🇬🇧 Kenya → United Kingdom

Kenyan Tea Exporter to United Kingdom

Supplying United Kingdom importers with Kenyan tea — quoted FOB Mombasa, CFR, CIF or DAP to Felixstowe or London Heathrow.

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Tea fields in Limuru, Kenya under a cloudy sky

Kenyan tea for the United Kingdom market

UK blenders use Kenyan PF1 and BP1 as the backbone of breakfast blends. Rainforest Alliance-certified lots and full MRL documentation are available for retail programmes.

We supply Kenyan tea sourced from the Mombasa Tea Auction (run by the East African Tea Trade Association) and by direct sale from factories in the KTDA smallholder network and private estates. Kenyan tea is grown between 1,500 m and 2,700 m above sea level, close to the equator, which allows plucking almost all year round and gives consistently bright, coloury liquors.

Buyers we serve in United Kingdom: Tea importers, wholesalers, blenders, packers, supermarkets and private-label brands.

Import requirements & trade terms for United Kingdom

Kenya and the UK trade under the UK–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, giving duty-free, quota-free access for Kenyan goods. Fresh produce and flowers enter with a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification on the UK IPAFFS system; most supermarkets require GlobalG.A.P., GRASP and retailer-specific ethical audits.

Documents we provide

Commercial invoice & packing list
Bill of Lading
Certificate of Origin (KNCCI / EAC / COMESA)
Phytosanitary certificate (KEPHIS)
AFA Tea Directorate export permit
Quality & lab analysis on request (moisture, MRLs, heavy metals)

HS codes: 0902.40 (black tea, packs > 3 kg) · 0902.30 (black tea, packs ≤ 3 kg) · 0902.10/0902.20 (green tea)

Varieties available for United Kingdom

CTC Black Tea — BP1 (Broken Pekoe 1)

Large, uniform black granules; bright, brisk liquor. Preferred for loose-leaf retail packs and premium blends.

Manufacture: CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl), fully oxidised
Appearance: black, granular, even, well-twisted particles
Particle size: approx. 1.0–1.4 mm (retained on 14 mesh)
Infused leaf: bright coppery
Liquor: bright, brisk, coloury, medium-full body

Sample: $4.20/kg (indicative) Full specs →

CTC Black Tea — PF1 (Pekoe Fannings 1)

The workhorse grade for tea bags and blends — strong, coloury and quick-brewing.

Manufacture: CTC, fully oxidised
Appearance: black, small even granules
Particle size: approx. 0.6–1.0 mm (18–24 mesh)
Infused leaf: bright coppery-red
Liquor: strong, quick-brewing, red-bright, brisk

Sample: $4.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

CTC Black Tea — PD (Pekoe Dust)

Fine dust grade for tea bags and quick-brew applications; high colour and thickness.

Manufacture: CTC, fully oxidised
Appearance: fine, black, grainy dust
Particle size: approx. 0.4–0.6 mm (24–30 mesh)
Liquor: thick, dark, strong, coloury
Moisture: ≤ 6%

Sample: $3.80/kg (indicative) Full specs →

CTC Black Tea — D1 (Dust 1)

Fine dust widely used in South Asian and Middle Eastern markets for milk tea and local packers.

Manufacture: CTC, fully oxidised
Appearance: fine, clean, black grainy dust
Particle size: approx. 0.25–0.45 mm (30–40 mesh)
Liquor: very strong, dark, thick; excellent with milk
Moisture: ≤ 6.5%

Sample: $3.60/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Secondary grades — BP, PF, PF2, D, FNGS, BMF

Value grades for economy blends, instant tea, extract manufacture and price-sensitive markets.

Manufacture: CTC sorting by-grades
Grades: BP, PF, PF2, D, D2, FNGS, BMF
Appearance: mixed size; some fibre and flake
Liquor: plainer, lighter than primary grades
Moisture: ≤ 7%

Sample: $2.90/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Orthodox Black Tea (whole leaf / broken leaf)

Rolled, oxidised whole-leaf and broken-leaf grades (FOP, OP, BOP, BOPF) for specialty and loose-leaf brands.

