Liqueurs

Liqueurs and cordials for import into India

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 2208 70 91 (Liqueurs) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with consignments admitted only through designated food-import ports per 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 mandatory overlay administered by respective state authorities. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) policy conditions govern the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

2208 70 91

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 and ensure both the FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) are uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Customs out-of-charge will not be granted until both documents are verified in e-Sanchit.
FSSAI Import Licence · document codes 911001 and 0110FS · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022
2
Confirm compliance with all state-government requirements applicable to the port-of-entry state under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule for alcoholic beverages classified under Chapter 22. Non-compliance with state-specific conditions constitutes a breach of ITC (HS) import policy independent of FSSAI clearance.
General Note 12 of ITC (HS) Schedule · General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022
3
For consignments of alcoholic beverages bottled in origin or in bulk, confirm the FSSAI NOC validity is current per the extension notified in FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025, and comply with CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025. Labelling deficiencies within the rectifiable category under FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 may be corrected at customs bonded warehouses before inspection, by affixing a single non-detachable sticker 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

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 layer under General Note 12. A consignment may hold a valid FSSAI licence and clear the designated food-import port, yet remain liable to detention or confiscation if the destination-state's excise or import conditions are not satisfied before the goods are released into trade. Verify state-specific excise import permissions before the purchase order is placed, not at the port.

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 70 91 require BIS certification?

No, liqueurs and cordials 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 concurrent state-government compliance requirements under General Note 12 of the ITC (HS) Schedule.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for a liqueur consignment?

The FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) must both be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge; the proper officer will verify these for PGA-facilitated bills not routed through the PGA for NOC.

Has the FSSAI NOC validity for alcoholic beverages been extended, and where is the current position confirmed?

Yes. FSSAI order F.No.TIC-b05/1/2021-Imports FSSAI dated 13-06-2025, read with CBIC Instruction 19/2025-Cus dated 20-06-2025, notifies the extension of NOC validity for alcoholic beverages bottled in origin and in bulk; importers must confirm the current validity window against these instruments before shipment.

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