Distillers Alcohol regulations in Chhattisgarh
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Chhattisgarh, India, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched March 2025.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in March 2025 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 Spotted something out of date?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 / dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- 21
- Legal purchase age
- 21
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Distillery/Bottling Licence under the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915 and Chhattisgarh Distillery Rules; FSSAI Central Licence; Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB).
- Authority
- Excise Commissioner, Commercial Tax (Excise) Department, Government of Chhattisgarh.
- Documents
- Application with business details, MOA/AOA or registered partnership deed, identity/address proofs of directors/partners, land title/lease deeds, approved site layout blueprints, CECB pollution clearance, Fire Department NOC, local municipal NOC, latest income tax returns.
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Holders of valid FL-10A (IMFL) and FL-10B (Bottled-in-Origin/FMFL) wholesale import licenses who have executed rate contracts with the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).
- Licences or registrations
- FL-10A / FL-10B Wholesale License and Import Passes/Permits issued per consignment.
- Authority
- Office of the Excise Commissioner, Commercial Tax (Excise) Department, Chhattisgarh.
- Documents
- Copy of FL-10A/FL-10B license, Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership deed, GST registration, PAN card, FSSAI license, valid label approval from Chhattisgarh Excise, Manufacturer Consent/Authorization letter, rate contract agreement with CSMCL.
- Fees
- Rs. 59,000 (Rs. 50,000 + 18% GST) registration fee plus Rs. 10,00,000 security deposit for FL-10A/FL-10B rate offer registration.
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Annual application to the Excise Commissioner for brand and label registration, followed by annual rate contract submission to the CSMCL for supply into state beverage warehouses (CSBC godowns). Cartons and…
Import rules
All potable spirits imported into the state must be channelized through the state wholesale monopoly via Chhattisgarh State Beverages Corporation Limited (CSBC) godowns for distribution by CSMCL. Shipments require import…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
150% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) ad valorem on spirits under HS code 2208 (national tariff).
Excise and taxes
State Excise Duty and Countervailing Duty (CVD) levied per proof litre/case based on declared landing cost slabs; spirits for human consumption are outside the scope of national GST; state VAT (previously 8.5%) has been…
Retail and distribution
Exclusive state government monopoly for off-premise retail. All country liquor and foreign liquor retail shops (including premium liquor vends) are owned and operated by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited…
Online sale and delivery
Restricted / banned. Home delivery via the CSMCL mobile app/website was temporarily permitted during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (max 5 litres), but commercial online liquor sale and third-party doorstep delivery are not…
Labelling
Labels must include: Brand name, country of origin, name and address of manufacturer/bottler, alcohol content (% v/v), batch number, date of manufacture, net quantity, Retail Selling Price (RSP/MRP fixed by the State), FSSAI…
Advertising
Banned. Section 23-A of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915 prohibits direct advertising of liquor. Surrogates, sponsorships, and direct promotion are strictly prohibited across broadcast, print, and electronic media pursuant to…
Legal definitions of spirits
Governed by FSSAI Alcoholic Beverages Regulations: Distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy) must contain a minimum alcohol strength of 36.0% ABV (standard IMFL marketed at 42.8% ABV / 75° Proof). Neutral spirit/ENA…
Dry or restricted areas
Dry areas exist in designated Fifth Schedule tribal areas where local Gram Sabhas hold statutory authority under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) to restrict or prohibit the opening of liquor vends within…
Recent changes
Reaffirmation and renewal of the 100% state-run retail model for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, keeping all retail stores under CSMCL management. Implementation of tenders for AI/ML-enabled supply chain intelligence, digital tracking,…
Opportunities for exporters
Foreign distillers can enter the market by partnering with an authorized FL-10B licensee to participate in CSMCL's annual rate contract tenders. Procurement via the state monopoly ensures assured payments and access to state-run…
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) Official Portal
- CSMCL Rate Offer for IMFL/FMFL/Beer Supply (FY 2024-25)
- The Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915 (Bare Act)
- Notification on Management of Retail Shops of Indian/Foreign Liquor 2025-26
- Aabkari Times - Tax Policy and VAT Abolition in Chhattisgarh
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