Manufacture: orthodox (withered, rolled, oxidised, dried)
Grades: FOP, OP, OP1, BOP, BOPF, FBOP, GFOP (tippy)
Appearance: wiry or twisted black leaf, some golden tips
Liquor: bright amber, aromatic, smooth
Flavour notes: malty, floral, muscatel (high-grown)

Sample: $6.50/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Green Tea

Steamed or pan-fired unoxidised tea from Kenyan clones; grassy, sweet cup.

Manufacture: steamed (sencha style) or pan-fired; CTC green available
Appearance: green-olive leaf or granules
Liquor: pale yellow-green, fresh, grassy
Moisture: ≤ 6%
Total polyphenols: approx. 15–25%

Sample: $8.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Purple Tea (TRFK 306)

Kenya-developed purple-leaf cultivar, high in anthocyanins and antioxidants; sold as orthodox and CTC.

Cultivar: TRFK 306/1 (Kenya)
Forms: orthodox leaf, CTC, green-style, extract
Leaf colour: purple to dark green-purple
Anthocyanins: high (cultivar-specific)
Liquor: light, smooth, slightly woody; purple hue with lemon

Sample: $15.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

White Tea / Silver Tips

Hand-plucked buds, minimally processed. Small volumes for luxury and specialty brands.

Manufacture: hand-plucked buds, withered and dried
Appearance: silvery-white downy buds
Liquor: very pale gold, delicate, sweet
Flavour notes: honey, melon, floral
Moisture: ≤ 6%

Sample: $41.00/kg (indicative) Full specs →

Where it is grown / produced

Growing / production area	Altitude	Notes
Kericho & Bomet (West of Rift)	1,800–2,500 m	Kenya's tea heartland; large estates and smallholders, high-rainfall plucking year round.
Nandi Hills	1,800–2,100 m	Bright, brisk teas from estates and KTDA factories.
Kisii & Nyamira	1,700–2,200 m	Smallholder teas with strong colour.
Nyeri, Murang'a & Kirinyaga (Aberdares/Mt Kenya)	1,700–2,300 m	East-of-Rift teas, often brighter and more flavoury.
Embu, Meru & Tharaka-Nithi (Mt Kenya East)	1,600–2,200 m	Highly regarded for bright, brisk liquors.
Kiambu & Limuru	2,000–2,300 m	Historic estates close to Nairobi.

Season

Year-round production; peak flush typically March–June and October–December. The Mombasa auction runs weekly.

Minimum order

Trial: 1 pallet (~1 MT). Commercial: 1 × 20ft FCL (approx. 18–21 MT depending on grade).

Packaging

Multiwall kraft paper sacks with poly/foil liner, 50–70 kg net
Bulk sacks palletised and stretch-wrapped on request
Private-label retail packs (tea bags, 250 g – 1 kg loose) on request

FAQ — Tea from Kenya to United Kingdom

How long does shipping from Kenya to United Kingdom take?

Indicative transit is 24–35 days by sea/road from Mombasa and 1 day by air from Nairobi JKIA to United Kingdom, depending on routing and carrier.

Which port or airport in United Kingdom can you deliver to?

We quote CFR/CIF or CPT/CIP to Felixstowe (GBFXT), London Gateway (GBLGP), Southampton (GBSOU), London Heathrow (LHR), London Stansted (STN) and other ports or airports on request.

Can I get a sample of Kenyan tea shipped to United Kingdom?

Yes. Use our quote form and select "Sample request". Sample cost is the indicative international price plus USD 1 per kg; we email an invoice with payment details and courier cost.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Product Buying Guides

Buy Kenyan Tea Wholesale: CTC Grades, FOB Prices & How to Import in Bulk

A practical guide for tea importers, blenders and packers: which Kenyan CTC grade to buy, how pricing works, minimum orders, packing and how to ship to your port.

Read guide →

Export Market Guides

Import from Kenya to the UK: Tea, Roses, Fine Beans & Avocado Oil Supplier (Duty-Free)

Duty-free access, retail certifications and the Kenyan products UK buyers source most.

Read guide →

Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

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