The State Taxes and Excise Department, Himachal Pradesh on March 31, 2026, issued the amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Liquor License Rules, 1986.
The following has been stated namely: -
• Rule 18-AA shall be substituted as namely: -
“The L-3, L-4, L-5, L-3A, L-4A, L-5A, L3T, L-4T, L-5T, L-6, L-12, L-12A, L-12 AA, L12AAA, L-12B and L-12C licensees will take supplies from any retail vend falling in the jurisdiction of the concerned ASTEO/STEO circle. In case of non-availability of the brands as required by the applicant, the District Incharge may allow him to lift the requisite liquor from any adjoining unit of different licensee within the district.
The Bar licensees i.e. L-3, L-4, L-5 (hotel with three star and above only) shall procure all the foreign liquor brands directly from the supplier of the foreign liquor brands (L-1BB) on payment of assessed fee as prescribed by intimating the concerned excise officer. The owner of the hotel/bar shall ensure to furnish the certificate of rating of his hotel issued by the Hotel and Restaurant Association Classification Committee (HRACC) of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India or any competent authority while applying for procurement of foreign liquor brands from L-1BB”
• The sub-rule 3(b) of Rule 18-A shall be substituted as under: -
“The proprietor of L.4, L.5 and L.4A, L.5A should be a registered dealer under the Himachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and should be paying a minimum of Rs. 15000/- GST per annum. The license shall only be granted/ renewed in respect of such owners who are paying GST on actual basis under the H.P. GST Act.
[Notification No. 7-1/2026-E.X.N-9598]
