Tea Blending and Packing for Export

Overseas importers, distributors, retailers and cafes that want a ready-packed product or a custom blend.

You sell packed tea by the case or pallet. Blending, packing and private label work let you charge more than for bulk tea alone.

• Tea tasting and blending
• Food hygiene and good record keeping
• Selling to trade buyers
• Managing stock and orders

• Register your food business with your local council before you start packing, and check food safety and hazard analysis (HACCP) expectations
• Labelling rules in the UK and each destination country, including ingredients, allergens and language
• Some importers ask for certificates such as organic or origin documents, check what your buyers need
• Export paperwork, EORI number and commodity codes, check current HMRC guidance
• Product liability and public liability insurance, plus goods in transit cover
• Rent, packaging and stock tie up cash before the first order is paid

Startup costs are typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on your unit, equipment, packaging and opening stock. These are estimates. Rent, packaging and stock tie up cash before the first order is paid, so plan for that.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many buyers you win and how large their orders are. That is revenue, not profit, and it is an estimate. Expect to spend at least around 20 hours a week.

Check that you register your food business with your local council, and what food safety and HACCP expectations apply. Also check labelling rules in the UK and each destination, any certificates your buyers need, and HMRC guidance on EORI numbers and commodity codes.