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Step-by-step Trade is part of the Sri Lanka Trade Portal. More information

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Step-by-step Trade is part of the Sri Lanka Trade Portal

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Export

Of

Tea

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Register as an exporter with the Department of Commerce (DoC) New

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Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Export of tea through Port of Colombo

The full export procedure of tea compiles all the mandatory licenses, permits and clearance steps to export tea as a first-time exporter. If you are already registered as an exporter with the Department of Inland Revenue, with Sri Lanka Customs, with National Plant Quarantine Service and with the Department of Commerce, you can look in this search page of the product for the specific permits, certificates or information needed.

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Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to export, this registration is mandatory.

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Obtain certificate to use lion logo for tea

Obtaining this certificate is optional as it is only a requirement made by the importer or sometimes the importing country. This is a certification that denotes it originates from Sri Lanka.

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Obtain FSMS/HACCP system certificate

Obtaining this certificate is optional as it is only a requirement which is sometimes asked by the importer, or the Customs administration, or other public agencies of the importing country. This is a certification on the standard of the product. The certificate is obtained at the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

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Obtain license to use SLS mark

Obtaining this certificate is optional. This is a certification on the standard of the product. The certificate is obtained at the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

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Register as an exporter (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any exporter exporting any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

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Register as an exporter with the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS)

To obtain the phytosanitary certificate exporters need to register with the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS). This is a one-time registration.

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Register as an exporter with the Department of Commerce (DoC)

To obtain a certificate of origin exporters need to register with the Department of Commerce (DoC). This is a one-time registration.

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Obtain warehouse registration

For any exporter it is a requirement that the warehouse premises, where the product is stored, are registered with the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB). The warehouse registration is a pre-requisite to obtain the registration as a tea exporter and tea packer with SLTB.

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Register as an exporter and a tea packer with the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB)

This is a preliminary registration mandatory for all exporters of tea. It is valid only for one year and is issued by the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB).

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Renew registration as tea exporter and tea packer

This is the procedure to renew the registration as tea exporter and tea packer. It is mandatory to renew the registration annually.

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Obtain quality assurance certificate from Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB)

The government of Iran requests a quality certificate from all tea suppliers exporting to Iran to consider registration permitting the import. Hence, the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) has taken action to commence a process which will enable interested exporters to apply and obtain a quality certificate for submission to Iran. This scheme is voluntary. and the Sri Lanka Tea Board will undertake inspection only on the request of the specific tea exporter and arrange expertise as per a pre-scheduled plan and audit using applicable standards. This is a certification on the standards of the product.

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Permits

Obtain approval for tea export

The Tea Board issues a final approval for the tea intended to be exported.The Customs department does not give permission for commercially exported Tea cargo to exit Sri Lanka without this approval by the Tea Board.

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Obtain certificate of origin

The Department of Commerce (DoC) is responsible for issuing the various preferential certificates of origin (COOs) under all GSP schemes, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) of which Sri Lanka is either a beneficiary or party. For non-preferential certificate of origin, exporters have to obtain it from authorized Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka.

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Obtain phytosanitary certificate

The National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) is responsible for issuing thr phytosanitary certificate. A phytosanitary certificate is a document which confirms the health status of a plant material (plant or plant product) that are exported to a country. Traders are required to obtain a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment, and are expected to know the market requirements of their export market.

Obtain phytosanitary certificate with additional declaration

An importing country may require an additional declaration to be entered on a phytosanitary certificate and which provides specific additional information pertinent to the phytosanitary condition of a consignment. NPQS will carry out the necessary testing prior to issuing the phytosanitary with the additional declaration.

Obtain VAT certificate

To export any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the exporter can request the permanent VAT registration.

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