Distillers Alcohol regulations in Bihar
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Bihar, 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Full prohibition
- Legal drinking age
- Not applicable (consumption is illegal for all ages under total prohibition; historically 21 under the repealed Bihar Excise Act, 1915)
- Legal purchase age
- Not applicable (purchase is illegal for all ages under total prohibition; historically 21)
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- None available (manufacturing of potable liquor and distilled spirits is strictly prohibited)
- Authority
- Prohibition, Excise & Registration Department, Government of Bihar
- Documents
- Not applicable
- Fees
- Not applicable
- Time to obtain
- Not applicable
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- None (commercial import of potable spirits into the state is completely banned)
- Licences or registrations
- Not applicable
- Authority
- Prohibition, Excise & Registration Department, Government of Bihar
- Documents
- Not applicable
- Fees
- Not applicable
- Time to obtain
- Not applicable
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: Not applicable (commercial brand and label registrations for potable spirits are defunct due to total state prohibition; FSSAI sets national safety standards, but commercial distribution within Bihar is…
Import rules
Import, transport, transit, accumulation, and possession of potable distilled spirits are criminal offenses under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. Inter-state transit passing through Bihar to other states or Nepal…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
At the national level, Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on spirits (HS 2208) is 150% ad valorem; however, commercial customs clearance into Bihar for domestic consumption is banned.
Excise and taxes
No state excise duty or VAT is levied on potable spirits because commercial sales are prohibited. Under the Indian Constitution (List II, Entry 54), potable alcohol remains outside the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
Retail and distribution
Completely prohibited. No private retail outlets, state-run monopolies, hotels, clubs, or licensed bars are permitted to sell or serve potable liquor anywhere in the state.
Online sale and delivery
Banned (strictly illegal and subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and confiscation)
Labelling
Commercial sale is prohibited. Under national FSSAI regulations (Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018), potable spirits must carry mandatory statutory warnings ('CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO…
Advertising
Completely banned. Direct and surrogate advertising, marketing, and sponsorship of alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, and national regulations (Cable Television Networks…
Legal definitions of spirits
Potable spirits may not be produced or sold in Bihar. National standards set by the FSSAI and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) prescribe a minimum alcoholic strength of 36% ABV for distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, brandy,…
Dry or restricted areas
The entire state of Bihar (all 38 districts) is a 100% dry jurisdiction, with no exemptions for tourists, hospitality venues, or special economic zones.
Recent changes
Continued enforcement under the amended Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, maintaining compoundable fines (₹2,000–₹5,000) for first-time personal consumption while imposing strict non-bailable penalties, property sealing, and…
Opportunities for exporters
There are zero market opportunities for international or domestic exporters of potable distilled spirits in Bihar due to total prohibition. Commercial opportunities are limited strictly to equipment and industrial enzymes for…
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