Distillers Alcohol regulations in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched September 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in September 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Manufactory Licence / Letter of Intent under Andaman and Nicobar Islands Excise Regulation, 2012
- Authority
- Administrator / Excise Commissioner, Andaman and Nicobar Administration
- Documents
- not confirmed
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- State monopoly: Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) holds the exclusive Form 'C' licence for wholesale and retail vending/import of IMFL, foreign liquor (BIO), and beer. Armed Forces Unit Run Canteens import under Form B3 / CSD allocations.
- Licences or registrations
- Form 'C' Wholesale/Retail Licence and transport permits/import passes per consignment
- Authority
- Office of the Deputy Commissioner (Excise) / Excise Commissioner, A&N Administration
- Documents
- FSSAI import clearance/licence, Certificate of Analysis from country of origin / recognized laboratory, commercial invoices, transport permit, and consignment manifests
- Fees
- Consignment-based import permits and per-bottle/case excise licence fees
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Manufacturers or authorized importers must register each brand and pack size annually with the Excise Department via the centralized online portal (excise.andamannicobar.gov.in) and obtain label approvals…
Import rules
All commercial distilled spirits brought into the territory must be consigned through ANIIDCO as the exclusive wholesale importer. Consignments must carry valid import/transport permits issued by the Deputy Commissioner (Excise),…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
At the Indian national customs boundary, distilled spirits (HS 2208) are subject to a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 50% plus an Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) of 100%, creating a combined effective customs duty of 150% ad valorem on CIF value.
Excise and taxes
Under the UT Excise Policy and 2012 Regulation, excise licence duties are levied on specific slabs per bottle (ranging from ₹14 to ₹100 per bottle across size categories, e.g., ₹58 to ₹72 per 750ml bottle based on price class,…
Retail and distribution
State monopoly for off-premise sales operated exclusively by ANIIDCO through 18 retail outlets across the islands. On-premise sales are permitted in licensed hotel/resort bars (Form B1) and standalone bars/restaurants (Form B2).…
Online sale and delivery
banned; direct-to-consumer delivery and online retailing of alcohol are not permitted.
Labelling
Labels must comply with national FSSAI (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018 and UT rules: product name, ABV (% vol), net volume, FSSAI logo and licence number, batch number, date of manufacture/bottling, manufacturer details,…
Advertising
Banned; direct and surrogate advertising, sponsorships, and commercial promotional displays of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited under national regulations (Cable Television Networks Rules, Consumer Protection Act…
Legal definitions of spirits
Governed by FSSAI Alcoholic Beverages Regulations, 2018: distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, brandy, vodka) must have an ABV between 36.0% and 50.0% (with standard commercial IMFL bottled at 42.8% ABV / 75° proof). Extra Neutral…
Dry or restricted areas
Tribal Reserve areas designated under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 (including the Jarawa reserve and indigenous zones in Nicobar) are complete exclusion/dry zones where…
Recent changes
In September 2026, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration notified amendments to the Excise Policy, 2013, extending the validity of specified excise licences to three years, setting refined eligibility criteria for brand…
Opportunities for exporters
Because the islands have no local commercial distilleries and experience steady tourist demand, international spirit producers can access this captive market by registering their brands through the UT's new digital excise portal…
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- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Excise Regulation, 2012 (No. 3 of 2012)
- ANIIDCO - IMFL Trading Activities & Retail Network
- Excise Policy for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Terms & Conditions)
- Excise Department Opens Online Portal for Registration of Liquor Brands (July 2026)
- Amendments to Excise Policy 2013 and Digital Portal Rollout (The Daily Telegrams, Sept 2026)
- ANIIDCO Liquor Stores Get Two Extra Hours of Operation, Weekly Off Abolished (Nicobar Times, March 2026)
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