Alcohol regulations in Gujarat

Licences needed

Potable spirits manufacturing licences are not granted. Only non-potable/industrial spirit distillation, Rectified Spirit licences, and Special Denatured Spirit licences are issued.

Authority

Directorate of Prohibition and Excise, Home Department, Government of Gujarat

Documents

Land revenue records, industrial clearance, factory layout, Pollution Control Board NOC, background verification of directors

Fees

Subject to state excise schedule for industrial alcohol facilities; potable spirit licences not available

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Only government-authorized wholesale distributors/bonded warehouses and licensed foreign liquor vendors (FL-I / FL-II permit shops located within designated star hotels, and FL-3 license holders in GIFT City)

Licences or registrations

Trade and Import Licence (FL-I / Vendor Licence FL-II), Import Pass under Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, and central DGFT Import Export Code (IEC) along with FSSAI Import License

Authority

Directorate of Prohibition and Excise (Gujarat) and FSSAI / CBIC (national)

Documents

IEC, FSSAI central license, state excise import pass application, supplier invoices, customs duty payment proof, warehouse storage bond

Fees

Varies by licence category and volume of spirit imported under state excise fee rules

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required: yes Process: Spirits imported into India must comply with national FSSAI approval and safety testing via FoSCoS portal. For sale via Gujarat's permit shops and GIFT City hospitality establishments, products and label…

All consignments entering Gujarat require an Import Pass and transit permit issued by the Directorate of Prohibition and Excise. Commercial movement must go directly into bonded warehouses or approved FL-II/FL-3 licensed premises…

Under Notification No. 14/2025-Customs (effective February 2025): Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on Bourbon whiskey (HS 2208 30 11 / 2208 30 91) is 50%; for other distilled spirits under HS 2208, customs duty is 100% (reduced from the statutory 150% tariff ceiling), plus Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) and applicable customs surcharges.

Potable alcoholic liquor for human consumption is constitutionally excluded from the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Gujarat levies state excise duty, countervailing duty, assessment fees on spirits, and Gujarat Value Added Tax…

No open commercial bottle shops or public bars exist. Retail distribution is strictly limited to authorized FL-II permit shops located within select 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotels, selling only to validated permit holders…

banned; direct-to-consumer e-commerce, online ordering, and home delivery of alcohol are completely prohibited across the state. The state government operates an official online portal (E-Permit portal) solely for permit…

Labels must comply with FSSAI Alcoholic Beverages Regulations: declaration of % ABV, standard drink logo/information, statutory health warnings ('CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH' and 'BE SAFE-DON'T DRINK AND…

Banned. Direct advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of alcoholic beverages are prohibited under the Cable Television Networks Rules, Consumer Protection Guidelines, and the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949. Surrogate advertising…

Governed federally by FSSAI Alcoholic Beverages Standards: distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy) must have a minimum alcoholic strength of 36.0% ABV up to a maximum of 50.0% ABV; neutral spirit/ENA must have a…

The entire state of Gujarat is a dry territory subject to the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949. Legal consumption is permitted only within private residences or private hotel rooms by personal permit holders (visitor, tourist, or…

December 20, 2025: Gujarat Home Department issued an amended liquor regulation framework for GIFT City, eliminating the requirement for temporary permits for external visitors from outside Gujarat and foreign nationals (allowing…

While statewide retail opportunities remain heavily constrained by Gujarat's strict prohibition framework, foreign spirit producers can target premium and super-premium segments through authorized bonded suppliers serving…

1. Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 and Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules
2. GIFT City Liquor Policy Updates and Gazette Notification (Dec 2025 / 2026)
3. GIFT City Wine and Dine Liquor Access Framework
4. Notification No. 14/2025-Customs, Ministry of Finance (India)
5. Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, FSSAI
6. Gujarat Directorate of Prohibition and Excise E-Permit System