The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) on March 31, 2026, issued guidelines for transition of SKU validity and barcode operations in the eAbkari system for the new Excise Year 2026–27. The circular outlines a structured process to ensure continuity of trade while maintaining regulatory control over product registration and inventory tracking.
All existing SKUs will automatically expire on March 31, 2026 at 23:59:59, and trading using such SKUs will not be permitted unless validity is extended. Extension will be granted automatically upon approval of the same brand for the licensee in the new excise year. However, activities such as import permit placement and generation of new barcodes will be allowed only for newly created SKUs.
Licensees may continue to trade existing stock under old SKUs until depletion, while new products will be assigned fresh SKU IDs with revised GTIN rules. Compliance with the prescribed SOP is mandatory to ensure seamless transition and traceability, failing which regulatory action may be initiated.
[Circular No. F.No. Exc-MO017/Comp No. 350159/1/2026-1MFL]
