The total cost of FSSAI registration in 2026 is the government fee plus a separate consultant fee. The government fee depends on your category and capacity — lowest for Basic Registration, higher for a State Licence, and highest for a Central Licence. Consultant charges are separate and depend on scope.
How much does FSSAI registration cost in 2026?
The total cost of FSSAI registration in 2026 has two separate parts: the government fee and the consultant fee. The government fee depends on your category and capacity — lowest for Basic Registration, higher for a State Licence, and highest for a Central Licence (CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed). The consultant or professional fee is charged separately for preparing, filing and tracking your application on the Government FoSCoS portal.
It is important not to confuse the two. When you see an all-inclusive price advertised, it usually bundles the government fee with the professional fee. CAREALL always states the government fee and our consultancy fee separately so you know exactly what you are paying for. The licence itself is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India; we prepare and file the application and track it to issuance.
What is the government fee for FSSAI registration?
The government fee for FSSAI registration is the statutory amount payable to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and it varies by category and licence period. The exact amount depends on your production capacity and the number of years you choose, so CAREALL confirms it for your specific case before you apply.
Basic Registration (turnover under ₹1.5 crore) carries the lowest government fee. A State Licence (turnover ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, single state) is higher and varies with installed capacity. A Central Licence (turnover above ₹50 crore, or importers, exporters, multi-state operators and certain e-commerce sellers) carries the highest fee. The FSSAI number is valid indefinitely once issued, so instead of paying for a fixed term you pay a one-time issuance fee plus a recurring annual fee to keep it active. CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed.
| Category | Who it is for | Relative cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Turnover under ₹1.5 crore (petty food businesses) | Lowest | Indefinite (annual fee) |
| State Licence | Turnover ₹1.5 crore–₹50 crore, single state | Higher (varies by capacity) | Indefinite (annual fee) |
| Central Licence | Turnover above ₹50 crore, importers/exporters, multi-state, e-commerce | Highest | Indefinite (annual fee) |
What is the consultant fee and why is it separate?
The consultant fee is a separate professional charge for handling your FSSAI application, and it is not the same as the government fee paid to the authority. It covers assessing your correct category, preparing and validating your documents, drafting technical annexures where required, filing accurately on the FoSCoS portal, responding to any queries raised, and tracking the file to issuance.
The consultant fee varies with the complexity of the work. A straightforward Basic Registration is far simpler than a Central Licence for a manufacturer, which needs a product list, layout plan, machinery details and often a food-safety management plan. Because the government fee is fixed by category and the professional fee reflects effort and scope, the two are always quoted separately. CAREALL confirms both figures in writing before we begin, so there are no surprises.
What is the total cost for each FSSAI category?
The total cost for each FSSAI category is the government fee plus a separate consultant fee, and it rises with the complexity of the category. Basic Registration is the lowest-cost route, while a Central Licence for a manufacturer or importer is the highest because it involves more documentation and scrutiny.
The table below illustrates how the two components combine. The government fee is confirmed for your specific case; consultant charges depend on scope and are shown as an illustrative band rather than a fixed price. There is no multi-year term to buy — you pay a one-time issuance fee and then a recurring annual fee to keep the licence active.
| Category | Relative cost | Consultant fee (separate, illustrative) | What drives the cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Lowest | Lower band | Single form, minimal documents |
| State Licence | Higher (varies by capacity) | Mid band | Capacity details, category-specific documents |
| Central Licence | Highest | Higher band | Product list, layout plan, food-safety plan, greater scrutiny |
Are there any other costs beyond the FSSAI fee?
Yes, some businesses face additional statutory costs beyond the FSSAI government fee and consultant fee, depending on their activity. These are separate registrations required by other authorities and are not part of the FSSAI fee itself.
Importers and exporters also need an Import-Export Code (IEC), which carries its own government charge. Packaged drinking water manufacturers require BIS/ISI certification in addition to the FSSAI licence, which involves separate testing and certification costs. You should also budget for ongoing compliance: a recurring annual fee keeps the licence active (if it is left unpaid, the licence is deemed suspended), and most licence holders must file an annual return (Form D1 by 31 May, with Form D2 half-yearly for dairy units). Factoring these in from the start prevents avoidable penalties later.
How does CAREALL charge for FSSAI registration?
CAREALL charges the government fee and our consultancy fee as two clearly separated line items, so you always know what goes to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and what is our professional charge. We confirm both in writing before any work begins.
As your consultant, we assess your correct category, prepare and validate your documents, file the application on the Government FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in), respond to any departmental queries and track the file to issuance. We do not guarantee approval or a fixed number of days, because the decision rests with the authority — but we manage the process end to end and keep you informed at each stage. Whether you need a Basic Registration, a State Licence or a Central Licence, the pricing approach is the same: transparent, itemised and confirmed upfront.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FSSAI government fee the same as the consultant fee?
No. The government fee is the statutory amount paid to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — lowest for Basic Registration, higher for a State Licence and highest for a Central Licence (CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed). The consultant fee is a separate professional charge for preparing, filing and tracking your application, and it depends on the complexity of your case.
Do I pay the FSSAI fee once or every year?
Both. You pay a one-time government issuance fee when the licence is granted, and then a recurring annual fee to keep it active — the FSSAI number itself is valid indefinitely, with no fixed term to renew. CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed and confirms the current annual fee for your case.
Why do consultant fees vary between businesses?
Consultant fees vary because the work involved differs by category. A Basic Registration is a single simple form, whereas a Central Licence for a manufacturer needs a product list, layout plan, machinery details and often a food-safety management plan. More documentation and scrutiny means more professional effort, so the consultant fee reflects scope rather than a single fixed price.
Are there hidden costs after getting the FSSAI licence?
There can be ongoing costs. A recurring annual fee keeps your licence active, and if it goes unpaid the licence is deemed suspended. Most licence holders must also file an annual return (Form D1 by 31 May; Form D2 half-yearly for dairy). Importers and exporters also need an Import-Export Code, and packaged drinking water requires BIS/ISI certification. Budgeting for these from the start avoids penalties and surprises.
Will CAREALL tell me the exact cost before starting?
Yes. CAREALL confirms both the government fee and our separate consultancy fee in writing before any work begins, so there are no surprises. We assess your correct category, prepare your documents, file on the Government FoSCoS portal and track the file to issuance. The licence is issued 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.