The Indian units of Diageo and Pernod Ricard have both been visited by officials from the country’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in recent days, although neither has commented on reports linking the attendances to duty classifications of bulk scotch whisky imports.
In a report published yesterday (20 October), Reuters cited unnamed sources as claiming that the government department “is concerned that bulk imports [of scotch] are being wrongly classified”. Confusion reigns, according to Reuters‘ sources, over whether the reductions on duty on spirits exports from the UK, effected by the implementation in July of the free trade agreement between the two countries, include bulk shipments.
A stock exchange filing on Saturday (17 October) by Diageo India, also known as United Spirits, confirmed that a “search was initiated at multiple locations on 16 October” by representatives from the DRI. “The company understands that the search operations form part of an industry-wide exercise being conducted by the Revenue Authority,” the unit added.
Diageo stated: “The company has extended its full co-operation and assistance in the aforesaid matter and has duly furnished all documents, clarifications and information as sought by DRI during the said search. We will continue to provide full cooperation as the matter progresses.”
Similarly, Pernod Ricard said today, when contacted by Global Drinks Intel, that “officials from the DRI visited our premises”.
A spokesperson for the group added: “Pernod Ricard India has been fully cooperating with the authorities and providing all information requested. We remain confident in our position and are committed to addressing any questions from the authorities transparently and constructively, in line with the highest standards of compliance across our operations.”
Since last week’s visits, the authorities have not contacted Pernod Ricard, according to one of Reuters’ anonymous sources.
Annual figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association in February showed the value of scotch exports to India in 2025 totalled just under GBP286m (US$382.6m) – an increase on 2024’s GBP248m.
