A Central Licence is issued by FSSAI for food businesses with turnover above ₹50 crore, importers, exporters, e-commerce operators, and those operating across two or more states. It is applied on the FoSCoS portal, stays valid indefinitely as long as its annual fee is paid, and CAREALL files and tracks it to issuance.
Who needs an FSSAI Central Licence?
You need an FSSAI Central Licence if your food business has an annual turnover above ₹50 crore, imports or exports food, operates in two or more states under one brand, or runs an e-commerce food operation. It is the top of the three-tier FSSAI structure, issued directly by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India rather than the state authority.
The Central Licence exists for food businesses whose scale, movement of goods, or reach crosses state or national boundaries. Alongside the turnover trigger, several activity-based triggers apply regardless of turnover, so a business can be small in revenue yet still legally require a Central Licence purely because of what it does.
In practice this means importers, exporters, large manufacturers, e-commerce food platforms, operators supplying to central government institutions, and businesses with a registered head office coordinating outlets across multiple states all fall into the Central category. CAREALL assesses your exact activity and turnover to confirm the correct tier before filing.
- Annual turnover exceeding ₹50 crore
- Importers and exporters of food products (an Import-Export Code / IEC is also required)
- Businesses operating in two or more states under a single brand (a Central Licence for the head office)
- E-commerce food operators and marketplace platforms
- Large manufacturers, and units exceeding prescribed production capacity
- 100% Export Oriented Units, and operators at ports, airports and seaports
How is a Central Licence different from Basic and State?
A Central Licence differs from Basic Registration and State Licence primarily by turnover threshold and by activity: Basic Registration covers turnover below ₹1.5 crore, State Licence covers ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore within one state, and Central Licence covers above ₹50 crore or any import, export, multi-state or e-commerce activity.
The three tiers form a single ladder under FSSAI. Most small food businesses sit on Basic; growing single-state businesses sit on State; and large or cross-border operators sit on Central. The distinction matters because applying at the wrong tier leads to rejection or later re-filing, and operating under an insufficient licence exposes you to penalty.
| Tier | Who it is for | Issuing authority | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Turnover below ₹1.5 crore | State / local | Lowest |
| State Licence | ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, single state | State Food Authority | Higher (varies by capacity) |
| Central Licence | Above ₹50 crore, or import/export, multi-state, e-commerce | FSSAI (central) | Highest |
What documents are required for a Central Licence?
A Central Licence application requires identity and address proof of the proprietor or directors, proof of the premises, a food safety management plan, a detailed product list, and business constitution documents. Import-export businesses must also provide their Import-Export Code (IEC), and packaged drinking water manufacturers need BIS/ISI certification.
The Central tier demands more documentation than State or Basic because FSSAI scrutinises larger operations more closely. Preparing a complete, correctly formatted set at the outset is the single biggest factor in avoiding queries and delays. CAREALL compiles, checks and formats the full set before submission.
- Photo identity and address proof of proprietor, partners or directors
- Proof of possession of premises (rent agreement, utility bill or ownership deed)
- Blueprint / layout plan of the processing unit (for manufacturers)
- List of food products or categories to be handled
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan
- Business constitution: incorporation certificate, partnership deed or MoA/AoA
- Import-Export Code (IEC) for importers and exporters; BIS/ISI for packaged drinking water
- Analysis report of water used, and NOC from municipality or local body where applicable
How do you apply for an FSSAI Central Licence?
You apply for an FSSAI Central Licence online through the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) by selecting the Central Licence category, completing Form B, uploading the required documents, and paying the government fee. FoSCoS has replaced the older FLRS system, and the application is reviewed by the central licensing authority before issuance.
The process looks simple on screen but the detail matters: the correct Kind of Business (KoB) must be selected, product categories must map to your actual operations, and the FSMS plan must match your unit. Errors at this stage generate departmental queries that can add weeks. CAREALL prepares the file, submits it on FoSCoS, responds to any queries raised, and tracks it to issuance. We never guarantee approval or an exact number of days, but we manage every step until the licence is issued.
