FSSAI Registration
Food import/export licence
FSSAI registration, manufacturing licence, central licence — full application support for food importers and exporters.
FSSAI licence is mandatory for any food business operator in India — manufacturer, processor, packer, distributor, retailer, importer, exporter. Food includes packaged food, beverages, supplements, ayurvedic products marketed as food, dairy, meat, seafood, spices, and even bottled water. Without FSSAI, customs holds food imports indefinitely and domestic FBOs face penalties.
FSSAI has three tiers: Registration (small operators, turnover under INR 12 lakh), State Licence (turnover INR 12 lakh - INR 20 crore, single state), Central Licence (turnover above INR 20 crore, multi-state, importer, large manufacturer). WCL files all three tiers, with particular depth in Central Licence for food importers — the trigger that lets customs clear food imports.
Particular focus on: food importer Central Licence, food exporter Central Licence, manufacturer Central Licence (multi-state), nutraceutical / ayurvedic-as-food licence (where the product straddles food and AYUSH categories), and the FSSAI Schedule-2 / Schedule-4 product approvals for novel ingredients.
Everything we cover for FSSAI Registration
Our process — step by step
Eligibility classification
We classify the business per FSSAI tiers — Registration, State, Central. Most importers and multi-state operators need Central.
Documentation prep
Application form (Form A / B), company KYC, premises layout, machinery list, food safety plan, product list with categories, manufacturer details (for importers).
Filing on FoSCoS portal
Application submitted on FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) with all uploads.
Inspection (if required)
For manufacturer Central Licence: factory inspection by FSSAI Food Safety Officer. We accompany and respond to observations.
Licence grant & ongoing compliance
Licence granted typically 30-60 days. We set up annual return reminders, licence renewal 30 days before expiry, and labelling compliance for each new product.
Why exporters / importers pick us for FSSAI Registration
- FSSAI desk filed 200+ applications across importer / exporter / manufacturer tiers
- Direct FSSAI regional office relationships in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad
- Combined CHA + FSSAI = food import NOC released BEFORE BoE filing
- Labelling compliance pre-checked (we catch label errors that would otherwise cause rejection at port)
What we'll typically need
Questions clients ask us about FSSAI Registration
What's the difference between FSSAI Registration and Licence?
Registration: small operators with turnover under INR 12 lakh — basic. State Licence: turnover INR 12 lakh - INR 20 crore, single state. Central Licence: turnover above INR 20 crore, importer, exporter, multi-state, or hotel/restaurant chain. Each higher tier has stricter documentation and inspection requirements.
Do I need FSSAI to import food?
Yes — Central Licence as Importer is mandatory for any food importer, regardless of volume. The licence number gets quoted on the BoE and customs releases food shipments only after FSSAI Port Office clearance.
Can you do FSSAI labelling compliance check?
Yes — front-of-pack nutrition (HFSS), ingredient list order, allergen declaration, FSSAI logo + licence number placement, veg/non-veg mark, date of manufacture, best-before, country of origin. We catch label errors BEFORE printing.
How long does Central Licence take?
Typically 30-60 days. Manufacturer Central Licence (with factory inspection): 45-90 days. Importer Central Licence: 30-45 days. We can expedite via FSSAI's Tatkal route in genuine business-critical cases.
Ready to move on this?
Tell us the shipment specifics — we'll turn around a binding quote in under 4 working hours.