Alcohol regulations in Meghalaya

Licences needed

Distillery/Manufacture Licence from ERTS, Bottling Licence, FSSAI Central/State Food Business Operator (FBO) Licence, Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Factory Licence from the Inspectorate of Boilers & Factories, and local municipal/Panchayat/Autonomous District Council NOC.

Authority

Excise, Registration, Taxation & Stamps Department, Government of Meghalaya

Documents

Application with court fee stamp, verified land ownership/title deeds or registered lease, detailed building layout and plant site plan, technical project report and distillation capacity, water source and effluent treatment plan, FSSAI licence/NOC, Pollution Control Board clearances, promoter KYC/identity/residence proof, and solvency certificate.

Fees

Distillery licence fee: ₹1,10,000 per annum (under Rule 244 of Meghalaya Excise Rules, as amended), plus prescribed security deposits and inspection fees.

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Licensed Wholesale (Bonded Warehouse) holders, authorized distributors, and military/paramilitary canteens holding valid excise permits. Individual retail licensees cannot import directly without state clearance.

Licences or registrations

Wholesale / Bonded Warehouse Licence, Import Pass / Permit issued per consignment, Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT (for international imports), and FSSAI Central Import Licence.

Authority

Commissioner of Excise / Directorate of Excise, Meghalaya

Documents

Excise import permit application, valid wholesale/bonded warehouse licence, DGFT IEC certificate, FSSAI licence, Export Verification Certificate (EVC) from supplying territory, treasury challan showing payment of pass fees and duties.

Fees

Wholesale/Bonded Warehouse licence fee: ₹1,50,000 per annum; Import Pass fee: ₹10 per bulk litre on excisable spirits/IMFL (subsidized for military canteens).

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required: yes Process: Annual brand and label registration is mandatory with the Meghalaya Excise Department prior to any distribution or sale. Suppliers submit label artwork, proof of ownership or authorization, and chemical…

All imported spirits must clear Indian customs under national customs regulations and obtain FSSAI clearance at the port of entry. Inter-state movements and movement from port to Meghalaya bonded warehouses require…

150% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) ad valorem on spirits under HS heading 2208 (national tariff), adjusted in conjunction with the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) to maintain a composite 150% import tariff.

Excise duty on spirits is classified by product tiers (Cheap, General, Deluxe, Premium, Super Premium) on a per London Proof Litre (LPL) or per case basis; state VAT applies (or is structured into an ad valorem unified excise…

Distribution operates via private licensed retail vendors. Channels include 'OFF' retail wine shops (annual fee ₹50,000–₹60,000), 'ON' consumption premises (bars, restaurants, clubs), and Composite Bar Licences for 3-star hotels…

restricted

Labels must comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018: mandatory English statutory health warnings ('CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH' and 'BE SAFE - DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE'),…

Direct advertising and commercial promotion of distilled spirits and alcoholic beverages across television, radio, print, and billboard media are strictly prohibited under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and…

Governed by national FSSAI Alcoholic Beverages Regulations, 2018: distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy) must maintain an ABV between 36.5% and 42.8% (standard commercial strength in India is 42.8% ABV / 75° proof).…

No blanket territorial prohibition across the state. However, sales are barred within 100 metres of national/state highways and within 200 metres of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and places of worship. In…

Promulgation of the Meghalaya Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (notified January 2025), introducing Rule 378 mandating an online end-to-end Integrated Excise Management System (IEMS) with QR code holograms and track-and-trace…

Expanding hospitality and tourism in Shillong create rising demand for premium and super-premium imported spirits (especially Scotch whisky, gin, and premium vodka). Exporters can capitalize on private off-premise retail and…

1. Meghalaya Gazette Part II-A: Meghalaya Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (ERTS (E) 89/2023/66)
2. Meghalaya Excise Rules and Amendments Compendium - Meghalaya Law Department
3. Excise, Registration, Taxation & Stamps Department, Govt. of Meghalaya
4. Meghalaya Raises Excise Duty on Liquor, Targets Revenue Consolidation - Aabkari Times
5. FSSAI Compendium of Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations