Yes. Every seller listing food on Amazon, Flipkart or ONDC must hold a valid FSSAI number. E-commerce is treated as multi-state trade, so most online food sellers need a Central Licence, while small single-warehouse operations may qualify for a State Licence. CAREALL files your application on FoSCoS and tracks it to issuance.
Do you need an FSSAI licence to sell food on Amazon, Flipkart or ONDC?
Yes, a valid FSSAI number is mandatory to sell any food product on Amazon, Flipkart, ONDC or any other e-commerce platform in India. Marketplaces are legally required to verify a valid FSSAI registration or licence before they activate a food seller's catalogue, so your listing will not go live without one.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, an e-commerce food business operator (FBO) is a distinct category. This covers sellers who list packaged or manufactured food, private-label brands, importers reselling online, and platforms operating their own fulfilment. There is no turnover exemption that lets you skip the licence simply because sales are small; the requirement is triggered by the act of selling food online, not by revenue.
The number must appear on your seller dashboard and, in most cases, on the product label and invoice. Selling without it can lead to your listings being taken down and to penalties under the FSSAI penalty framework.
Which FSSAI licence do you need for e-commerce food selling?
Your FSSAI category depends on your delivery reach. If your goods can be ordered and shipped across state borders — as they can on a national marketplace — the sale is treated as inter-state trade, so you generally need a Central Licence, and the marketplace operator itself always holds one. A seller supplying only within one state from a single premises may hold a State Licence, and a very small single-state seller under ₹1.5 crore turnover may qualify for Basic Registration.
The table below summarises how the three tiers map to online sellers. The government fee is charged per year; the professional fee for filing is separate.
| Licence type | Who it fits online | Turnover / scope | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Very small single-state seller, one premises | Under ₹1.5 crore | Lowest |
| State Licence | Mid-size seller, single state, single warehouse | ₹1.5 crore–₹50 crore | Higher (varies by capacity) |
| Central Licence | Most online sellers, importers, multi-state | Over ₹50 crore, or multi-state / e-commerce | Highest |
Why do most Amazon and Flipkart food sellers need a Central Licence?
Most Amazon and Flipkart food sellers need a Central Licence because national marketplaces deliver across state lines, which the FSSAI classifies as multi-state operation. The Central Licence is required for any FBO operating in more than one state, for importers and exporters, and for e-commerce operations, so it is the default tier the platforms expect from a serious food brand.
Even if you dispatch from one warehouse today, listing on a pan-India marketplace means a customer in another state can place an order, which brings you within the multi-state trigger. Amazon and Flipkart onboarding teams routinely ask for a Central Licence for food categories, and a mismatched or lower-tier licence is a common reason catalogues are held during verification.
If you also import food to resell online, you additionally need an Import-Export Code (IEC) alongside your Central FSSAI Licence.
How do you add your FSSAI number during Amazon, Flipkart or ONDC seller onboarding?
You add your FSSAI number in the seller portal's compliance or business-details section, where the platform asks you to enter the 14-digit licence number and, usually, upload the licence certificate PDF. The name and address on the licence should match your seller account and GST details, or verification can be delayed.
On Amazon, the FSSAI field appears when you list under a food or grocery category and in Seller Central's tax/licence settings. On Flipkart, it is captured during category approval for grocery and packaged food. On ONDC, the seller-side network participant collects your FSSAI number as part of catalogue publishing so it can be displayed to buyers across the network.
Because these portals validate the number against the FoSCoS database, an expired, suspended or incorrectly typed licence will fail. We ensure the licence is live and correctly scoped before you submit it for onboarding.
What documents are needed for an FSSAI licence for online food selling?
For an e-commerce FSSAI licence you typically need photo ID and address proof of the proprietor or directors, proof of the business premises or warehouse, a passport-size photograph, and business-constitution documents such as incorporation, partnership deed or GST registration. Central Licence applications also require a Form IX nomination, a food-product list, and a food-safety management plan.
Manufacturers and private-label brands need additional papers such as a product list, and importers must add their IEC. Packaged drinking water sold online needs BIS/ISI certification in addition to the FSSAI licence.
The full checklist depends on your business type; missing or mismatched documents are the leading cause of rejection, so we verify every document against the FoSCoS requirements before filing.
What ongoing FSSAI compliance applies to online food sellers?
Online food sellers must keep the licence active, display the FSSAI number correctly, and file the annual return where applicable. Licences are now valid indefinitely, kept active by an annual fee; if the annual fee is unpaid the licence is deemed suspended, so paying it on time is essential to avoid your listings being pulled.
Manufacturers and importers with a licence must file the annual return Form D1 by 31 May each year; dairy operators additionally file the half-yearly Form D2. Your product labels and, where required, your online product page must show the FSSAI logo and number, and packaged food must meet FSSAI labelling and display rules.
CAREALL manages the annual fee, returns and modifications so your marketplace presence stays compliant year-round.
CAREALL Digital Services acts as your consultant and files on the Government FoSCoS portal; the licence itself is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell food on Amazon or Flipkart with only a Basic FSSAI Registration?
Usually no. Basic Registration suits a very small single-state seller, but national marketplaces deliver across states, which the FSSAI treats as multi-state operation requiring a Central Licence. Some limited single-warehouse sellers may use a State Licence. Selling under the wrong tier can stall onboarding, so confirm your correct category before listing.
Is FSSAI mandatory for ONDC food sellers?
Yes. ONDC is an e-commerce network, so any seller publishing a food catalogue on it must hold a valid FSSAI number, just like on Amazon or Flipkart. The seller-side network participant collects your FSSAI number during catalogue publishing and displays it to buyers, so your listings will not go live without a valid, correctly scoped licence.
Do I need a Central Licence even if I ship from only one warehouse?
Generally yes. Because a pan-India marketplace lets buyers in other states order from you, your operation is treated as multi-state, which triggers the Central Licence requirement. Even a single-warehouse online seller on Amazon or Flipkart is usually expected to hold a Central Licence, and platform verification teams commonly ask for it in food categories.
How long does it take to get an FSSAI licence for online selling?
Timelines vary with the tier, your documents and the department's review. Central Licence applications are more detailed than Basic Registration and can take longer, especially if inspection is required. We do not promise exact days, but we prepare a complete, correctly scoped application to reduce queries and track it to issuance so you can begin onboarding sooner.
Do importers reselling food online need anything besides FSSAI?
Yes. Food importers reselling on Amazon, Flipkart or ONDC need a Central FSSAI Licence and a separate Import-Export Code (IEC) from the DGFT. Packaged drinking water additionally requires BIS/ISI certification. We can advise on the full combination for your product line and coordinate the FSSAI filing alongside your other registrations.
This guide is kept current for 2026. It is general information, not legal advice — for your specific case, talk to a CAREALL consultant.