The Tea Board of India, established in 1953 under the Tea Act, operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is responsible for promoting and regulating the tea industry in India. The Board’s main functions include:
1. Promotion and Marketing: Conducts campaigns and participates in trade fairs to boost the global presence of Indian tea.
2. Research and Development: Funds research on tea cultivation and processing to improve yield and quality.
3. Regulation and Quality Control: Ensures compliance with quality standards and issues export licenses.
4. Support to Growers and Producers: Provides financial assistance and welfare schemes to tea workers and small growers.
5. Sustainability Initiatives: Promotes sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation.
6. Data Collection: Collects and publishes data on tea production, consumption, and prices to aid stakeholders.
The Tea Board Registration License, often referred to as the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), is a certification issued by the Tea Board of India. This license is mandatory for entities involved in the export of tea, including bulk tea, packet tea, tea bags, and instant tea. The RCMC certifies that the holder is registered with the Tea Board and is eligible to avail of various benefits under the Export-Import Policy of the Government of India.
Purpose and Importance of the Tea Board Registration License
1. Legal Requirement: It is a mandatory legal requirement for exporters of tea products to be registered with the Tea Board to conduct export activities.
2. Export Promotion: The RCMC helps in promoting Indian tea in international markets by enabling exporters to participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and other promotional activities organized by the Tea Board.
3. Access to Benefits: Holders of the RCMC can avail of import/export entitlements and duty drawback benefits under the Export-Import Policy.
4. Quality Assurance: Registration ensures that exporters adhere to the quality standards set by the Tea Board, which helps maintain the reputation of Indian tea globally.
It is issued by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) after verifying the exporter’s credentials, and is valid for five years. To obtain an RCMC, the exporter must submit a Tea Board export license application to FIEO along with a few required documents.
Tea Board registration involves obtaining a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the Tea Board of India, which authorizes entities to operate within the tea industry, including growing, manufacturing, brokering, buying, exporting, and auction organizing.
The following entities need to register:
• Tea growers
• Tea manufacturers
• Tea brokers
• Tea buyers
• Tea exporters
• Auction organizers
Application forms can be obtained from the Tea Board of India’s official website or from regional Tea Board offices.
Commonly required documents include:
• Identity proof (Aadhar card, PAN card, passport)
• Address proof (utility bills, lease/rent agreement)
• Business registration certificates (GST registration, company incorporation certificate)
• Proof of ownership or lease of tea garden or factory (for growers and manufacturers)
• Bank account details
• Importer Exporter Code (IEC) for exporters
The validity of the RCMC typically ranges from 1 to 5 years, depending on the type of registration and specific regulations of the Tea Board.