Geneva

Geneva, a grain-based gin spirit beverage

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 50 12 (Geneva) 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 an NOC validity regime for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk extended per CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus. State-government compliance under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule and designated food-import port restrictions under General Note 4(D) apply as additional clearance requirements administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

What this is

HSN code

2208 50 12

Chapter

22 · Beverages, spirits and vinegar

Primary regulator

FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (alcoholic beverage import regime)

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 (document code 911001) and ensure it is uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Confirm that the NOC for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk carries current validity as extended under CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025 and FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025.
CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025 · FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025
2
Upload the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge. Labelling deficiencies permissible for port rectification — including per-serve dietary contribution and expiry/best-before date — may be corrected by a single non-detachable sticker affixed at a customs bonded warehouse before inspection, without altering original label information.
CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022 · CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023 · FSSAI order dated 18-11-2022 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022
3
Confirm compliance with state-government mandatory requirements under General Note 12 of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, which govern the import of all alcoholic beverages under Chapter 22. Route the consignment through a designated food-import port as required under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022.
General Note 12 of ITC (HS) Schedule I · General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the FSSAI Import Licence as the sole clearance document and overlooking the state-government compliance layer under General Note 12 — which is a parallel, independently enforceable requirement that varies by destination state and can result in consignment detention even where the FSSAI licence is current. Additionally, importers relying on an NOC issued for alcoholic beverages must verify that the validity extension under CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus has been applied; an NOC whose prior validity window lapsed before that extension was notified requires separate confirmation of reinstatement before out-of-charge.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2208 50 12 require BIS certification?

No, Geneva falls outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers spirituous beverages under Chapter 22. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with state-government compliance requirements under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule as a concurrent overlay.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for Geneva imports?

The FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) must both be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the proper officer grants out-of-charge, per the CCR requirements referenced in CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus and CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus.

What happens if a labelling deficiency is discovered at the port?

Certain labelling deficiencies — including per-serve dietary contribution figures and expiry or best-before date information — may be rectified at a customs bonded warehouse by affixing a single non-detachable sticker next to the principal display panel before visual inspection, provided the manufacturer has supplied the corrected information and the authorised officer verifies it.

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