How To Sell Tea On Amazon in 2024 (Step-by-Step Guide)
Tea from Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri is considered to be the finest in the world and it is among the top 5 tea exporters in the world. In 2021, India exported around US $687.9 million of tea. Various types of tea are exported from India such as Black tea, Herbal tea and green tea. Russia, Iran, UAE and Uk are the major importers of Tea in India and import around Us $277.3 million in one year. The government is taking a lot of initiative to help the Indian exporters. Subsidies are also provided to the tea exporters to participate in the International fairs and exhibitions by the Tea board.
With a huge marketplace of tea in India, many sellers have found success. You can also sell flavored tea as the young generation has the habit of something new. Many of the sellers choose a niche, which is more concerned about their health and love to consume weight loss and detox tea. Many students and professionals who work late at night like tea with an extra boost of caffeine in it.
According to suitability, you have a choice to sell loose-leaf tea, ready-to-drink tea or tea bags. You can also look at the option of Iced tea or organic tea. Now the question arises, where you can sell tea? The Answer is Amazon as it is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms and it is the leading in online selling for years with no sign of slowing down so it gives you the best opportunity to sell tea on Amazon.
In 2018, around 2 million units of tea were sold across India. Almost 50,000+ tea units are sold on Amazon every week. Amazon has managed to build a position in the mind of the customers, therefore they trust it to buy consumer goods from it. You will be amazed to know that the tea category has a 50% year-on-year growth. There are more than 2000 sellers selling tea on Amazon and they are quite successful in their business.
Amazon is the online destination for small and medium, Amazon ships to 100% service pin codes. Crores of people prefer Amazon to buy their goods. It is the best platform that sells globally and reaches 180+ countries.
It provides brand protection and secure payments which makes it a trustable site. More than 15000 sellers have become millionaires by selling on Amazon. If you want to join them, grab this opportunity to join the huge team of sellers on Amazon. With the help of the e-commerce export program which comes under Amazon Global selling, you can take your retail tea business online.
What Are The Major Tea Importing Countries For India?
India is the 4rth largest tea exporter in the world. Following are the countries which are the major tea importers to India in 2020:
- USA
- UK
- Japan
- Saudi Arabia
- Germany
- Canada
What Are The Types Of Tea Exported From India?
Black Tea
Black tea is considered rich in antioxidants that may improve heart and gut health and lowers cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar level. It is also one of the most consumed beverages in India. Black tea tends to be bold and brisk and is often called astringent. It is made from the dried leaves of the camellia Sinensis plant. These leaf buds are also used to make green and oolong teas.
Green Tea
Green tea originated in China and from there, its manufacturing has spread to other countries in East Asia. It is manufactured from Camellia Sinensis leaves and buds that have undergone the withering and oxidation process. It is used as a drink supplement which is used for high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, and to prevent heart disease and ovarian cancer.
Fruit Tea
Fruit tea is not from the tea plant, it is simply from the dried fruits, sometimes spices or some flowers added to it. It is healthy in many ways until a lot of sugar is added to it. Fruit is naturally sweet and full of flavor with a natural sweetener added to it. Fruit tea is also full of antioxidants and vitamin c and is amazing in keeping the body free of toxins and making the immune system strong. It is a refreshing and energizing tea, especially in summer or for people who love iced tea or cold brewing.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is a delicious beverage and also yields several benefits. It has antioxidants as well as nutrients which makes it beneficial for health. Some of the benefits of herbal tea are reduced inflammation, better immune system function and many more. It has a lot of benefits as it can help to protect your cells from damage caused by out-of-hand free radicals reacting with other molecules in your body. It is loaded with anti-bacterial and antiviral properties to give you a healthy boost.
Masala Tea
It is India’s most popular drink and is loved by everyone. It is flavorsome, delicious and very relaxing. A hot cup of masala tea is considered to be very relaxing and to soothe your senses and refresh your mind. Masala tea is used by Indians all year round along with the evening snack or breakfast. Masala tea is milk brewed with aromatic spices. Every household in India has a different style of making masala tea, the quantity of milk, water, and spices differ according to the taste of the person.
What Are The Documents Required To Export Tea From India
Tea is often exported from India after a quality check to maintain its quality. You will also be required to get a license if you want to export tea from India. Following are the documents which will be required if you want to become one of the tea exporters.
1. Export License Cum Membership From Tea Board Of India
Every exporter who is selling packaged teas, instant tea or tea bags in bulk has to get registered with the Tea board to get the license cum membership certificate under the Export-Import policy of the Government of India.
How To Register And Get A Tea Export License?
