Alcohol regulations in Manipur

Licences needed

Distillery/Brewery licence, Compounding and Blending licence, Bottling licence, and FSSAI Central Food Safety Licence.

Authority

Excise Commissioner / State Government of Manipur; Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Documents

Prescribed application form, factory layout and architectural plans, environmental clearance from State Pollution Control Board, company registration documents, authorized signatory identification, technical equipment specifications, and storage facility plans.

Fees

Application fee of Rs. 2,00,000 for a new Distillery/Brewery licence; Rs. 1,00,000 application fee for a Microbrewery licence or Compounding/Blending licence; annual operational licence fees as fixed by the State Government.

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL), licensed bonded warehouses, and wholesale licensees holding valid permits issued by the Excise Commissioner.

Licences or registrations

Profile Registration (Form-A) with the Excise Department, Bonded Warehouse licence, Wholesale licence, and Consignment-wise Import Permits/Passes.

Authority

Office of the Commissioner of Excise, Government of Manipur.

Documents

Application Form-A, Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership Deed, authorization/power of attorney, brand & label registration approval, tax clearances, factory licence, and FSSAI licence.

Fees

Non-refundable profile processing fee of Rs. 5,000; Profile Registration/Renewal fee of Rs. 5,00,000; Application fee for Bonded Warehouse licence Rs. 2,00,000; Wholesale licence application fee Rs. 1,00,000; Import permit pass fee: Rs. 800 per case (12x750ml) for Scotch Whisky; Rs. 600 per case for Vodka, Gin, Brandy, and Rum; Rs. 500 per case for Wine; Rs. 400 per case for Beer; plus Rs. 5,000 general import permit fee.

Time to obtain

Profile registration processed within 1 month (fees refundable if not approved within a month); import passes typically take 1 to 3 weeks.

Required: yes Process: Manufacturers or importers must submit a brand and label registration application under Rules 355–358 of the Manipur Excise Rules at least one month before manufacturing or marketing foreign liquor in…

Importation of spirits must be routed through the state distribution corporation (MSBCL) or designated licensed bonded warehouses. Each shipment requires an import permit issued by the Collector/Excise Commissioner upon…

Spirits imported into India (HS 2208) attract a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 50% plus an Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) of 100%, resulting in an effective total central import customs duty rate of 150% ad valorem on CIF value.

Alcoholic liquor for human consumption is excluded from GST under Article 366(12A) of the Constitution of India. Manipur levies state excise duty ranging from Rs. 600 to Rs. 6,000 per case of 12 bottles based on declared price…

Regulated distribution system where wholesale procurement is operated by the state undertaking Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL). Retail sale is permitted via licensed MSBCL retail outlets, licensed private…

banned

Labels must include brand name, alcoholic strength (% ABV), net volume in ml, manufacturer and bottler details, batch number, ingredients, 'FOR SALE IN MANIPUR ONLY', statutory health warnings ('CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS…

Direct and surrogate advertising or sponsorship of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, the Consumer Protection (Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading…

Products must comply with FSSAI (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. Under Manipur Excise Rules licence conditions, whisky, brandy, and rum must not be sold at a strength lower than 25 degrees under London Proof (42.8% ABV),…

Rural areas, interior villages, and non-notified hill regions remain dry under the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991. Retail is strictly prohibited within 100 metres of schools, hospitals, and places of worship, within 500…

Partial lifting of the 30-year alcohol prohibition became effective December 6, 2023, permitting liquor manufacturing and sales in Greater Imphal, district headquarters, tourist destinations, and registered hotels with at least…

The partial lifting of prohibition in urban centres and tourist locations, alongside the creation of MSBCL, provides a legal market for premium international spirits in high-end hospitality and retail. However, foreign exporters…

1. The Manipur Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (Gazette No. 49)
2. Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL) Portal
3. The Sangai Express - Legalising Alcohol in Manipur & Formation of MSBCL
4. The Economic Times - Manipur Government Partially Lifts Liquor Prohibition
5. Instructions for Profile Registration and Brand & Label Registration for IMFL in Manipur