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Processed food

Export whisky and other spirits

Indian whisky, rum and craft gin to Africa, the Gulf and Europe. State excise permits and the buyer’s import licence come first.

Free to exportHS 2208
HS code
2208
Undenatured ethyl alcohol below 80% and spirits: brandy (2208 20), whisky (2208 30), rum (2208 40), gin (2208 50), vodka (2208 60), liqueurs (2208 70), others including feni (2208 90).
Export policy
Free to export
Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 2, but liquor moves under state excise control: you need an export pass or permit from the state excise department to move the goods in bond to the port. Confirm the line on DGFT and the procedure with your state excise office.
Registrations
6
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 261 mn
to 79 countries

What is exported

Indian distillers export whisky (including Indian single malts), rum, brandy and craft gin, along with Goa’s GI-tagged feni. Exports go to duty-free and licensed importers. APEDA reports alcoholic products went mainly to the UAE, the Netherlands, Ghana, Kenya and Singapore in 2025-26.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Whisky (2208 30)Blended Indian whisky and Indian single malts.
  • Rum (2208 40 11/91)Dark and spiced rums.
  • Brandy, gin and vodkaIncluding Indian craft gins with botanicals.
  • FeniCashew or coconut spirit from Goa, a registered GI.

Where it is grown or made

  • Karnataka and GoaSingle-malt and craft distilleries (Bengaluru); feni in Goa.
  • MaharashtraDistilleries and wineries around Nashik and Aurangabad.
  • Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and RajasthanGrain- and molasses-based distilleries.

Export packing

  • Bottles in partitioned cartons, palletised; excise seals and export labels as required.
  • Bulk spirit in ISO tanks or flexitanks for bottling abroad.

Who buys abroad

  • Licensed importers and distributors in Africa and the Gulf
  • Duty-free and travel-retail operators
  • Speciality spirits retailers in Europe and Singapore

The quality buyers ask for

Alcohol strength
Declared % vol within tolerance; minimum strengths by category in the EU and other markets
Category definitions
Raw material and ageing must meet the destination’s definition of whisky, rum, gin and others
Contaminants
Methanol and other congeners within limits; FSSAI alcoholic beverage standards at home

Certificates

  • State excise licence and export permitRequiredDistillery or bottling licence and a state export pass to move goods in bond.
  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is made, packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • Buyer-country label approvalOften askedFor example COLA label approval through the US TTB; registration in many other markets.
  • KosherOften askedAsked for by some US buyers and ingredient buyers supplying kosher brands.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Palletised cartons in dry containers; bulk spirit in ISO tanks or flexitanks.

How it travels

Sea freight; air for samples (as dangerous goods where strength requires).

Storage

Upright, out of sun and heat; in bond until export.

Shelf life

Spirits do not spoil in sealed bottles; liqueurs may have a best-before date.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Category name, alcohol % vol, volume, country of origin, importer, allergens where relevant and health warnings in the local language.
  • USA: TTB-approved label (COLA) with the government health warning.
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and importer details. Confirm current rules with your importer.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.
Where to get it tested

Use an NABL-accredited lab (nabl-india.org) or FSSAI-notified lab for alcohol strength, methanol and other tests; your state excise laboratory may also test samples.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • State excise departmentDistillery or bottling licence and an export permit or pass for each consignment, so the goods leave without state duty.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • Buyer-country food registrationMany importing countries register the foreign plant or the product — for example US FDA food-facility registration, GACC registration for China, or product registration in some Gulf states. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Alcohol strength, methanol and other congeners within the destination’s limits; product names (“whisky”, “rum”) must meet the buyer country’s definitions — for example the EU’s minimum ageing and strength rules.
  • Label approval or registration in many markets (for example US COLA through the TTB) and health warnings in the local language.
How to start small

Start through a distillery that already holds an export permit, sign one importer-distributor in a single market (an African or Gulf duty-free buyer is common), and let them handle label registration there. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Moving goods out of the bonded warehouse without the state export pass — the state duty becomes payable.
  • Calling a molasses-based spirit “whisky” in markets where whisky must be made from grain.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. APEDA — Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. IP India — State-wise registered Geographical Indications (as on 31 Dec 2025)
  4. APEDA — DGFT notifications for APEDA products
  5. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian whisky and other spirits exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 261 mn
+7.3% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +6.7%
US$ 245 mn → US$ 261 mn
Buyer countries
79
Average export price
US$ 2.23
per kg · 1,17,227 tonnes shipped · US$ 2.39 the year before
United Arab Emirates: US$ 83.7 mnGhana: US$ 20.3 mnNetherlands: US$ 18.2 mnSingapore: US$ 15.6 mnKenya: US$ 13.4 mnTanzania: US$ 11 mnNigeria: US$ 8.7 mnOman: US$ 5.3 mnUnited States of America: US$ 5 mnMalaysia: US$ 4.8 mnTogo: US$ 4.4 mnRussia: US$ 3.6 mnThailand: US$ 3.2 mnSri Lanka: US$ 3 mnQatar: US$ 2.8 mnSouth Africa: US$ 2.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 2.4 mnChina: US$ 2.4 mnNepal: US$ 1.5 mnHong Kong: US$ 1.3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 83.7 mnUnited Arab EmiratesGhana: US$ 20.3 mnGhanaNetherlands: US$ 18.2 mnNetherlandsSingapore: US$ 15.6 mnSingaporeKenya: US$ 13.4 mnKenyaTanzania: US$ 11 mnNigeria: US$ 8.7 mnOman: US$ 5.3 mnUnited States of America: US$ 5 mnUnited States of AmericaMalaysia: US$ 4.8 mnTogo: US$ 4.4 mnRussia: US$ 3.6 mnThailand: US$ 3.2 mnSri Lanka: US$ 3 mnQatar: US$ 2.8 mnSouth Africa: US$ 2.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 2.4 mnChina: US$ 2.4 mnNepal: US$ 1.5 mnHong Kong: US$ 1.3 mnIndia
Where Indian whisky and other spirits goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 184 mn1842020-212021-22: US$ 168 mn1682021-222022-23: US$ 184 mn1842022-232023-24: US$ 234 mn2342023-242024-25: US$ 245 mn2452024-252025-26: US$ 261 mn2612025-26
India’s whisky and other spirits exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2020-21, lowest in 2021-22 — a 12% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.47 per kg2.472021-22: US$ 2.20 per kg2.202022-23: US$ 2.26 per kg2024-25: US$ 2.39 per kg2025-26: US$ 2.23 per kg2.232020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian whisky and other spirits · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 184 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 168 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 184 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 234 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 245 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 261 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 287 mn (US$ 256 mn – US$ 321 mn)2872026-272027-28: US$ 314 mn (US$ 276 mn – US$ 356 mn)3142027-28
India’s whisky and other spirits exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 314 mn

Likely range US$ 276 mn to US$ 356 mn.

Trend
+9.3% a year
Fit (R²)
0.83
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United Arab EmiratesUS$ 83.7 mn+0.9%
2GhanaUS$ 20.3 mn+28.7%
3NetherlandsUS$ 18.2 mn+11%
4HaitiUS$ 17.7 mn+27.7%
5SingaporeUS$ 15.6 mn-31.2%
6KenyaUS$ 13.4 mn+68%
7TanzaniaUS$ 11 mn+25.7%
8NigeriaUS$ 8.7 mn-4.2%
9OmanUS$ 5.3 mn-9.5%
10United States of AmericaUS$ 5 mn-26.8%
11MalaysiaUS$ 4.8 mn-7.7%
12TogoUS$ 4.4 mn+86.8%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. TogoUS$ 2.3 mn → US$ 4.4 mn+86.8%
  2. KenyaUS$ 8 mn → US$ 13.4 mn+68%
  3. DR CongoUS$ 3.1 mn → US$ 3.9 mn+29.2%
  4. GhanaUS$ 15.8 mn → US$ 20.3 mn+28.7%
  5. HaitiUS$ 13.8 mn → US$ 17.7 mn+27.7%
  6. TanzaniaUS$ 8.8 mn → US$ 11 mn+25.7%
  7. ThailandUS$ 2.7 mn → US$ 3.2 mn+20.5%
  8. Sri LankaUS$ 2.6 mn → US$ 3 mn+16.9%

