Alcohol regulations in Andhra Pradesh

Licences needed

Distillery License (Form DM-1 / DM-2 / DM-2 MGO), FSSAI Central Food Business Operator License, State Pollution Control Board Consent (CTE/CTO), and local municipal approvals.

Authority

Andhra Pradesh Prohibition and Excise Department (Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise).

Documents

Entity incorporation documents, title/lease deed of site, technical site and factory layout plans, water/effluent disposal approvals, police clearance/affidavits of non-conviction, and financial solvency certificates.

Fees

Varies by production capacity and license category; prescribed under AP Distillery Rules.

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Only Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited (APBCL) holds the exclusive monopoly/privilege for wholesale trade, importation, and distribution into the state; Canteen Stores Department (CSD) is permitted for military supplies.

Licences or registrations

Import Permit in Form L-1 (per shipment/consignment), prior brand/label approval, and rate-contract registration with APBCL.

Authority

Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and APBCL.

Documents

Import authorization/permit application (Form L-1), approved label registration certificate, proof of excise duty/fee payment challans, Bill of Entry, and manufacturer authorization.

Fees

Non-refundable permit fees and import duties per bulk/proof litre as notified in the annual excise policy.

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required: yes Process: Manufacturers or authorized importers must apply for label and brand registration in Form L-1A to the Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise before importation or sale. Labels must also conform to national…

All commercial spirits imported into Andhra Pradesh must funnel through APBCL as the wholesale monopoly of record. Consignments require shipment-specific import permits (Form L-1), transit passes, prepayment of countervailing…

At the national customs level (HS 2208): 150% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) statutory rate (or effective 50% BCD + 100% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess / AIDC under Notifications 11/2021-Customs as amended; reduced rates apply to specific spirits like Bourbon or under trade pacts); exempted from Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS); alcoholic beverages for human consumption remain outside national GST.

Spirits are exempt from Indian GST and governed under state fiscal jurisdiction. Andhra Pradesh levies State Excise Duty / Countervailing Duty (slab-based per bulk litre or proof litre), Special Excise Cess / Retail Excise Tax…

Private retail shops (3,736 licensed standalone outlets allotted via lottery/renewal), 12 licensed premium retail stores, and on-premise licensed bars (Form 2B) and beach shacks. Operating hours for retail shops are typically…

banned; direct-to-consumer online ordering and home delivery of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Andhra Pradesh.

Labels must include brand name, net volume in ml, alcoholic strength (% ABV / proof), batch number, month and year of manufacture, manufacturer name and address, APBCL maximum retail price (MRP) band, mandatory health warnings in…

Direct and surrogate advertising of alcoholic beverages is banned under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, the Consumer Protection Act (Central Consumer Protection Authority Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading…

Governed by national FSSAI (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations: Distilled spirits including whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and brandy must contain a minimum alcohol by volume (ABV) of 36% and maximum 50% (standard Indian IMFL strength is…

Tirumala (the temple town in Tirupati district) is a total dry zone where possession, transportation, sale, and consumption of alcohol are strictly illegal. In addition, retail liquor shops and bars are prohibited within 100…

October 2024: State government dismantled the 2019-2024 state-run retail monopoly and privatized retail liquor sales, auctioning 3,736 retail shop licenses via open draw/lottery for the 2024-2026 cycle. October 2024: Introduction…

The privatization of retail shops and the establishment of dedicated premium retail stores create clear access for imported spirits brands to reach affluent consumers. However, foreign exporters must navigate APBCL's mandatory…

1. Andhra Pradesh Excise Policy 2024-26 Notification - The New Indian Express
2. Andhra Pradesh Excise Shops Policy 2026-27 (GO Ms 579) - The Hindu
3. Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 & Wholesale Monopoly Provisions - Indian Kanoon
4. Andhra Pradesh Foreign Liquor & IMFL Label Registration & Import Rules - Indian Kanoon
5. Customs Tariff & Import Duties on Spirits (HS 2208) - CBIC / Ministry of Finance