The FSSAI registration process runs on the FoSCoS portal. Small businesses under ₹1.5 crore turnover file Form A for a Basic Registration; those from ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore file Form B for a State Licence, and those above ₹50 crore or trading across states file Form B for a Central Licence, attaching documents and paying the government fee.
What is the FSSAI registration process?
The FSSAI registration process is an online application filed on the government FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in), where you select your eligibility category, complete the relevant form, upload supporting documents, and pay the government fee before the application is scrutinised and the certificate is issued. FoSCoS (the Food Safety Compliance System) has replaced the older FLRS system, and every new food business, from a home kitchen to a manufacturing unit, is registered or licensed through it.
The single biggest decision at the start is which category applies to you, because it determines the form. A Basic Registration uses Form A, while a State or Central Licence uses Form B. Choosing the wrong category is the most common reason applications are returned, so it is worth confirming your turnover and business type before filing.
At CAREALL we prepare and file the application on your behalf on the FoSCoS portal, match your documents to the exact category, and track the application through to issuance by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
What is the difference between Form A and Form B?
Form A is the application for a Basic FSSAI Registration, used by small food businesses with an annual turnover below ₹1.5 crore, while Form B is the application for a State or Central Licence, used by larger businesses. The two forms differ in the level of detail required: Form A is a simple registration form, whereas Form B asks for more operational information and heavier documentation, such as a layout plan and a food-safety management plan.
Which form you file follows directly from the eligibility slab. Basic Registration (Form A) is for micro and small operators; the State Licence (Form B) covers turnover from ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore within a single state; and the Central Licence (Form B) is for turnover above ₹50 crore, importers and exporters, e-commerce operators, and businesses operating across multiple states.
| Feature | Form A (Basic Registration) | Form B (State / Central Licence) |
|---|---|---|
| Who files | Turnover below ₹1.5 crore | ₹1.5 crore–₹50 crore (State); above ₹50 crore, importers/exporters, e-commerce, multi-state (Central) |
| Application type | Registration | Licence |
| Documentation | Minimal (ID, photo, address, business proof) | Heavier (adds layout plan, list of equipment, water test, food-safety plan for many categories) |
| Relative cost | Lowest | State higher (varies by capacity); Central highest |
| Validity | Indefinite (annual fee) | Indefinite (annual fee) |
What are the steps to apply for FSSAI registration?
To apply for FSSAI registration, sign in to the FoSCoS portal, check your eligibility, select the correct licence category, complete Form A or Form B, upload the required documents, pay the government fee online, and note the reference number the portal generates. Each step must be completed in sequence, and an incomplete or mismatched submission is liable to be returned for clarification.
The government fee is separate from any consultancy or professional fee. For a Basic Registration the government fee is the lowest (CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed), while State and Central Licences carry higher fees that vary with production capacity.
- Step 1 — Confirm eligibility: establish your annual turnover and business type to decide between Basic, State, and Central.
- Step 2 — Access FoSCoS: register or sign in on foscos.fssai.gov.in and start a fresh application.
- Step 3 — Select category and form: the portal loads Form A for Basic Registration or Form B for a State/Central Licence.
- Step 4 — Fill business details: enter the entity name, premises address, nature of business, and products handled.
- Step 5 — Upload documents: attach identity and address proof, a passport photo, business proof, and category-specific papers such as a layout plan.
- Step 6 — Pay the government fee: complete the online payment of the issuance fee; the licence is then valid indefinitely, kept active by an annual fee.
- Step 7 — Submit and track: note the application reference number; we track scrutiny, respond to any query, and follow it through to issuance.
What documents are needed for the FSSAI application?
Every FSSAI application needs proof of identity, a passport-size photograph of the applicant, and proof of the business premises, with Form B applications additionally requiring a premises layout plan, a list of equipment, and, for many categories, a water test report and a food-safety management plan. Providing clear, correctly named documents that match the details typed into the form is what keeps an application moving without queries.
Certain businesses require extra registrations alongside the FSSAI application. Importers and exporters must also hold an Import-Export Code (IEC), and packaged drinking water units need BIS/ISI certification in addition to their FSSAI licence. Confirming these parallel requirements early prevents the application from stalling at scrutiny stage.
What happens after the FSSAI certificate is issued?
Once the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issues the certificate, you receive a 14-digit FSSAI licence number that must be displayed at your premises and printed on labels and bills, and you become responsible for the annual fee and any applicable annual returns. A valid FSSAI number is also required to list on Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, and ONDC, so keeping it active is essential for online sellers.
The licence is now valid indefinitely, so there is no renewal; instead the annual fee must be paid each year to keep it active, and an unpaid annual fee leaves the licence deemed suspended. Manufacturers and larger businesses must file the annual return in Form D1 by 31 May each year, and units handling milk or milk products file Form D2 on a half-yearly basis. We do not guarantee approval or an exact turnaround, but we track every application to issuance and flag the annual fee and returns before they fall due.
Frequently asked questions
Do I file Form A or Form B for my food business?
File Form A if your annual turnover is below ₹1.5 crore, which qualifies you for a Basic Registration. File Form B if your turnover is ₹1.5 crore or more, or if you are an importer, exporter, e-commerce operator, or run premises in more than one state, which places you under a State or Central Licence.
Can I complete the FSSAI registration process myself?
Yes, the FoSCoS portal is open to applicants directly, but many businesses use a consultant to avoid rejections. The common pitfalls are selecting the wrong category, uploading documents that do not match the form, and missing a category-specific requirement. CAREALL prepares the filing, matches your documents, and tracks the application through to issuance.
How much does FSSAI registration cost?
The government fee is separate from any consultancy fee. For a Basic Registration the government fee is the lowest, while a State Licence is higher (it varies by capacity) and a Central Licence the highest (CAREALL shares your exact, all-in cost on WhatsApp before anything is filed). There is a one-time issuance fee, then a recurring annual fee to keep the licence active.
What is FoSCoS in the FSSAI process?
FoSCoS, the Food Safety Compliance System, is the official government portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in where all FSSAI registrations and licences are now applied for and managed. It has replaced the older FLRS system. Both Form A and Form B applications are filed, paid for, and tracked through FoSCoS.
How long is an FSSAI registration valid?
An FSSAI Basic Registration or a State or Central Licence is now valid indefinitely — there is no fixed term and no renewal. You keep it active by paying an annual fee each year on FoSCoS; if the annual fee is unpaid, the licence is deemed suspended and cannot be used until it is cleared.
This guide is kept current for 2026. It is general information, not legal advice — for your specific case, talk to a CAREALL consultant.