Vodka

Vodka and spirituous beverages import compliance

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 60 00 (Vodka) 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 requirements under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule apply as a mandatory overlay, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administering the Restricted-import policy and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) overseeing customs clearance.

What this is

HSN code

2208 60 00

Chapter

22 · Beverages, spirits and vinegar

Primary regulator

FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (alcoholic beverages 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 a current FSSAI Import Licence before the bill of entry is filed and upload it in e-Sanchit under document code 911001. Simultaneously upload the Specimen Copy of Label under document code 0110FS; customs out-of-charge will not be granted unless both documents are verified in e-Sanchit.
FSSAI Import Licence (911001) · Specimen Copy of Label (0110FS) · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022
2
Confirm that the consignment enters through one of the designated food-import entry points and that all state-government requirements applicable to alcoholic beverages under Chapter 22 are satisfied before filing the bill of entry. Non-compliance with state-level conditions constitutes a breach of General Note 12 and triggers detention.
General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule · General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022
3
Ensure the FSSAI NOC validity is current, taking account of the extension granted for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk 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. Any labelling deficiencies must be rectified at customs bonded warehouses by affixing a single non-detachable sticker prior to visual inspection, in line with 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 bottleneck and overlooking the General Note 12 state-government overlay, which varies by destination state and can include state excise NOCs, label registration, or quota permits entirely independent of the FSSAI licence. A consignment arriving with a valid FSSAI Import Licence but lacking the applicable state-government compliance documentation faces detention and potential re-export, as customs cannot grant out-of-charge until all PGA and state-level conditions are satisfied.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 2208 60 00 require BIS certification?

No, vodka and other spirituous beverages under Chapter 22 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 state-government compliance requirements under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule as a mandatory overlay.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for vodka 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 customs out-of-charge, as required by CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022 and CBIC Instruction 09/2023-CUS dated 07-03-2023.

Has the FSSAI NOC validity for alcoholic beverages been extended?

Yes. CBIC Instruction 19/2025-CUS dated 20-06-2025 and the FSSAI order dated 13-06-2025 (F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI) extend NOC validity for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk; importers should verify the current validity window against those orders before dispatch.

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