The tea board of India is a board set up by the government of India and acts as an export promotion agency that promotes the growth of the tea export market. Tea board of India issues RCMC to its registered members and exporters. It is considered one of the most important documents to export tea from India. You can also have a look at the following: why is it important to register with RCMC? Following are the document which will be required to apply for the RCMC
- Application form in the suggested format by the tea board of India
- Import-export Code suggested by the DGFT
- Application fees as prescribed by the Tea board of India
How To Apply For RCMC
You can easily obtain RCMC online on the eGovernance Initiative for citizen-centric services portal (eGICCS)
- Login to the eGICCS website by submitting your email address, contact details and business name.
- Fill out forms 19-A, and 19-B and create a cheque for the prescribed registration fee in favor of the ‘Tea Board of India’.
- Submit your Import export code and other documents as mentioned in the application form
The RCMC application will be verified and will be issued within two working days from the date of receipt of the application. Once you receive the RCMC, you can export tea from India using eCommerce which will make your global expansion easy. You can also sell through Amazon Global Selling to international marketplaces like the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Japan and many more. Amazon Global Selling can also help you with export documentation, international shipping, Inventory and storage.
2. Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
The exporters are required to apply for the IEC Certificate from the DGFT Official website. The exporters can apply for it by filing the required application and attaching the required documents to it.
How To Apply For An IEC?
Here is the process how to apply for the IEC Certificate:
- Log on to DGFT Website: The first step is to log on to the DGFT Website. To register on the DGFT website, go to the service tab and click on IEC profile management. On the homepage, click on apply for IEC. A pop-up will appear. You can either log in to the DGFT website or create a new profile if you do not have an account.
- Enter PAN Details: Once you will log in to the DGFT Website, a screen will be displayed that will be asking for PAN details, mobile number and Email Id. Enter the CAPTCHA and generate the token.
- Enter business details: The next page on the screen will display the ECOM number that will be used for future communications regarding your IEC information. You will also be required to enter details regarding your businesses. It includes the date of incorporation, nature of the concern and bank of details.
- Enter your date of birth, name, applicant address, PAN, date and place of submission. You will also be required to fill in the branch details of your business. If you do not have any branch, you can leave the space empty.
- Enter partner details: In this step, you have to write the partner details if you have a partnership firm or the details of the director if you have a business.
- Upload documents and pay fees: Upload all the necessary documents required like address proof and canceled cheque. All the documents must be scanned and uploaded in the same manner as the format selected such as PDF or GIF.
- After you have uploaded the documents, a screen will appear where you will be required to make the payment. Choose the method through which you want to make the payment and click the ‘submit’ button.
- Preview and submit application: After completing all the steps, you can preview your application form, and print it as a record for the official purpose. If you find any discrepancy, you can go and make the necessary changes. After reviewing the application, and making necessary changes, you can submit the reviewed application.
3. Phytosanitary Document From Plant Quarantine Det.
Phytosanitary documents are used by exporters when their consignment is found to be free from quarantine pests upon inspection. The exporter will be required to present a sample at the quarantine station and request a review on the official website.
4. FDA Registration Certificate
The suppliers will have to make sure that the food labeling is according to FDA guidelines. It provides direct claims on the product and its ingredients as specified on the labels. Along with the registration of manufacturing, packing and distributor facilities as a food establishment, this is a mandatory requirement.
5. FSSAI License
It is a certification provided to food businesses in India to ensure the safety of food products. FSSAI license is administered by the ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India. It is considered one of the key documents. FSSAI performs the following function:
- Set standards and guidelines about the quality of foods
- Lays down the mechanism to provide licenses to various food business operators. It carries out activities related to the manufacturing, storage and distribution of these products.
- It lays down guidelines for quality testing and stores information about the accredited laboratories.
- Promote General awareness about the safety and quality of products
- Collect and arrange data about contamination in food and risk management systems.
Guide To Sell Tea Online From Amazon
Amazon Global Selling helps local tea sellers to set up their account and list their tea products on international marketplaces across the world. In 2018, Amazon helped the Indians to set up an export business in India and sell close to 2 million tea units across the globe.
About Amazon Global Selling
Amazon Global Selling is an e-commerce platform that helps take your business from India to international marketplaces. You can easily sell on Amazon Global Selling whether you are a local city store, multi-city store, upcoming startup or seasoned startup, you can export your product and expand your business worldwide.
Register Your Business
You must register your tea export business on Amazon Global Selling. It is not mandatory to be an existing Indian seller. You can directly register on seller central. You will require KYC documents and PAN. You will also be required to give GST information and an active bank account for payment. You can access seller central here. You will have to register yourself here as a seller to sell your tea on Amazon
List Your Products
Once you have registered yourself as a seller, you will be required to list your tea products on Amazon. For the listing, you can either match an existing seller or create your listing. To list your products you will require to have your product's SKU details and product information. How to create a new product listing If you want to sell tea which is not listed on Amazon, you will need to create a new listing so that the customers can find all the relevant information about it. If you list your product on any international marketplace, it will generate an ASIN( Amazon Standard Identification Number).