Low demand

  1. LatviaUS$ 6 mn → US$ 1.9 mn-67.6%
  2. SingaporeUS$ 22.7 mn → US$ 15.6 mn-31.2%
  3. United States of AmericaUS$ 6.8 mn → US$ 5 mn-26.8%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Blended whiskey in containers holding 2 litre or less2208 30 13 · WhiskiesUS$ 74.3 mn-4.6%38.4 mn litresUS$ 1.93 per litrewas US$ 2.29
Other whiskey in containers holding more than 2 ltr2208 30 99 · WhiskiesUS$ 49.5 mn+6.7%26.7 mn litresUS$ 1.85 per litrewas US$ 1.87
Other whiskey in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 30 19 · WhiskiesUS$ 47.5 mn+30%19.0 mn litresUS$ 2.51 per litrewas US$ 2.86
Rum in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 40 11 · Rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane productsUS$ 25.4 mn+17.9%14.9 mn litresUS$ 1.71 per litrewas US$ 1.75
Vodka — vodka2208 60 00US$ 13.8 mn+3.1%6.0 mn litresUS$ 2.30 per litrewas US$ 2.56
Scotch in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 30 12 · WhiskiesUS$ 11.2 mn+11.9%646k litresUS$ 17.38 per litrewas US$ 13.48
Gin in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 50 11 · Gin and genevaUS$ 10.2 mn+73.4%3.0 mn litresUS$ 3.35 per litrewas US$ 2.88
Brandy in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 20 11 · Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marcUS$ 7.7 mn-21.5%2.9 mn litresUS$ 2.61 per litrewas US$ 4.31
Liqueurs in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 70 11 · Liqueurs and cordialsUS$ 6 mn+77.3%1.2 mn litresUS$ 4.82 per litrewas US$ 4.32
Other spirits in containers holding more than 2 ltr2208 20 99 · Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marcUS$ 4.2 mn-30.1%56k litresUS$ 74.28 per litrewas US$ 74.28
Other in containers holding more than 2 ltr2208 90 99 · Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages in heading no. 2208US$ 2.3 mn-20.1%221k litresUS$ 10.25 per litrewas US$ 7.66
Bourbon whiskey in containers holding more than 2 ltr2208 30 91 · WhiskiesUS$ 2.1 mn-4.6%1.7 mn litresUS$ 1.19 per litrewas US$ 0.83
Gin in containers holding more than 2 ltr2208 50 91 · Gin and genevaUS$ 1.7 mn+14.1%943k litresUS$ 1.80 per litrewas US$ 1.45
Bourbon whiskey in containers holding 2 ltr or less2208 30 11 · WhiskiesUS$ 1.3 mn-72.1%189k litresUS$ 6.74 per litrewas US$ 2.07

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 41 bn
2023
India among exporters
#23
of 151 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.5%
US$ 214 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 40.6 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1United KingdomUS$ 8.5 bn 20.9%
  2. 2FranceUS$ 5.63 bn 13.8%
  3. 3MexicoUS$ 4.45 bn 10.9%
  4. 4SingaporeUS$ 2.55 bn 6.2%
  5. 5USAUS$ 2.53 bn 6.2%
  6. 6ItalyUS$ 1.81 bn 4.4%
  7. 7GermanyUS$ 1.71 bn 4.2%
  8. 8IrelandUS$ 1.47 bn 3.6%
  9. 9NetherlandsUS$ 1.28 bn 3.1%
  10. 10ChinaUS$ 1.23 bn 3%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 11.3 bn 27.6%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 2.82 bn 6.9%
  3. 3SingaporeUS$ 2.12 bn 5.2%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 1.89 bn 4.6%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 1.57 bn 3.8%
  6. 6United KingdomUS$ 1.27 bn 3.1%
  7. 7SpainUS$ 1.1 bn 2.7%
  8. 8NetherlandsUS$ 1.1 bn 2.7%
  9. 9CanadaUS$ 1.03 bn 2.5%
  10. 10ItalyUS$ 1.02 bn 2.5%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 12.1 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 12.1 bn
ChinaUS$ 2.15 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 2.15 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.9 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.9 bn
SingaporeUS$ 1.73 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 1.72 bn
FranceUS$ 1.46 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.46 bn
United KingdomUS$ 1.27 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.27 bn
ItalyUS$ 1.07 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.07 bn
SpainUS$ 987 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 987 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 971 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 971 mn
CanadaUS$ 972 mnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 970 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export whisky and other spirits

World spirits trade is led by Scotch whisky, French cognac and US, Caribbean and Mexican spirits. India is one of the world’s largest whisky markets, and Indian single malts and craft gins have won attention abroad. APEDA reports alcoholic products went mainly to the UAE, the Netherlands, Ghana, Kenya and Singapore in 2025-26. The openings are premium Indian single malts and gins for speciality retail and travel retail, and value whisky and rum for African and Gulf distributors.

  1. 01Check the market

    Confirm import licensing, category definitions and duties in the destination.

  2. 02Sign an importer

    Most markets require a licensed importer who handles registration and distribution.

  3. 03Get label approval

    Register or approve labels abroad before bottling export stock.

  4. 04Get the state export pass

    Apply to the state excise department to move goods in bond to the port.

  5. 05Book, stuff and file

    Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.

  6. 06Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting whisky and other spirits

Is liquor export free?
Yes under ITC(HS), but the state excise department controls movement — you need an export pass to take goods out of bond without state duty.
Can molasses spirit be sold as whisky abroad?
Not in markets like the EU, where whisky must be distilled from cereal grain and aged. Check each market’s definition.
What RoDTEP applies?
Most spirits: 1.9% of FOB, capped at ₹2.90 per litre; rum 3.9%, capped at ₹3.40 per litre.
Can I export feni?
Yes, from licensed Goa producers. Feni is a registered GI, so only Goa-made feni may use the name.
Do I need an RCMC for my first small shipment?
Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). FSSAI and other legal licences still apply, and you need an RCMC to claim most export benefits.
Sources (4)
  1. APEDA — Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. IP India — State-wise registered Geographical Indications (as on 31 Dec 2025)
  4. APEDA — DGFT notifications for APEDA products

Who buys Indian whisky and other spirits

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