Food importers and exporters in India need an FSSAI Central Licence, regardless of turnover, plus an Import-Export Code (IEC) from DGFT. The Central Licence is quoted on the Bill of Entry at customs, is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and CAREALL files it for you on the FoSCoS portal and tracks it to issuance.
Which FSSAI licence do food importers and exporters need?
Food importers and exporters must hold an FSSAI Central Licence, not a Basic Registration or State Licence, irrespective of their annual turnover. Import and export are among the activities the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India places directly under central jurisdiction, so even a first shipment or a low-value trade requires the Central Licence.
This differs from purely domestic businesses, where turnover decides the licence tier. For a trader operating only within India, Basic Registration covers turnover below 1.5 crore, a State Licence covers 1.5 crore to 50 crore in a single state, and a Central Licence applies above 50 crore or across multiple states. The moment you add import or export to your activity, the Central Licence becomes mandatory regardless of that number.
CAREALL confirms your correct category before filing so your application is not rejected for being lodged under the wrong authority.
| Situation | Applicable licence | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Imports food into India | Central Licence (mandatory) | Central (FSSAI) |
| Exports food from India | Central Licence (mandatory) | Central (FSSAI) |
| Domestic trade below 1.5 crore | Basic Registration | State |
| Domestic trade 1.5 crore to 50 crore, one state | State Licence | State |
| Domestic trade above 50 crore or multi-state | Central Licence | Central (FSSAI) |
Do I need both an IEC and an FSSAI licence to trade food?
Yes. Food importers and exporters need two distinct registrations that work together: an Import-Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and an FSSAI Central Licence issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The IEC authorises you to trade across the border; the FSSAI Central Licence certifies that the food you move complies with Indian food-safety law.
Neither substitutes for the other. Customs will look for the IEC to process the shipment and for a valid FSSAI licence number to clear the food consignment. Trying to import or export with only one of the two will stall your goods at the port.
If you are packaging or bottling packaged drinking water for export, you will also need BIS/ISI certification on top of these two, as water carries a mandatory standard.
- IEC (DGFT) — your identity for cross-border trade
- FSSAI Central Licence — food-safety compliance certificate
- BIS/ISI — additional requirement for packaged drinking water
- GST registration and, for many products, an APEDA registration for exporters
How does the FSSAI licence connect to customs clearance?
The FSSAI Central Licence connects to customs clearance because imported food consignments are checked by FSSAI officials at notified entry points before the goods are released. Your licence number is declared on the Bill of Entry, and the consignment is referred to FSSAI through the customs system for inspection and, where required, sampling and laboratory testing.
On clearance, FSSAI issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the consignment, which allows customs to release the food. Without a valid Central Licence, the referral cannot be raised and the goods remain held. For exporters, importing countries and Indian export authorities expect a valid FSSAI licence as proof that the food was produced or handled under a licensed, compliant operation.
Because a held consignment accrues demurrage and storage costs quickly, importers should have the Central Licence in hand before goods arrive, not after. CAREALL tracks your application to issuance so your licence is ready ahead of your first shipment.
What documents are required for an importer or exporter FSSAI licence?
An importer or exporter applying for an FSSAI Central Licence needs the standard Central Licence document set plus trade-specific proofs such as the IEC. The exact list varies by constitution of business and product, but the core documents are consistent.
CAREALL reviews your documents before submission to reduce the risk of a rejection or a query from the licensing authority, which is a common cause of delay.
- Form B, completed and signed
- Import-Export Code (IEC) certificate from DGFT
- Photo ID and address proof of the proprietor, partners or directors
- Proof of business premises (rent agreement or ownership document, utility bill)
- Constitution proof — partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, or GST certificate
- List of food products or categories to be imported or exported
- Food safety management plan or FSMS declaration
- Authority letter naming the responsible person, and passport-size photographs
- For manufacturers/processors: layout plan and list of machinery
What are the fees and timeline for an importer-exporter FSSAI licence?
The government fee for an FSSAI Central Licence has a one-time issuance component plus a recurring annual fee that keeps the licence active — the licence itself is now valid indefinitely, with no fixed one-to-five-year term (CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed). This is a government charge; CAREALL's professional fee for preparing, filing and following up the application is separate and quoted upfront.
We do not promise an exact number of approval days, because the timeline depends on document scrutiny, any inspection, and the licensing authority's queries. What we commit to is filing a clean application and tracking it to issuance, responding to any departmental query on your behalf.
Keeping the annual fee paid on time keeps the licence continuously active and avoids the risk of a lapse. If the annual fee is left unpaid, the licence is deemed suspended, so a suspended licence while goods are in transit can be costly.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (Central Licence) | Shared with you before filing | Payable to FSSAI; one-time issuance fee plus a recurring annual fee |
| Validity | Indefinite once issued | No fixed term to renew |
| If annual fee unpaid | Licence deemed suspended | Avoid by paying the annual fee on time |
| CAREALL professional fee | Separate, quoted upfront | Filing + follow-up to issuance |
What ongoing compliance must food importers and exporters maintain?
Food importers and exporters must file the FSSAI annual return in Form D1 by 31 May each year covering the previous financial year, keep their licence active by paying its recurring annual fee, and ensure every product complies with Indian labelling and safety standards. Importers in particular must meet FSSAI labelling requirements, including the importer's name and address, on imported packs before sale.
Businesses dealing in milk or milk products must additionally file Form D2 on a half-yearly basis. Any change in products, premises or business details must be updated on the licence through a modification, and the annual fee should be paid well ahead of its due date so the licence is never deemed suspended.
CAREALL handles annual returns, annual-fee payments and modifications so your import-export operation stays continuously compliant and your consignments are never held for a suspended or mismatched licence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import food into India with only a State FSSAI Licence?
No. Import of food is a centrally regulated activity, so a State Licence or Basic Registration is not valid for importers. You must hold an FSSAI Central Licence regardless of your turnover, together with an Import-Export Code from DGFT. Customs references the Central Licence on the Bill of Entry, so a State Licence will leave your consignment held at the port.
Is an Import-Export Code enough to export food without an FSSAI licence?
No. An IEC authorises cross-border trade but does not certify food safety. Food exporters also need an FSSAI Central Licence, which serves as proof that the food was handled under a licensed, compliant operation. Indian export authorities and many importing countries expect a valid FSSAI number, so both registrations are required to export food lawfully.
How long is an importer's FSSAI Central Licence valid?
An FSSAI Central Licence is now valid indefinitely once issued — there is no fixed one-to-five-year term. Instead of renewing, you pay a recurring annual fee to keep it active; if the annual fee is left unpaid, the licence is deemed suspended, which risks a lapse while goods are in transit. CAREALL advises paying the annual fee well before its due date.
What happens to my food consignment if my FSSAI licence is not ready?
The consignment is held at the port because FSSAI cannot raise the clearance referral or issue the No Objection Certificate without a valid Central Licence number on the Bill of Entry. Held goods accrue demurrage and storage charges quickly, so importers should have the licence in hand before goods arrive. CAREALL tracks your application to issuance ahead of shipment.
Does CAREALL guarantee my FSSAI import licence will be approved?
CAREALL does not guarantee approval or an exact number of days, because issuance depends on document scrutiny, any inspection, and the licensing authority's queries. What we do is prepare and file a clean application on the FoSCoS portal, respond to departmental queries on your behalf, and track it to issuance. The licence itself is granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
This guide is kept current for 2026. It is general information, not legal advice — for your specific case, talk to a CAREALL consultant.