Geneva

Geneva, a juniper-flavoured grain spirit

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 50 92 (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, and the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017. 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 92

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 a current FSSAI Import Licence and upload it in e-Sanchit under document code 911001 before filing the bill of entry. Also upload the specimen copy of label under document code 0110FS; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until both documents are verified in e-Sanchit.
FSSAI Import Licence document code 911001; Specimen copy of label document code 0110FS; CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022
2
Confirm that the FSSAI NOC for alcoholic beverages (bottled in origin and in bulk) is within its current extended validity period before shipment. Ensure labelling meets FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 requirements; rectifiable deficiencies 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.
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 order dated 18-11-2022
3
Route the consignment only through a designated food-import entry point under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Additionally, confirm the applicable state-government licences and permits required under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule before the consignment departs the port of loading.
General Note 4(D), Schedule I, ITC (HS) 2022; General Note 12, ITC (HS) Schedule

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is underestimating the state-government compliance layer: General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule independently requires satisfaction of every state's mandatory licensing and permit conditions for imported alcoholic beverages, and non-compliance at the state level can result in consignment detention even after FSSAI and CBIC clearances are in order. Additionally, importers frequently overlook FSSAI NOC validity extensions for alcoholic beverages — the most recent extension under CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus and the FSSAI order dated 13 June 2025 must be confirmed to be current before the bill of entry is filed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2208 50 92 require BIS certification?

No, Geneva and other gin-family spirits 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 FSSAI Import Licence, FSSAI NOC, and state-government compliance obligations under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule.

What document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

The FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the specimen copy of label (document code 0110FS) must both be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge; the proper officer will verify these documents on PGA-facilitated bills.

Can labelling deficiencies on Geneva consignments be rectified at the port?

Yes, specified rectifiable labelling deficiencies under FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 — including per-serve RDA contribution and expiry date additions supplied by the manufacturer — may be corrected at a customs bonded warehouse by a single non-detachable sticker, per CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023 and the FSSAI order dated 18-11-2022.

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