Can I send Indian tea to Korea?

Yes — sealed, processed loose-leaf or bagged tea (Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, masala chai) ships well for personal use within about 5 kg.

Is masala chai allowed?

Yes — tea blended with dried spices (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon) is fine sealed; avoid adding milk powder, which touches dairy rules.

Does tea attract duty in Korea?

Under USD 150 CIF usually none; above it DDP pre-pays any duty and VAT.

How do I keep tea fresh in transit?

Keep it in sealed retail packs, add a vacuum or airtight bag, and avoid packing next to strong-smelling items.

Are herbal/medicinal teas OK?

Ordinary herbal infusions are fine; teas making medicinal claims or with regulated actives can be treated as health-functional food.

Is there a quantity limit?

Personal-use food is generally allowed to about 5 kg; more, or for resale, needs formal food-import clearance.

Can I send tea as a gift set?

Yes — sealed gift tins and sampler sets are ideal; declare as tea and keep within the value threshold.

Will customs inspect tea?

They may spot-check; sealed, labelled tea with a clear description clears quickly.

How long does delivery take?

5–8 business days door-to-door from anywhere in India.

How do I get a quote?

WhatsApp the weight and contents to +91 78003 20078 for an all-inclusive quote and free pickup.

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Can I Send Indian Tea to South Korea? (2026 Rules for Assam, Darjeeling & Masala Chai)

Sealed Indian tea — Assam, Darjeeling, masala chai — is an easy, welcome gift to send to Korea. Here's how it clears, how to keep it fresh in transit, and when quantities become commercial.

15 June 2026 5 min read

By ShipKorea.in Editorial Team·Reviewed by India–Korea logistics specialists

Can I Send Indian Tea to South Korea? (2026 Rules for Assam, Darjeeling & Masala Chai)

Key takeaways

Sealed, processed tea clears well for personal use within ~5 kg.
Blends with dairy or herbal medicinal actives need more care; plain tea and standard masala-chai spices are fine.
Vacuum or airtight packing preserves aroma and prevents transfer to other items.
Bulk tea for resale is a commercial food import we handle separately.

Quick answer — sealed tea is an easy send

Indian tea — Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, masala chai — ships easily to South Korea for personal use. Keep it sealed and processed, within about 5 kg, and pack it airtight to preserve aroma. Plain teas and spice-blended masala chai are fine; just avoid milk-powder blends (dairy rules) and teas making medicinal claims.

What clears easily

Sealed loose-leaf and tea-bag packs, single-estate teas and standard masala-chai blends (tea plus dried cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves) are the safe core. Their retail packaging makes screening quick and they sit within the personal-use band.

The blends to watch

Two blends need care: instant chai mixes containing milk powder (dairy quarantine) and herbal teas making medicinal or functional-health claims (treated as health-functional food). Choose plain tea or spice-only masala chai to stay simple.

Quantity and route

Processed tea for personal use is generally allowed to around 5 kg on the fast list-clearance route. Larger amounts or tea for resale become a commercial food import needing a formal declaration — which we also arrange for tea exporters.

Packing for freshness

Tea absorbs and sheds aroma. Keep it in sealed retail packs, add a vacuum or airtight bag, and don't pack it beside spices or strongly scented items. This keeps the tea tasting right and protects the rest of the parcel.

Tax and DDP

A personal tea box is almost always under the USD 150 CIF line, so no duty or VAT. If a larger gift set pushes over, DDP pre-pays so the recipient owes nothing on arrival.

Booking and bulk

For a personal gift, WhatsApp the weight and contents to +91 78003 20078 for a quote and free pickup. For resale volumes we run a commercial tea-export route. Related: export Indian tea to Korea (business), send Indian snacks & food to Korea, can I send food to Korea.