Gin

Gin and Geneva, imported spirituous beverages

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 50 91 (Gin) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with consignments restricted to designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. State-government compliance under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule applies as a mandatory overlay for all alcoholic beverages imported under Chapter 22. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) policy controls govern labelling rectification and NOC-validity extensions.

What this is

HSN code

2208 50 91

Chapter

22 · Beverages, spirits and vinegar

Primary regulator

FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

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 and ensure the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) and the FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) are uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed. The proper officer will verify these uploads prior to granting out-of-charge where the bill has not been routed through FSSAI for NOC.
FSSAI Import Licence document code 911001 · Specimen Copy of Label document code 0110FS · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022
2
Ensure the consignment enters only through one of the designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Additionally, confirm compliance with state-government mandatory requirements applicable to alcoholic beverages under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule before filing the bill of entry.
General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022 · General Note 12 of ITC (HS) Schedule
3
Verify the current validity of the FSSAI NOC, particularly for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk, in light of the most recent extension of NOC validity. Labelling deficiencies permissible for rectification at the customs bonded warehouse must be corrected by affixing a single non-detachable sticker next to the principal display panel, without altering original label information.
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 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the FSSAI Import Licence as the sole clearance requirement and overlooking the state-government compliance obligations under General Note 12 — which are independent of the FSSAI regime and vary by destination state. A consignment with a current FSSAI Import Licence and fully compliant labelling remains liable to detention at the port of destination if state-level import permissions, excise licences, or distribution approvals have not been secured in advance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2208 50 91 require BIS certification?

No, gin and spirituous beverages under Chapter 22 are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with mandatory state-government compliance under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule as an additional overlay.

What document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for gin imports?

The Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) and the FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge, per the customs verification protocol for PGA-facilitated bills not routed through FSSAI for NOC.

Has the validity of the FSSAI NOC for alcoholic beverages been extended?

Yes. CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20 June 2025 and FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13 June 2025 extended the validity of the NOC for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk; importers must confirm the current validity window before filing the bill of entry.

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