Cordials

Liqueurs and cordials, spirituous beverages

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 70 12 (Cordials) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence and food-safety compliance 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 concurrent overlay for all alcoholic beverages classified under Chapter 22.

What this is

HSN code

2208 70 12

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
State government compliance documentation

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 the FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and upload it in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Upload the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) simultaneously; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until both documents are verified in e-Sanchit.
CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022
2
Comply with state-government mandatory requirements under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule before the consignment is released into the Domestic Tariff Area. Route the consignment only through a designated food-import entry point per General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022.
General Note 12 of ITC (HS) Schedule · General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022
3
Ensure the FSSAI NOC validity for alcoholic beverages — whether bottled in origin or in bulk — is current and compliant with the extended-validity framework. Verify the NOC currency before consignment dispatch in accordance with CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus and the FSSAI order 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

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the FSSAI Import Licence as the sole clearance gate and overlooking the state-government compliance obligations under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule, which vary by destination state and can trigger detention at the distribution stage even after customs out-of-charge is granted. Labelling deficiencies that fall outside the rectifiable categories under FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 and the CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus framework cannot be remedied at port and result in consignment rejection rather than conditional release.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2208 70 12 require BIS certification?

No, cordials and liqueurs 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 obligations under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule applying as a concurrent overlay.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for cordials at the bill of entry?

The FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) must both be uploaded in e-Sanchit; out-of-charge is withheld until the proper officer verifies both documents per CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs.

Does the FSSAI NOC validity extension for alcoholic beverages apply to cordials imported in bulk as well as bottled in origin?

Yes. CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025 and the FSSAI order dated 13-06-2025 address the extension of NOC validity for alcoholic beverages both bottled in origin and in bulk, and importers must confirm current validity before consignment departure.

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