Tea, green; (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg

HS code 090220 covers the import and export of green tea in immediate packings exceeding 3kg. Green tea is a widely consumed beverage globally, with significant demand in both developed and developing markets. The tea industry plays a crucial role in the agricultural and food processing sectors, providing employment and income to millions of people worldwide. As a versatile commodity, green tea finds applications in various industries, from food and beverage to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, making it an important component of the broader international trade landscape.

The production of green tea (090220) involves a series of carefully orchestrated steps. After harvesting the fresh tea leaves, they undergo a process of withering, where the leaves are gently dried to reduce their moisture content. The leaves are then steamed or pan-fired to halt the oxidation process, preserving the green color and delicate flavor. Finally, the leaves are rolled and sorted into different grades based on size, quality, and other characteristics, before being packaged for distribution and export.

The production of green tea (090220) requires several key inputs. The primary raw material is the fresh tea leaves, which are typically sourced from specialized tea plantations or small-scale tea growers. In addition to the tea leaves, the industry relies on processing equipment such as withering troughs, steaming machines, and rolling machines to transform the raw material into the final product. Packaging materials, such as airtight bags or canisters, are also essential to maintain the quality and freshness of the tea during transportation and storage.

The primary output of HS code 090220 is green tea in immediate packings exceeding 3kg. This green tea can be further processed and packaged into smaller consumer-ready units, catering to the needs of 220210 Non-alcoholic beverages and 330499 Cosmetics and toiletry preparations. Additionally, the tea leaves from this industry may be used as an input for other tea-based products, such as 090210 (Tea, green; (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg) or 090230 (Tea, black (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg).