Government Extends NOC Validity for Imported Alcoholic Beverages to 1 Year
The Government of India has introduced a significant amendment to assist businesses engaged in the import of alcoholic beverages into the country. The new update has been issued by both the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to extend the validity of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for certain alcoholic products.
The duty of the Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is to verify the product (alcohol) safety when imported in India under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017. FSSAI releases a No Objection Certificate (NOC) after completing inspection and confirming that the imported goods are safe and as per the Indian food safety standards. NOC is considered a clearance certificate. Without this document, the products cannot be legally sold or distributed in the country.
Previously, the NOC for alcoholic drinks (whether bottled at the source or brought in bulk) either didn’t have a clear expiry date or was valid for a shorter time. However, now, a new order has been issued by the FSSAI on June 13, 2025, that officially clears:
- For alcoholic beverages containing more than 10% alcohol and even without any expiry date, the NOC will now be valid for 1 full year (365 days) from the date it is given.
- If the product, i.e., alcohol, remains in the Customs area, such as at the ports, for more than one year, a visual check can be requested by the importer by paying a small fee.
- This verification will help renew the expired NOC without needing full testing again.
- This amendment makes the import process easier and faster, while still keeping safety rules in place.
Authorities involved in Change:
- FSSAI: The authority that regulates food imports and issues the NOCs.
- CBIC (under the Ministry of Finance): Specifically, the Customs officials at ports who deal with imports and NOC compliance.
- Authorised Officers of FSSAI: Situated at various ports, responsible for inspection and compliance.
- Importers: Companies or individuals importing alcoholic beverages into India.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has released an instruction (Instruction No. 19/2025-Customs) dated June 20, 2025, asking all its officials and departments to:
- Make customs officers inform and train those under their jurisdiction about this new rule.
- Make sure the extended NOC validity is properly implemented and applicable at ports and customs areas.
- Sort out any issues or difficulties faced by officers or importers because of this update, and report them to the main office if needed.
This instruction has been issued along with a copy of FSSAI’s official order and has also been forwarded to the CBIC’s Webmaster for uploading to the relevant website and systems.
The amendment is aimed towards making the process of doing business easier in the country by:
- Decreasing the burden on importers who earlier had to get a new NOC or deal with delays for older shipments.
- Giving more flexibility while still keeping food safety in check, especially for alcoholic drinks that don’t expire because of their high alcohol content.