Guidelines for Inspection and Certification Standards for Tea Exports and Imports (Essential for Inspection, Factory Audit and Certification)

2026年4月29日

In the international trade of tea, both the exporting countries and the importing countries have established strict inspection standards. Domestic third-party inspection and certification institutions usually conduct inspections and tests based on the standards of major tea trading countries such as India, the former Soviet Union, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Mauritius. The following are the inspection and certification requirements for tea from some countries, for the reference of inspectors, purchasers, and factory inspectors.
I. Romanian Tea Standards
Romania's national standards related to tea include:
STAS 968216-1975 "Black Tea"
STAS 968217-1976 "Determination of Ash Content in Tea"
STAS 968214-1974 "Sampling of Tea from Large Containers"
STAS 968215-1974 "Sampling of Tea from Small Containers"
During the inspection process, samples should be taken and tested in accordance with the above standards. The inspection agency should verify whether the enterprise has the necessary sampling equipment and calibration records.
II. Pakistan Tea Standards (Export and Import Inspection)
The national standards for tea in Pakistan are as follows:
PS493-1965 "Tea Standards - A"
PS18-1958 "Tea Packaging Boxes and Plywood for Box Manufacturing"
PS784-1970 "Tea Standards - B"
Quality Requirements:
Black tea: It must undergo fermentation and drying. It should be of normal quality, free from non-tea impurities, tea dust or other contaminants. Tea stems are allowed, but unfermented tea stems are not permitted. The content of stems should not exceed 10%.
Green tea: It must be dried. It should be of normal quality and free from non-tea impurities, tea dust or other contaminants.
Physical and Chemical Indicators (Limit Standards):
Water extractable content ≥ 33%
Total ash content: 3% to 8%. Among them, the water-soluble ash content accounts for a proportion of ≥ 45% of the total ash content.
Water-soluble ash alkalinity (calculated as K₂O) 1.5% - 2%
Acid-insoluble ash content ≤ 0.8%
Crude fiber ≤ 15%
Caffeine content ≥ 2.5%
The content of tea polyphenols is ≥ 10%
The moisture content of black tea is ≤ 10%.
All the above indicators have corresponding testing methods, and they are the core basis for determining the grade of tea during the inspection process. The certification body should issue reports according to these methods.
III. Bulgarian Tea Standards
The Bulgarian national standards include:
B.A.C 9808-1972 "Black Tea"
B.A.C 2757-1977 "Appetizer Tea"
B.A.C 2758-1977 "Relaxing Tea"
B.A.C 2759-1977 "Diuretic Tea"
During the inspection process, it is necessary to pay attention to the specific requirements for different types of tea. The inspection team needs to confirm whether the corresponding classification standards are followed during the production process.
IV. French Tea Standards (Supporting ISO 3720)
France endorses the international standard ISO 3720 and attaches great importance to the identification of tea substitutes. Its national standards include 10 types:
NF V03-001-1972 "Tea Specifications"
NF V03-340-1972 "Tea Sampling"
NF V03-341-1966 "Preparation of Powdered Samples for Tea Testing"
NF V03-342-1966 "Determination of Moisture and Volatile Substances in Tea"
NF V03-343-1968 "Determination of Water Extractives from Tea"
NF V03-344-1968 "Determination of Total Ash Content in Tea"
NF V03-345-1968 "Determination of Water-Soluble and Water-Insoluble Ashes in Tea"
NF V03-346-1968 "Determination of Alkalinity of Water-Soluble Ash in Tea"
NF V03-347-1968 "Determination of Insoluble Ash from Tea"
NF V03-355-1972 "Tea Infusion for Use in Sensory Evaluation of Tea Preparation"
During the inspection process, samples should be taken, tests conducted, and sensory evaluations carried out in accordance with the aforementioned standards. The certification body must possess the necessary testing capabilities.
V. German Tea Standards (Supporting ISO 3720, with strict hygiene requirements)
In addition to implementing ISO 3720, Germany also has strict tea hygiene standards and has formulated the following inspection method standards:
DIN 10800-81 "Inspection of Tea and Tea Products - Determination of Dry Matter Content"
DIN 10801-86 "Determination of Caffeine Content in Tea"
DIN 10802-83 "Determination of Total Ash Content in Tea"
DIN 10803-85 "Determination of Extractables from Tea Liquor"
DIN 10804-86 "Inspection of Tea and Tea Products - Determination of Tea Moisture Content"
DIN 10805-87 "Determination of Insoluble Ash from Tea Acid"
DIN 10806-83 "Preparation of Tea Samples"
DIN 10809-88 "Method for Sensory Evaluation of Tea"
During the factory inspection, it is necessary to verify whether the laboratory has equipped the necessary equipment in accordance with the DIN standards and has conducted calibration. The inspection report should refer to the corresponding DIN methods.
VI. Tea Standards of Other Countries
Czech Republic and Slovakia: CSN 580115-89 "Sampling of Tea", CSN 581303 "Tea Terminology", CSN 581350-74 "General Regulations for Fermented Black Tea"
Hungary: MSZ 8170-80 "Tea"
Saudi Arabia: SSA 275-82 "Tea"
When the inspectors are involved in the above-mentioned markets, they should be familiar with the corresponding standards and indicate the standard numbers they have referred to in the inspection records.
Summary
The import and export inspection standards for tea from various countries cover aspects such as sampling, sensory evaluation, physical and chemical indicators (water extractables, ash content, caffeine, tea polyphenols, crude fiber, etc.), and hygiene and safety. During the inspection process, the inspectors should strictly follow the standards of the target market for inspection; the inspection agency needs to confirm whether the production enterprises have the conditions for production and testing that meet the standards; product certification should issue a third-party inspection report based on the above standards, thereby ensuring the quality compliance of the tea trade.