Tea - where do I begin?

[Marissa92]

Hi all

I have a few questions - I hope this is the right place to post and if not please do let me know.

I am a tea blender looking to start selling my teas however I don't know what documentation/legal requirements I need.
This is what I know so far:
1. I need to register with my local council as a good business. That's simple and I know what I'm doing with regards to food and hygiene policies, labelling, weights and measures etc.
2. To sell in market stalls I need public liability insurance.

This is what I need to know:
1. I have a full time job, as I am just beginning and don't plan to make huge amounts of money, do I need to register with the tax office and get a vat number/fill out yearly tax returns etc. Or is that only needed once you start earning a certain amount.
2. Public liability insurance - do I need a special type of insurance as it's a food product (I am only mixing dried ingredients there are no wet products) or will normal crafters style public liability cover me? I'm on a budget and don't know where to begin.

The big one:
Do I need any other legal documentation/registrations etc to be able to start selling my products? I will be selling these online and in market stalls/craft fairs.

I think that's all my questions for now and I thank you all in advance! I look forward to hearing for you all.

Marissa

P.s. Please note none of my ingredients will be cooked or are grown/dried by myself nor am I making any medical claims. They are all from registered/certified suppliers.

 

[GraemeL]

Assuming tea in this form is a food or drink, see

https://www.gov.uk/food-labelling-and-packaging/overview
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/startingup
https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/tea/buyer-requirements/


You should have product liability insurance as well as public. In case you cause someone to be ill! Note that whatever your suppliers might say, it is you who will be the first call for liability should anything go wrong.

It will be tough as there is a lot of established competition and tea is very hard to differentiate without getting a lot of people to taste.

G

 

[Marissa92]

Assuming tea in this form is a food or drink, see



You should have product liability insurance as well as public. In case you cause someone to be ill! Note that whatever your suppliers might say, it is you who will be the first call for liability should anything go wrong.

It will be tough as there is a lot of established competition and tea is very hard to differentiate without getting a lot of people to taste.

G

Thank you very much for replying.

Yes the business is good and drink - its hand blended/flavoured loose leaf teas. Apologies for not being so clear.

That third link was useful as I've never seen that one before and was interesting to read about fair trade.

I will be using companies who supply base ingredients to other well known tea businesses in the U.K. and US but yes I completely agree the responsibility does fall on me so yes product liability is a good idea thank you.

I understand it isn't going to be easy (what business is? If you know do share!!) and yes there is competition, I'm aiming for the locally crafted thing but don't really know where to start with the legal and registration things past registering as food business/premises

I'm mainly unsure if I need to register for VAT and as self employed even though it's a second business and I'm employed full time.

Thanks again.

 

[SteveHa]

You only need to register for VAT if your turnover exceeds the registration threshold (£83,000). Below that and you're clear.

The Finance Act dictates that you must register for self-assessment if you have income giving rise to a tax liability not taxed at source. Since you will probably be caught you may as well register.

 

[AggieB]

Hi all

I have a few questions - I hope this is the right place to post and if not please do let me know.

I am a tea blender looking to start selling my teas however I don't know what documentation/legal requirements I need.
This is what I know so far:
1. I need to register with my local council as a good business. That's simple and I know what I'm doing with regards to food and hygiene policies, labelling, weights and measures etc.
2. To sell in market stalls I need public liability insurance.

This is what I need to know:
1. I have a full time job, as I am just beginning and don't plan to make huge amounts of money, do I need to register with the tax office and get a vat number/fill out yearly tax returns etc. Or is that only needed once you start earning a certain amount.
2. Public liability insurance - do I need a special type of insurance as it's a food product (I am only mixing dried ingredients there are no wet products) or will normal crafters style public liability cover me? I'm on a budget and don't know where to begin.

The big one:
Do I need any other legal documentation/registrations etc to be able to start selling my products? I will be selling these online and in market stalls/craft fairs.

I think that's all my questions for now and I thank you all in advance! I look forward to hearing for you all.

Marissa

P.s. Please note none of my ingredients will be cooked or are grown/dried by myself nor am I making any medical claims. They are all from registered/certified suppliers.

Hey Marissa .

I know your post was written ages ago but have you managed to start your business please? If so would you be able to point me in the right direction please as I am myself looking into selling herbal teas too.
I have been interested in herbs for over 10 years now and know quite a lot about it but when it comes to legislation / law etc I don’t really know where to start.
Thanks x

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have been interested in herbs for over 10 years now and know quite a lot about it but when it comes to legislation / law etc I don’t really know where to start.

Please start a new thread and ask your questions - we will all help!