The article considers the development of the Russian-Chinese tea trade in the far East in the second half of the 19th century. The author shows the problems accompanying the process of trade relations. Carried out the analysis of documents of the late 19th century reflecting views on the future of Russian-Chinese trade in the far East in connection with the opening of traffic on the Trans-Siberian railway. It is proved that the main prospects of tea trade in Russia and China at the end of the 19th century were directly related to the exploitation of the Trans-Siberian railway.