How to set up a Tea business in Bangladesh
We advise tea-garden owners, investors, blenders, packers and exporters on Tea Board licensing, garden leases, auction and trade rules, and plantation labour compliance.
A heritage industry with modern opportunities
Bangladesh has a long-established tea industry centred in Sylhet and Chattogram, with tea sold through the national auction and increasingly through branded packets.
The Bangladesh Tea Board licenses tea gardens, factories, blenders and traders. Most gardens operate on government land leases, and plantation workers are covered by special labour provisions.
Key steps to get started
Company Formation
Incorporate with RJSC and obtain a trade licence, e-TIN and BIN.
Garden or Trading Model
Tea garden, processing factory, blending and packing or trading and export.
Tea Board Licence
Licence or registration from the Bangladesh Tea Board.
Land Lease
Garden lease documentation and land-use compliance.
Auction & Trade
Broker, auction and buyer registration for tea sales.
Labour & Export
Plantation labour compliance and export arrangements.
What you are likely to need
Requirements depend on the scale, location and structure of your business. Common approvals include:
- RJSC incorporation & trade licence
- e-TIN & VAT/BIN registration
- Bangladesh Tea Board licence
- Tea garden lease
- Factory licence (DIFE)
- Food-safety & BSTI compliance (packaged tea)
- ERC
- Trademark registration (brands)
Key laws & regulators
- Tea Act, 2016
- Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 (tea plantation provisions)
- State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950
- Safe Food Act, 2013
- Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Act, 2018
- Export Policy
- Companies Act, 1994
- Regulators: Bangladesh Tea Board, Ministry of Commerce
Your legal partner from day one
We advise on the right structure — company, branch, liaison office or joint venture.
We handle name clearance, RJSC incorporation and constitutional documents.
We obtain sector licences, registrations and regulatory approvals.
We support ongoing filings, contracts, employment and disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates the tea industry?
The Bangladesh Tea Board regulates and licenses tea gardens, factories and trade.
Can I buy a tea garden?
Most gardens are held on long-term government leases; transfer is subject to approval. We conduct due diligence on lease terms.
How is tea sold in Bangladesh?
A large share is sold through the tea auction in Chattogram via licensed brokers, alongside direct and branded sales.
Speak with our legal team
Tell us about your matter. A Premier Law Services lawyer will review it and advise you on the right next step — in person at our Dhaka chamber or online.