# FSSAI Licence

An FSSAI registration or licence is the permission a food business needs from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Which one applies depends on the kind and scale of the business. Sanmayu identifies the right category, prepares your documents, files on the FoSCoS portal and follows queries. The authority decides.

Free first consultation · a named contact replies

## Who needs FSSAI Licence?

Anyone who makes, stores, sells or imports food in India must hold the registration or licence that matches their activity.

- **Food manufacturers and packers**Making or packing food products for sale.
- **Traders, restaurants and caterers**Storing, selling or serving food.
- **Food importers**Who need a licence before importing.

## Registration, state licence or central licence: which one do I need?

FSSAI classes food businesses by turnover and kind of business. Under the amendment of March 2026, the turnover thresholds for registration, state licence and central licence were revised from 1 April 2026 for new applications. Importers always need a central licence under the importer category, and e-commerce food businesses a licence under the e-commerce category. We confirm the category before filing, so the fee and documents are right.

## Which products or businesses does this apply to?

Food businesses of every size. Whether you need a registration, a state licence or a central licence is for an expert to confirm.

## How does FSSAI Licence work?

The stages, from your documents to the decision. The right-hand column is what most often slows each stage.

**How does FSSAI Licence work?**

| Stage | Who acts | What happens | What can hold it up |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 · Category check | Sanmayu with you | Kind of business (manufacturer, repacker, relabeller, trader, e-commerce, importer, transporter) and turnover worked out to pick registration, state licence or central licence | Applying in a category that does not fit |
| 2 · Portal account | Sanmayu with you | Account created on FoSCoS and the application started for the chosen kind of business | Choosing the wrong kind of business in the form |
| 3 · Documents | You | Identity, constitution, premises and, for manufacturers, layout, equipment and water analysis gathered | Premises papers not in the business's name |
| 4 · Food safety plan | Sanmayu with you | Food safety management system plan or self-declaration, food categories and the nominated responsible person prepared | A generic plan not tied to the process |
| 5 · Application and fee | Sanmayu | Application submitted online and the authority's fee paid; no physical documents go to the office | Product list that does not match the activity |
| 6 · Scrutiny | Food authority | Documents reviewed; the application may be reverted with queries to answer | A query left unanswered |
| 7 · Inspection | Food authority | Premises inspected where required, against the hygiene and sanitary requirements of Schedule 4 | Findings that need correction |
| 8 · Grant | Food authority | Registration or licence issued with its number and QR code | Number not shown on labels and invoices as required |
| 9 · Changes | You with Sanmayu | Modifications filed when products, premises or the nominee change | Products added without an update |

## Which documents are needed for FSSAI Licence?

**Documents and why they are asked for**

| Document | Why it is needed | Common problem |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Application form with signatory | Form B for a state licence, signed by the proprietor, partner or authorised signatory | Signed by someone not authorised |
| Photo ID and address proof | Government-issued proof for the proprietor, partners, directors or signatory | Details differ across documents |
| Constitution of the business | Partnership deed, proprietorship declaration, or MoA with the incorporation page and the list of directors | Papers not current |
| Premises proof | Sale deed, rent agreement or electricity bill supports the place of business | Consent from the owner missing |
| Layout plan and equipment list | For manufacturers and processors: dimensions, area allocation, machines and capacity | Plans that do not match the premises |
| List of food categories | Defines what the licence covers | Products added later without an update |
| Water analysis report | For manufacturers: a water test report where water is used as an ingredient | Report from an unrecognised laboratory |
| Food safety plan and responsible person | FSMS plan or declaration, plus the authority letter or Form IX nomination for companies | Nomination not on record |

## Does an FSSAI licence still need renewal?

FSSAI states that the 2026 amendment introduced perpetual validity: licences and registrations issued on or after 1 April 2026 remain valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered, and need no renewal. Hygiene and safety compliance continues. An application still in process is perpetual if the licence or registration is issued on or after 1 April 2026. For a certificate issued before that date, the status FoSCoS shows for that number applies, and we check it for your case.

## What are the cost components of FSSAI Licence?

Three parts, quoted for your case after a short review. Your first consultation is free.

- **Government fee**The authority's fee, which depends on the category and the licence period.
- **Testing or verification**Any inspection, and any laboratory testing the product needs.
- **Our service**Category check, filing and follow-up. A named contact quotes after review.

### Get a quote for your case

A named contact reads your details and replies with a quote that lists each part above.

- What you make, move or run, in a line or two
- Where it is made and where it will be sold
- Any certificate or registration you already hold

Free first consultation covers

- Whether your product or activity falls under this service, and what its scope is.
- Which approvals, schemes or registrations apply to your case.
- The list of documents you will need to gather.
- What a named contact needs from you to prepare a quote.

The first consultation is free. Any work after it is quoted separately, and you decide whether to go ahead.

## What commonly holds FSSAI Licence up?

- **Wrong category**A registration where a licence is needed, or the wrong kind of business, can be refused or later challenged.
- **Inspection findings**Hygiene and layout gaps measured against Schedule 4 must be fixed.
- **Missing supporting reports**Water analysis, the food safety plan and the nomination are common reasons for a revert.
- **Labels and records**The registration or licence number must be shown as required, and changes must be filed as modifications.

## Do importers, e-commerce sellers and relabellers need a licence of their own?

Yes, each in its own category. Every importer needs a central licence under the importer category, and a business that already holds a state licence must modify it. A business that sells through its own online platform also needs the e-commerce category, and one that has its products made or packed by a third party is a relabeller and applies in that category. FSSAI also states that a licence is needed for both import and export of food products.

## FSSAI Licence: common questions

**Q: What is an FSSAI licence?**

A: It is the authorisation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to run a food business, applied for on the FoSCoS portal.

**Q: Registration or licence: which do I need?**

A: It depends on the kind of business and its turnover, and the turnover thresholds changed from 1 April 2026. We work it out with you.

**Q: Do importers need it?**

A: Yes. All importers need a central licence under the importer category before importing food.

**Q: Do I need one to sell food online?**

A: A business that sells food through its own online platform needs the e-commerce category as well as its other licence.

**Q: Does it need renewal?**

A: FSSAI states that licences and registrations issued on or after 1 April 2026 remain valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered, and need no renewal. We check where an older certificate stands.

**Q: What does an inspection look at?**

A: The hygiene and sanitary requirements of Schedule 4, using checklists specific to the kind of business.

**Q: Do I send physical documents?**

A: No. FSSAI says documents are submitted online on FoSCoS.

**Q: How much does it cost?**

A: The authority's fee and our service. A named contact quotes after review. Your first consultation is free.

## Often needed with FSSAI Licence

- [GST RegistrationTax registration](https://sanmayu.com/services/gst-registration)
- [LMPC CertificatePackaged food labels](https://sanmayu.com/services/lmpc-certificate)
- [IEC Code and DGFTFor importers and exporters](https://sanmayu.com/services/iec-code-dgft)
- [Customs Clearance (CHA)Clearing food imports](https://sanmayu.com/services/customs-clearance-cha)

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