So the last time I broached this subject was a good few years ago. The comments poured in heavy requesting for the promised sheet with the duty calculation formula. I diligently sent it around but a few months down it was outdated. I promised a new one shortly but then fell off the map. I resurfaced only to find that people were still requesting an updated duty calculation sheet. Clearly India, or rather, the potential of a virgin Indian wine market has a certain continuing charm. Well, I can tell you one thing, like many a skyline, it looks better from a distance.
The new sheet is ready and should you a wish a copy please leave me a comment and I shall mail it over. This time I have expanded the chart to include the state of Karnataka (capital, Bangalore) along with Maharashtra (capital, Mumbai) and Delhi.
All you need to do is change the currency in the topmost left cell (INR71 is the current conversion rate for 1 Euro). You can change it to Dollars (1USD=INR67), Sterling Pound (1GBP=INR100), Australian Dollar…you get the idea…
One more (and very important) thing about the sheet. You will notice that as we progress through the sheet and each new levy is added, the formula in the cell below reflects not just the amount being added but the final cumulative total till that point. In simpler English, instead of merely telling you how much the customs amount will be, the sheet will show you the price of the wine upto that point including the customs portion. And so on, as each new component is introduced, the number below in the cell will show the total till that point. If that’s not clear, just double click the cell and see the formula for yourself.
And if it still doesn’t make sense, then just put in the FOB price in the first box and the sheet will do the rest.
Some assumptions have been made for the sake of simplicity i.e. the margins that the importer will charge have been pegged at 20%. Similarly we have assumed a 15% for the distributor. Not saying this will happen; it could be higher. It could perhaps be much lower. It will all boil down to your negotiation skills. And then the retail margin is fixed as per government rules but here again, retailers, being the greedy lot that they are, will ask for much, a lot more. So the importer may have to increase his margin to account for all such “extra payouts” thereby increasing the amount before local state levies. Then there might be other costs like storage and transport which may need to be accounted for.
And in all this, I still haven’t added the state-centric registration cost which is applicable per label per brand. I have also not included in this calculation the fee for FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Authority of India) assessment, which will require not just a payment but also 2 sample bottles per label to be submitted for analysis each time a shipment hits India shores. Yep, each and every time! It’s not an annual thing. Hence depending on how much wine one ships at a time the cost as a percentage component will vary.
So much for fairy tale endings. But hopefully at least now you will be better equipped to handle things when you make a plan to enter this market. In the meantime, please leave me a comment asking for the sheet (politely, of course) and I’ll email it over. (Yeah, I still haven’t figured how to upload a link to it and make it available for direct download.)
All mumbaikars are complaining about taxation in our state every time its on the rise no uniformity like other states
Every body cant afford to pay sales tax vat service tax + 5 stars & A grade restaurants levy service charges where it is additionally charged secretly by some greedy restaurateur all inclusive and they hide it in their pockets and dont pay staff service charged levied on guest plz keep guests & everyone happy maharashtra excise customs collectors department
No indiscrimination on taxes
No indiscrimination on staff workers
Hey thank you for touching this seem to be complicated tax structure issue.
I work with wines in Australia if you ever wish to come over for a visit I shall look after a fellow vinophelic ;).
Regards
Hello Magan Sir,
Kindly send me a copy of this spreadsheet. Great article to look upon.
Thanks.
Nice read ….thanks for resolving this tedious task of multiple taxes…..anything for the love of wine
Bonjour,
My heart and my time are divided between Bombay and Bordeaux. In an attempt to try reconciling those two passions, I would be grateful if you could share with me the result of your helpful work.
Many Thanks!
Can i have the latest excise wine duty taxes in brief
I would like to have copy of the above mentioned Tax Structure.
Thank you!!!
Hi,
Came across this article while trying to reconcile the cost of imported wines in India. Can you send me a copy of the spreadsheet.
Thank you
Hi Mangesh,
Your both articles are amazing and has the information I am looking for. Please send me the excel sheet for taxes.
Thanks and regards,
–Naresh
Hi Magandeep, your name got auto caorrected to the one in my list.
🙂
Hi Magan,
Happy New Year. Thank you for the wonderful article. Read your previous article and the new one as well. Very interesting indeed.
Would you be able to share the excel sheet which you mentioned. Considering the business complexities you mentioned, it seems to be a piece of art in itself.
Have a great year Ahead
Please send me the excel sheet for calculations…
Would like to have copy of the Tax Structure.
Thanks
Dear Magan,
Thanks for the effort of putting this together. I would love to have a copy of this sheet if you could mail it across to me.
Thanks,
Please send work sheet
Hi ……. Kind of intruiging way you have of describing yourself…. read the whole About Maggan coloumn despite the initial insults….. guess really need the spreadsheet ….would be obliged if you could send it across
Hi Magandeep,
Your both article on wine duties are very detailed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Would appreciate the copy on your excel on taxes. Many thanks
Hi Magan,
Your articles are amazing and have the right thing I was looking for.. please email me that worksheet of yours, I will be grateful..
Thanks
Deepti
Please send the sheet to me.
Thank you.
very useful article ,thanks for sharing ,please send the sheet,thank you
Hi Magandeep
Very informative article, thanks for updating as well from the older one. Please email me the spreadsheet, appreciate the good gesture.
Thanks
Hi
I’d be grateful if you could send the spreadsheet over-it is clearly something very helpful for anyone looking towards India.
BTW-great blog on karaoke recently-could not agree more!
Thanks
Ajai
Haha! Yeeah, that’s my fun venting space. Should do some more here too…
Hello Magan,
Kindly send me a copy of this spreadsheet. Great article to look upon.
Thanking in anticipation.
Regards,
Soumiel
HI Magandeep,
Nice article’s about India wine import. Also read your old article. I am studying wine marketing and doing a research on wine imports to India. Can you pls forward me the spread sheet and any other articles that you could be useful.
Article was very informative and we’ll explained. Can I request you to send me the spreadsheet.
Will wait for your other articles.
Thanks in advance
Animesh
Chateau La haye
Hi Magan,
Request you to please e-mail me your spreadsheet. – will be a massive help.
thanks a ton!
Hi Magan,
Just saw this updated article. Can I also have this spreadsheet you are sharing? Thanks in advance
Dear Magan ji,
Please share the spreadsheet. Its really kind of you to provide this to everyone..!
Thanks! 🙂
Done. late, but done! 🙂
Dear Magan,
Thanks for sharing your views. Quite helpful and informative.
Can u please share the calculations on my mail.
Thanks in advance
Dear Magandeep,
Thanks heaps for all your insights into Indian wine industry all across the web. Learned a lot. If you don’t mind, I would also love a copy of the excise spreadsheet. Please. We currently import Charosa Wines to Australia, and are working on an export channel for Aussie wine, beer and spirits into India.
I will be in Mumbai end 2018 / early 2019, and would love to catch up, if convenient for ya.
I have reached out to you via Linkedin as well.
Hope to catch you soon.
Many thanks,
Vikas
BEVERAGE HILLS
Love to met up and sending the sheet by email presently. drop me a mail.
Hi Magandeep,
Thanks for the information. Can you please send the spreadsheet of taxes on wine in India?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Parth
Hi Magan, thank you so much for taking the time and making this available.
Can I please have the spreadsheet?
Would mean a lot.
Thanks
Hello Magandeep,
I live in France and I am planning to set-up a business in India by importing wine from France. It would helpful, if you can kindly send me the spread sheet to my email address.
My email address : tanmoy.besu@gmail.com
Regards ..
Tanmoy
Thanks for sharing the information Mr Singh.
Can you please share me the spreadsheet on my mail?
Please if you could help me with your knowledge and expertise, it would be of much help to me.
Thank you
Harry
Hey Magan — impressed with your knowledge. We export wine from France to India at fair market prices. Would love to see your calculation sheet for duties for the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Do let me know if you’re able to send me a copy.
Thanks in advance
HI Magan
Saw your article (and the old ones), very informative!
I’d really appreciate If you could share the pricing sheet with me as well.
I am planning an alcohol distribution business and would love to talk further on this, get your insights If you’re comfortable. Please do let me know how can I get in touch with you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
Karan
Can you sir assist me with the excel sheet please?
Mr Singh, excellent analysis and thank you for sharing all your insights. I’d be grateful if you can please share your spreadsheet with me. Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Jason
Hey Magan,
Thanks for preparing the calculation sheet.. I am planning to import wine but for personal consumption.
Still keen on your excel sheet.
Cheers,
Avi
Hi Magan,
Thanks heaps for both great informative article.
Looking to import wine from Australia. Also if any information on wholesale license requirements would be highly appreciable.
Your spreadsheet will be great help too.
Kind regards
HI Magandeep
I read your both article and found really amazing and practical explanation.
Would be requesting you to share the excel sheet .
Looking forward to see you .
Regards
Pramod
Hello Sir,
Your article is very informative. Could you share the spreadsheet of taxes on wine in India?
Would like to get in touch if possible to understand more about the process to import alcohol in India.
Thanking you in advance,
Regards,
Saurav.
Hi Magandeep,
very nice article on the Indian taxes on wines. I am exploring the possibilities of importing wines in India and would request you if possible to share the spreadsheet.
Thanks and regards,
Vikram
Hi Magan,
A very well written article so simplify the complex Indian taxation structure. Can you please share a copy of spreadsheet for me to assess and navigate my novel journey of wine imports.
Hi Magandeep,
Hope you are well.
My name is Saurav and I am doing some research on importing wines in India.
The project is in the initial phase as we look out for some interested investors.
I went through your page and found it extremely exciting and informative.
I want to ask you for the latest import duties & state wide charges calculation sheet for the current situation.
I have been working on it to get the numbers as close to reality but it is very confusing and ever changing.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Have a good day.
Best Regards,
Saurav