This International Standard specifies methods of sampling instant tea in solid form (hereinafter referred to as"instant tea"). It applies to sampling from containers of all sizes. Separate methods are described for sampling at the point of manufacture, sampling at subsequent stages in the distribution chain and sampling of retail packs. In addition, for sampling at some of these locations, different procedures or special precautions are specified depending on whether the samples are to be used for examination of particle characteristics (for example bulk density, flowability, particle size) or compositional characteristics (for example moisture content, ash).