You can add descriptive titles, clear images and concise features to your products. This is what the product details will look like:
- Product title: Providing a concise description of the product approx 200 words
- Product images: The photograph should be clear and show as much detail as possible, images should be 500*500 pixels, if you want your product to be viewed, it is recommended for you to use 1000*1000 pixels.
- Variations: Products that vary by color or size can be listed as variations.
- Bullet Points: It lists the product's top feature and catches the customer's interest
- Featured offer: Customer can either click on ‘Add to or ‘Buy Now
- Other offers: Many times, the same product is sold by different sellers at different prices and shipping options.
- Product Description: It provides details about the product, Optimize using keywords so that anyone looking for your product can find it through the search tab.
How To Search And Match Products
If you are selling the tea which is already listed on Amazon, you will have to simply select the product, add the price you want to sell and the quantity of the product you have in your stock. This is ideal for sellers who want to list a few products per month.
How Can You List Your Product In Bulk?
All the sellers who have professional seller accounts have the option of listing their products in huge batches using bulk uploading and inventory management. If you want to sell your product in bulk, you can upload your products in bulk under two categories, either a new product on Amazon or already an existing product.
Tips To List Products On Amazon International Marketplaces
Amazon International Marketplaces opens up opportunities for Indian sellers to meet global customers across the world. A simple registration that takes less than 18 minutes will help you sell in 18 countries with Amazon across the globe.
1. Decide What And Where You Want To Sell
Before selling on Amazon, what and where to sell is important. You will have to know the product-related information and the know-how on taxes and regulations.
2. Amazon Marketplaces You Can Export To
You can rapidly grow your business with amazon having its marketplaces in 18 countries. This will be the best platform if you want to see your business grow at a rapid pace.
3. Register To Create An Amazon Seller Account
If you want to start listing your products on Amazon Global Marketplaces, you can register and create your seller account. Following are the key documents which will be required to register as an exporter with Amazon Global Selling is:
- Identity proof like Aadhar card, passport and driving license
- Business Address Proof
- The international transaction enabled - credit card
Learn How To List Your Product On Amazon
Once you have registered yourself as an amazon seller, now is time to list your products on the Amazon marketplace. Depending on the products you have and the category in which you fall, you can list your products either in bulk or individually. Following are the three ways to list your product on Amazon.
1. Create a new product listing
2. Search and match products
3. List your products on Amazon in bulk
Tips To List On Amazon International Marketplaces
Following is the list of how you can list your products on Amazon International marketplaces. You can add clear images, descriptive titles and concise feature bullets to your items.
1. Product IDs: Amazon uses the `Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) such as UUPC, ISBN or EAN to identify the exact item you are selling. If you match a listing, you will not be required to provide a product ID since it already exists but if you are selling a product that is new on Amazon then you need to purchase a UPC Code or make a request for exemption.
2. Product measurement and weight: After you receive the ID, make sure to write the correct measurement of the product. If your product is already listed on Amazon, you can simply copy and paste the measurement but if your product is new, you will be required to physically measure the product and write the new measurement. Knowing the size of your article will help you plan well to sell your products and store your products.
3. Take quality pictures of your product: Taking high-quality pictures is an essential component of a product listing on Amazon. The images should be at least 500*500 pixels and set against a white background. The picture should be clear and must cover at least 80% of the area. The picture should be this good that it helps the customers to decide for themselves. The picture should be identical to the product so that the customer can be satisfied.
4. Make your product easily accessible: Make sure that the customers can access the product once it becomes live for sale. Explore the different features available on Amazon and make sure that you have selected the correct category on Amazon.
5. Add the right keywords and definitions: The product description will give the correct information to the customers and the keywords will help the customers to find the list of the products easily. Provide several search terms and optimize using keywords that someone is looking for your product might enter in the same field.
Deliver Your Products
Once you receive the order, you will be required to deliver the products to the consumers. Amazon provides you with ways of fulfilling these orders.
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): In Fulfillment by Amazon, the storing, packaging and delivery will be taken care of by Amazon. In FBA, you can also get prime badges for your products. This will help expand your business.
- Easy Ship: In Easy ship, you have to arrange for your storage and packaging, and Amazon will deliver it to your customer's doorstep
- Self-Ship: In Self-Ship, You will store, pack and deliver to your customer. This can be a burden if you will get any bulk orders.
Get Paid Every 7 Days
You will get the payment every 7th day after your orders are successfully delivered. The payment will be directly deposited into your bank account after delivering your order.
Final Words
If you wish to sell tea on Amazon you will be required to follow the above-mentioned steps. As Amazon is one of the most visited shopping sites in the world. You can easily sell on Amazon by registering as a seller. You can also sell on Amazon Global Marketplaces which will help you to sell all over the world.