In 2011, the European Commission issued a new regulation that imposes special control measures on tea imports from China. The new regulation went into effect on October 1st.

The directive calls for stricter examination of China's tea exports to the EU. Chinese tea may enter the European Union only through specified ports. As well, all goods must have conventional entry documents to enter designated ports.

Additionally, 10 percent of the goods should have on-site inspection and sampling tests for pesticide residues and other items. Regulations are also being imposed on the samples which have no weight limit. And finally importers will afford all of the fees of the relevant documents prepared for testing and entry.

(CNTV April 9, 2012)