The Tea Road: Tea Smuggling In Russian Empire

Abstract

The article looks at how tea was smuggled out of the Russian Empire in the 19^th century, how it got into Kiyakhta and how it got into the country along the European and Asian borders, in countries such as England, Finland, Poland, Austria, Moldova, Germany, China and India.

The spread of smuggling of Kiakhta and Cantonese teas in the country is noted with the fact that they were cheaper than legal tea and therefore in great demand among the inhabitants of the empire. Following the legalisation of Cantonese tea within the empire, the trade in Kiakhta tea began to decline.

This article discusses the different types and methods of tea smuggling that took place in the Russian Empire. It also looks at a government decree that was put in place to try and stop this smuggling, and how the banderolization system was then introduced, with the impact this had on the smuggling trade being a key part of the article.

Finally, it should be noted that the government increased customs revenues with a view to reducing tea smuggling in the country.