Bourbon whiskey

Bourbon whiskey, imported whiskies bottled in origin or bulk

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 30 91 (Bourbon whiskey) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence and labelling compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 and FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. State-government compliance under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule and the 79-port designated-entry-point restriction under General Note 4(D) apply as additional clearance requirements. FSSAI NOC validity for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk has been extended per CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025.

What this is

HSN code

2208 30 91

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
Obtain an FSSAI Import Licence before filing the bill of entry and ensure the licence reflects the current NOC validity extended under FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025. Upload the FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) in e-Sanchit prior to customs out-of-charge.
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
2
Route the consignment through one of the 79 designated food-import entry points as mandated under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Labelling deficiencies permissible for port-level rectification under the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 must be corrected by affixing a single non-detachable sticker at a customs bonded warehouse before authorised-officer inspection.
General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022 · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022
3
Confirm compliance with all state-government requirements applicable to the import of alcoholic beverages under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule. State-specific licences, permits, or excise clearances must be in place before the consignment is released into the Domestic Tariff Area.
General Note 12 of ITC (HS) Schedule

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating FSSAI clearance as the sole gate and overlooking the state-government compliance layer under General Note 12. An FSSAI-cleared consignment released at port without the requisite state excise permit faces detention at the destination warehouse — a separate enforcement event outside customs jurisdiction. Additionally, importers of alcoholic beverages bottled in bulk should verify the current NOC validity window under FSSAI order dated 13-06-2025 before vessel departure, as validity extensions are time-bound and a lapsed NOC triggers re-inspection at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2208 30 91 require BIS certification?

No, bourbon whiskey and imported whiskies are not within 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 state-government compliance under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule applying as a concurrent requirement.

Has the FSSAI NOC validity for alcoholic beverages been extended, and what documents confirm this at the bill of entry?

Yes. CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025 and FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025 extend the NOC validity for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk; the current FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) reflecting the extended validity must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.

Which labelling deficiencies can be rectified at port, and how must rectification be carried out?

Rectifiable deficiencies under the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 — including per-serve dietary contribution percentages and expiry date presentation — may be corrected at a customs bonded warehouse by affixing a single non-detachable sticker next to the principal display panel, without altering the original label, before the authorised officer's inspection per CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: FSSAI / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.