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한국어 What this page covers
New import rules in the markets that buy Sri Lankan tea, spices, coconut products, fruit and rubber, with the date each one starts and what you have to do as the exporter. Each rule links to its source. Rules marked official source were checked against the regulator’s own text; rules marked trade press come from law firms or trade publications, so confirm the detail with your importer before you rely on it.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Your importer is responsible for clearing goods in their country, and their requirements come first. For the documents each product category needs from us, see Category Export Requirements. For webinars where regulators explain these rules, see Online Events for Sri Lankan Exporters.
In sintesi
| Market | What changes | Prodotti | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | Data Matrix code on every consumer pack (Chestny Znak) | Packed tea | Since 1 Apr 2026 |
| Indonesia | Halal certificate required for imported food and drink | Tea, spices, coconut and all food | From 18 Oct 2026 |
| Cina | Exporting-country recommendation needed to register the factory | Ground spices, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, edible oils | Since 1 Jun 2026 |
| Cina | New food label standards | All prepackaged food | From 16 Mar 2027 |
| European Union | No PFAS above set limits in food-contact packaging | All packed food | From 12 Aug 2026 |
| European Union | Deforestation due diligence (EUDR) | Natural rubber | From 30 Dec 2026 |
| European Union | Organic imports need a control body recognised for compliance | Organic products | Since 1 Jan 2025 |
| New Zealand | Salmonella and aflatoxin testing on each lot | Dried pepper, chilli, paprika | From 1 Feb 2027 |
| Egitto | Fixed retail pack sizes for tea | Prepacked tea | 2026 |
| Stati Uniti | Food traceability records (FSMA 204) | Fresh herbs and some fresh fruit | Not enforced before 20 Jul 2028 |
Russia: tea labeling (Chestny Znak)
Russia requires a scannable Data Matrix code on every consumer pack of tea, mate and tea extracts from 1 April 2026 (cocoa from 1 December 2025, coffee from 1 June 2026). Customs could release unmarked goods for one month after each start date, and stock made earlier can be sold until it expires. Further stages follow from mid-2027, with full pack-by-pack tracking in 2028; sources still disagree on the exact dates. trade press
Not covered: tea packs under 3 g, loose tea sold by weight, and samples not for sale. Bulk tea that is not in consumer packaging is not covered.
What you do: your Russian importer registers in the system and orders the codes. The codes can be printed on each pack in Sri Lanka before shipping, or applied later in a Russian customs or logistics warehouse. Agree which one before you pack.
Sources: Russian Government Resolution No. 1682 of 30 Nov 2024, amended by No. 809 (31 May 2025) and No. 186 (25 Feb 2026); Chestny Znak operator knowledge base; TKS.ru on importer rules.
Other Eurasian Economic Union countries
Under Eurasian Economic Commission Council Decision No. 53 of 27 April 2026, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia may each require the same tea labeling, but no earlier than 1 April 2026 and only after notifying the Commission at least six months ahead. official source Belarus already requires its own control stamp on consumer packs of tea of 25 g or more, a rule in place since 2011.
Sources: EEC Decision No. 53; Belarus Resolution No. 1030.
Indonesia: halal certification for imported food
The grace period for halal certification of imported food and drink ends on 17 October 2026, so the requirement applies from 18 October 2026. official source The product needs a halal certificate from a foreign halal body that has a mutual recognition agreement with Indonesia’s halal agency (BPJPH), and the certificate must be registered with BPJPH through its Sihalal system. A further regulation in force from 9 September 2026 adds a halal conformity check on each shipment before customs. trade press
The “not halal” label exists only for products made from non-halal ingredients. Tea and spices cannot use it to avoid certification. No exemption for tea or spices was found.
What you do: before quoting an Indonesian buyer, confirm that your halal certifier is on BPJPH’s list of recognised foreign halal bodies. We found no evidence yet that a Sri Lankan body has such an agreement, so check this first.
Sources: BPJPH statement; Government Regulation 42/2024; ChemLinked on BPJPH Regulation 4/2026.
China: factory registration and new labels
China’s customs rules for overseas food factories (GACC Decree 280) replaced the old Decree 248 on 1 June 2026. official source Factories in 17 categories now need a recommendation from the exporting country’s competent authority to register. For Sri Lanka those include ground spices and seasoning powders, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, dehydrated vegetables and edible oils such as coconut oil. Tea and whole (unground) spices are not on the list and can register themselves. The factory’s registration number must be given in the import customs declaration.
Two new label standards, GB 7718-2025 and GB 28050-2025, apply to all prepackaged food from 16 March 2027: a mandatory nutrition panel, highlighted allergens, and both production and expiry dates. trade press
What you do: if you ship ground spices, desiccated coconut, dried fruit or coconut oil to China, ask the Export Development Board or the National Plant Quarantine Service how to get the recommendation, since they handled earlier registrations. Give your registration number to your importer for the customs declaration, and plan new Chinese labels for stock arriving after March 2027.
Sources: GACC Announcement No. 27 of 2026; Singapore Food Agency circular on Decree 280; EDB on GACC registration.
European Union
PFAS in food packaging
From 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging cannot be placed on the EU market if it contains PFAS above the limits in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. official source The new harmonised packaging labels come later.
What you do: ask your packaging supplier for a PFAS statement for tea bags, liners and pouches going to the EU.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
Deforestation regulation (natural rubber)
The EU deforestation regulation applies from 30 December 2026, and from 30 June 2027 for micro and small operators. official source It covers natural rubber. It does not cover tea, spices or coconut.
What you do: rubber exporters should be ready to give the EU buyer plot geolocation and proof that the rubber was not grown on land deforested after 2020.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/2650.
Organic certification
Since 1 January 2025, organic products from Sri Lanka need certification by a control body the EU recognises for compliance with its own organic rules; recognition under the older equivalence route ended on 31 December 2024. official source The 31 December 2026 date often quoted applies to countries with their own equivalence agreements, such as India and the United States, not to Sri Lanka. The EU’s list of compliance control bodies was last updated in June 2026.
What you do: check that your organic certifier is listed for Sri Lanka in Annex I of Implementing Regulation 2021/1378, as amended.
Sources: Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Art. 57; Implementing Regulation 2026/1398.
New Zealand: dried pepper, chilli and paprika
A new food notice from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) applies from 1 February 2027. Each consignment of dried pepper, chilli or paprika is tested for Salmonella (none detected in 25 g) and total aflatoxins (no more than 0.015 mg/kg). trade press Cinnamon is not covered.
What you do: expect your New Zealand importer to ask for Salmonella and aflatoxin results on each lot of pepper or chilli. Test before you ship.
Source: MPI consultation and food notice.
Egypt: retail pack sizes for tea
A 2026 Ministry of Supply decision (No. 110) allows packed tea to be sold in Egypt only in fixed weights: 25, 40, 50, 100, 225, 250, 500 and 1,000 g, and 2 g tea bags in boxes of 10, 25 or multiples of 25. trade press Bulk tea for packing in Egypt is not affected.
What you do: if you ship prepacked tea to Egypt, use one of the allowed sizes.
Source: Almal News.
Pakistan: what is and is not covered
Pakistan’s standards authority (PSQCA) requires compulsory checks on imports of red chilli powder, ground turmeric, curry powder and refined coconut oil. official source Black tea, whole pepper and cinnamon are not on that list. A 2025 order (SRO 2443(I)/2025) changed which inspection agencies may carry out pre-shipment inspection from 1 February 2026; it did not add new products. trade press
Source: PSQCA compulsory import list.
United States: food traceability (FSMA 204)
The FDA’s food traceability rule was due in January 2026, but Congress directed the FDA not to enforce it before 20 July 2028. official source It covers foods on the FDA’s Food Traceability List, including fresh herbs and fresh tropical tree fruit. Dried spices and tea are not on the list, and the fruit entry excludes coconut.
Sources: FDA traceability rule; Food Traceability List.
Questions about a shipment
If a buyer has asked you for a document you have not seen before, our team in Colombo can help work out what is needed. Contattaci, or pubblica i Suoi prodotti so buyers in these markets can find you.