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Other

Grape-distillate spirits, other (brandy, grappa, marc spirits)

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 20 99 (other spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence and labelling compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017. Consignments are permitted only through designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, with state-government compliance under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule applying as a mandatory overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

What this is
HSN code
2208 20 99
Chapter
22 · Beverages, spirits and vinegar
Primary regulator
FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017
Customs documentation
  • Import Licence from FSSAI
  • Specimen copy of label from FSSAI
  • Compliance documentation from State government
Applicable Partner Government Agencies
FSSAIFSSAI·Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Obtain a current FSSAI Import Licence and ensure the specimen copy of the label complies with FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Both documents — FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) — must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed and before out-of-charge is granted.
    CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022; FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022
  2. 2
    Route the consignment through a designated food-import entry point under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Additionally, ensure compliance with state-government requirements under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule, which governs all imports of alcoholic beverages classified under Chapter 22.
    General Note 4(D) and General Note 12 of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022
  3. 3
    Confirm FSSAI NOC validity status in line with CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025 and the FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025, which extended the validity of NOCs for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk. Any labelling deficiency eligible for rectification must be corrected at the customs bonded warehouse by affixing a single non-detachable sticker before inspection, per CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023.
    CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025; FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025; CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating FSSAI clearance as the sole gateway and overlooking the state-government compliance layer under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule. Each destination state may impose its own import-permit or excise-NOC requirement for alcoholic beverages, and arrival at the designated food-import port with a current FSSAI licence but without the requisite state-government authorisation results in detention of the consignment, with demurrage accruing until state-level clearance is produced.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 2208 20 99 require BIS certification?
No, spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a concurrent state-government compliance requirement under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule.
What labelling deficiencies may be rectified at the port for this tariff line?
Per CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023 and the FSSAI order dated 18-11-2022, specified information — including per-serve percentage contribution to recommended dietary allowance and date of expiry alongside best-before date — may be rectified at the customs bonded warehouse by affixing a single non-detachable sticker next to the principal display panel, without altering the original label.
Has the validity of the FSSAI NOC for alcoholic beverages been extended?
Yes. CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025 and the FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025 extended the validity of NOCs for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk; importers should verify the current extended-validity window against their NOC issue date before filing the bill of entry.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: FSSAI / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
Related
ChapterChapter 22 · Beverages, spirits and vinegarHSNUNDENATURED ETHYL ALCOHOL OF AN ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH BY VOLUME OF LESS THAN 80% VOL.; SPI-RITS, LIQUEURS AND OTHER SPIRITUOUS BEVERAGESHSNSpirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc: