enquiry** with grade, leaf style, packaging, target quantity, target port (Bandar Abbas).
2. 2**Receive a Proforma Invoice** with HS code (0902), country of origin, total value, payment terms.
3. 3**Approve the PI** and arrange payment.
4. 4**Sample approval** (if first order).
5. 5**Production** at the Tea Board-registered exporter.
6. 6**Pre-shipment inspection** and lab testing.
7. 7**Stuffing and shipping** from Mundra, Nhava Sheva or Cochin.
8. 8**Documents delivered** — bank-to-bank or courier.
9. 9**Clearance at Bandar Abbas**.

Required documents

• Commercial invoice (HS code 0902, country of origin).
• Packing list.
• Bill of Lading.
• Certificate of Origin (Tea Board / FIEO).
• Certificate of Analysis (moisture, caffeine, particle size, tannin).
• Phytosanitary certificate.
• Health certificate.
• Tea Board registration copy (of the exporter).
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate (if requested).
• Insurance certificate (under CIF).

Payment — bank compliant only

• Advance TT.
• 50% advance + 50% before BL release.
• LC at sight.
• Rupee payment through permitted Iranian bank accounts.

No crypto. No hawala.

Quality assurance

• Tea Board-registered exporters only.
• Sample approval before bulk production.
• Independent PSI on every shipment.
• Lab testing at NABL-accredited labs.
• Stuffing photographs and seal numbers shared.

Why choose Blueroute Exim

• Single-point India-side partner for tea sourcing.
• Tea Board-registered exporter network.
• Independent PSI and lab testing on every shipment.
• Iran-ready Proforma Invoice for LC opening.
• Bank-compliant payment only.
• Based in Surat, Gujarat — close to Mundra and Nhava Sheva.
• Business hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM IST.
• Contact: +91 93132 01754, info@bluerouteexim.in.

Key Takeaways

• Assam CTC is the workhorse for everyday tea.
• Buy from Tea Board-registered exporters only.
• Insist on COA, phytosanitary and health certificate.
• Run PSI before shipment — non-negotiable.
• Bank-compliant payment (TT, LC, rupee) is the only safe route.

If you want to import Indian tea to Iran, contact Blueroute Exim at info@bluerouteexim.in or +91 93132 01754.