Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried
Industry PositionFood Ingredient (Beverage Raw Material)
Market
Tea leaves (HS 0902) in Kazakhstan is an import-dependent consumer market with little to no domestic cultivation, so supply is primarily driven by imports. UN Comtrade-based data published via the World Bank WITS indicates Kenya and India were leading exporters of black tea in bulk packings (HS 090240) to Kazakhstan in 2023. Kazakhstan also exported packaged black tea (HS 090230) in 2023 to neighboring markets (notably Russia and Kyrgyzstan), consistent with domestic repacking/blending and regional re-export activity. Market access risk is shaped by Kazakhstan’s plant quarantine regime and EAEU food safety/labeling technical regulations.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with regional repacking/re-export of packaged tea
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption relies on imported tea; local value-add is primarily blending/packing for retail and redistribution
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityYear-round availability is largely import-driven, with supply timing influenced more by logistics corridors and import scheduling than by local harvest seasonality.
Specification
Primary VarietyBlack tea (fermented/partly fermented) is a major traded form (HS 090230/090240) in Kazakhstan’s import and re-export flows
Secondary Variety- Green tea (not fermented) (HS 090210/090220)
Physical Attributes- Moisture protection is critical (tea is hygroscopic and prone to quality loss if exposed to humidity)
- Odor taint risk requires clean, non-odorous packaging and storage
Packaging- Bulk packings >3kg for imported black tea (HS 090240) used for downstream packing/blending
- Retail/consumer packings ≤3kg for packaged black tea (HS 090230)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin processing (drying/fermentation) → export in bulk packings → multimodal transport to Kazakhstan → import clearance and (if applicable) quarantine phytosanitary control → domestic blending/repacking for retail → domestic distribution and/or regional re-export
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; protect from heat spikes that can accelerate aroma loss and staling
Atmosphere Control- Keep product dry and sealed; prevent exposure to strong odors during warehousing and transit
Shelf Life- Dried tea is shelf-stable, but quality is sensitive to moisture ingress and prolonged exposure to oxygen/odors
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Plant Quarantine HighKazakhstan’s plant quarantine regime can prohibit or restrict import/transit of quarantineable products through temporary quarantine phytosanitary measures, and it prohibits import of quarantineable products of high phytosanitary risk without phytosanitary certificates; non-compliance can result in detention and disruption at entry or destination control points.Confirm whether the tea lot is classified as quarantineable/high phytosanitary risk under Kazakhstan rules; secure the required phytosanitary certificate(s) from the exporting country’s national quarantine service where applicable; pre-validate shipping documents and labeling before dispatch.
Logistics MediumKazakhstan is landlocked and relies on multimodal corridors for tea supply; border delays or corridor disruptions can extend lead times and increase landed cost, affecting continuity of supply for packers and retailers.Build buffer inventory for core SKUs; diversify corridors and forwarders; align incoterms, insurance, and lead-time SLAs with multimodal transit risks.
Regulatory Compliance MediumFood safety and labeling/marking compliance under EAEU technical regulation can create hold/rework risk for packaged tea, especially when importer/manufacturer details change or when products include flavorings/additives with evolving technical regulation transition rules.Maintain an EAEU compliance checklist for packaged tea labels and ingredient statements; monitor Eurasian Economic Commission technical regulation updates and transition timelines; keep documented change-control for label/artwork updates.
Sustainability- Upstream pesticide stewardship and residue management in origin-country tea production can affect compliance risk for Kazakhstan importers
- Packaging waste and recyclability concerns for retail tea formats may be relevant for brand and retailer ESG screening
Labor & Social- Because Kazakhstan is import-dependent for tea, labor and human-rights due diligence risks are primarily upstream in origin-country plantation and smallholder supply chains rather than in domestic cultivation
FAQ
Which HS codes are most commonly relevant for tea leaves trade into Kazakhstan?Tea is classified under HS heading 0902. Key HS 6-digit lines include 090210/090220 (green tea, not fermented) and 090230/090240 (black or partly fermented tea), split by immediate packings not exceeding 3kg vs exceeding 3kg, as defined in the UN HS classification detail.
Why does Kazakhstan show up as an exporter of black tea if it has little to no tea cultivation?UN Comtrade-based WITS tables show Kazakhstan exported packaged black tea (HS 090230) in 2023, mainly to neighboring markets such as the Russian Federation and Kyrgyzstan. Given that Kazakhstan’s inbound supply includes substantial imports of bulk black tea (HS 090240), this pattern is consistent with repacking/blending and re-export of imported tea rather than export of domestically grown tea.
What is the main regulatory “stopper” risk for tea shipments entering Kazakhstan?Kazakhstan’s plant quarantine framework allows quarantine phytosanitary control and can restrict imports via temporary quarantine measures; it also prohibits importing quarantineable products of high phytosanitary risk without phytosanitary certificates. If a shipment is treated as a regulated quarantineable product and the required documentation is missing or non-compliant, it can be detained and supply can be disrupted.