Alcohol regulations in Arunachal Pradesh
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Arunachal Pradesh, India, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in October 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- 21
- Legal purchase age
- 21
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Distillery / Brewery / Bottling Licence, Factory Licence, Consent to Establish & Consent to Operate from State Pollution Control Board, FSSAI Central/State Manufacturing Licence, Local Municipal / Trade Licence
- Authority
- Department of Tax, Excise and Narcotics, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
- Documents
- Land ownership deed or lease agreement, site blueprint/layout maps approved by District Collector and Excise Officers, Police Verification Certificate, no-criminal-record affidavit, tax clearance certificates, entity registration documents, Fire NOC, and Pollution Control Board consent
- Fees
- Application and licence fees vary by capacity and category, alongside earnest money deposits (EMD) typically starting from ₹3,00,000 as per state excise schedules
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Licensed bonded warehouses and wholesale licensees holding valid excise authorization, or approved institutional/defence entities
- Licences or registrations
- Import Permit for Foreign Liquor (IPFL), Import Permit for Bulk Spirits (IP-BS), wholesale vend licence, and registered Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) for direct international imports
- Authority
- Department of Tax, Excise and Narcotics (administered via the e-Abkari portal)
- Documents
- Import permit application form, brand and label approval certificates, purchase orders, pass/NOC from exporting state or customs clearance bill of entry, tax clearance certificate, and proof of upfront fee payment
- Fees
- Import Permit (IP) fee of ₹150 per case for packaged foreign liquor, plus prevailing state excise import duty and transit permit fees
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Manufacturers or brand owners must apply annually through the e-Abkari portal for Brand Registration and Label Approval, submit cost breakdown cards for Maximum Retail Price (MRP) fixation, and ensure…
Import rules
All consignments moving into Arunachal Pradesh require electronic Import Permits (IPFL/IPBS) via the e-Abkari portal and advance payment of state excise duty at the point of entry. Consignments must carry digital transit passes,…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
At national level: 150% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) plus Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on CIF value under HS 2208; plus state-level import fee (₹150/case) and state excise duty upon entry into Arunachal Pradesh.
Excise and taxes
State excise duty levied per case / London Proof Litre (LPL) based on declared slabs/MRP; Value Added Tax (VAT) of approximately 20% to 22% applied at wholesale/retail stages; local administrative fees/infrastructure cesses where…
Retail and distribution
Privately owned licensed retail outlets ('off-shops') and licensed bars, hotels, and clubs (on-premise). Operating hours are established by local District Deputy Commissioners (typically closing at 5:00 PM or up to 11:00 PM…
Online sale and delivery
banned
Labelling
Must display statutory health warnings in English ('CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH' and 'BE SAFE - DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE'), brand name, product category, ABV % volume, net volume (ml), batch number, manufacturing…
Advertising
Banned. Direct advertising of alcoholic beverages is prohibited across print, television, radio, and digital channels under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, ASCI code, and Consumer Protection Act guidelines;…
Legal definitions of spirits
Regulated under Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018: distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy) must have a minimum ABV of 36% (typically standardized commercially at 42.8% ABV / 75° proof).
Dry or restricted areas
Mandatory state-wide dry days on national holidays (Republic Day on January 26, Independence Day on August 15, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on October 2) and during general or local elections. Sales are prohibited within mandated…
Recent changes
Full digitization and enforcement of online modules on the e-Abkari portal for Import Permits (IPFL), Export Permits (EPFL), and Bulk Spirit (ENA) permits. Rollout of the Electronic Verification Certificate (EVC) and Integrated…
Opportunities for exporters
High per capita consumption of spirits in the state creates a receptive market for premium distilled spirits, primarily accessible by partnering with local bonded warehouse licensees who navigate e-Abkari digital permit workflows.
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