- Register / log in on FoSCoS (foscos.fssai.gov.in)
- Select the Central Licence category and the correct Kind of Business
- Complete Form B and enter product and premises details
- Upload the full document set, including IEC or BIS where applicable
- Pay the government fee (CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed)
- Respond to any inspection or query raised by the licensing authority
- Receive the Central Licence with a 14-digit FSSAI number
How long is a Central Licence valid and what does it cost?
An FSSAI Central Licence stays valid indefinitely once issued — there is no fixed one-to-five-year term. You pay a one-time issuance fee and then a recurring annual fee to keep it active; CAREALL shares your exact, all-in government cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed. The professional filing fee charged by a consultant is separate from the government fee.
There is no renewal application; instead, the annual fee must be paid on time to keep the licence active. If the annual fee is left unpaid, the licence is deemed suspended, which means you cannot legally operate and can disrupt your e-commerce listings and import consignments until it is cleared. Central Licence holders must also file the annual return in Form D1 by 31 May each year, and dairy units file the half-yearly Form D2.
Licences issued before April 2026 may still show an expiry date on FoSCoS during the transition — we keep your annual fee paid so your licence stays active.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Government fee | Shared with you on WhatsApp before filing |
| Validity | Indefinite once issued — no fixed term |
| Consultant / professional fee | Separate from the government fee |
| Annual fee | Recurring — keeps the licence active; if unpaid, the licence is deemed suspended |
| Annual return | Form D1 by 31 May; Form D2 half-yearly for dairy |
Do e-commerce and import/export food businesses always need a Central Licence?
Yes. E-commerce food operators, importers and exporters require an FSSAI Central Licence regardless of turnover, because these activities are classified as central-tier by nature rather than by revenue. A valid FSSAI number is also mandatory to list on Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and ONDC.
For importers and exporters, the Central Licence works alongside the Import-Export Code (IEC), and both must be in place before consignments move. E-commerce marketplaces and their sellers are checked for a valid, active FSSAI number at onboarding. If you sell across state lines through one brand, the head office needs a Central Licence even where individual outlets hold State licences. CAREALL advises on the right combination of licences for your model.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Central Licence required if my turnover is below ₹50 crore?
It can be. While the ₹50 crore turnover threshold triggers a Central Licence, several activities require it regardless of turnover, including import, export, e-commerce food operations, and running units at ports or airports. So a business with modest revenue that imports or exports food, or sells online across states, still needs a Central Licence rather than a State Licence.
Can I hold both a Central and a State Licence?
Yes, and multi-state businesses often do. The head office that coordinates operations across two or more states typically holds a Central Licence, while individual manufacturing units or outlets within a single state hold their own State licences. CAREALL maps your structure and files the correct licence for each location so the whole group is compliant.
How long does an FSSAI Central Licence take to be issued?
Timelines vary with document completeness, inspection requirements and departmental workload, so we never promise an exact number of days. A clean, correctly prepared application moves faster than one that generates queries. CAREALL prepares the full file, submits it on FoSCoS, answers any queries raised, and tracks the application through to issuance.
What happens if I operate without the correct Central Licence?
Operating without the required Central Licence, or under a lower tier when Central is mandated, exposes you to penalty and possible action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. E-commerce platforms can suspend your listings and import consignments can be held. If you are unsure which tier applies, CAREALL will assess your turnover and activity before you file.
Do e-commerce sellers need their own FSSAI licence?
Yes. A valid, active FSSAI number is mandatory to list food products on Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and ONDC. E-commerce food operators generally require a Central Licence, while individual sellers need at least the tier matching their turnover and reach. CAREALL confirms and files the right licence for your selling model.
This guide is kept current for 2026. It is general information, not legal advice — for your specific case, talk to a CAREALL consultant.