Nepali tea exporters in hot water as India toughens import rules

Mandatory lab testing, added fees and stricter procedures from May 1 may disrupt shipments, raise costs and erode competitiveness of Nepal’s key export.

India has introduced a series of strict measures to safeguard its domestic tea industry amid rising imports, prompting concern among Nepali exporters who warn the move could significantly disrupt one of Nepal’s key foreign exchange-earning sectors.