FSSAI Central License in India: Eligibility, Fees, Documents and Online Registration

What Is an FSSAI Central License?

An FSSAI central license is the highest category of food licence in India, granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India itself through its regional offices, rather than by a state food safety department. It is issued on Form C after an application on Form B under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. In India, central licence applications are filed on ONDLS or your state drug licensing portal and decided by the State Drug Licensing Authority.

A central license FSSAI grants is needed in two situations. The first is size: from 1 April 2026, a food business with annual turnover above ₹50 crore needs a central licence. The second is the kind of business: importers, e-commerce food business operators, merchant exporters, 100% export-oriented units, five-star and higher hotels, the head offices of businesses operating in more than one state, and certain other categories need a central licence whatever their turnover.

The central licence covers one premises and the food categories listed on it. Like every FSSAI licence issued from April 2026, it has perpetual validity: there is no renewal, but the annual fee of ₹7,500 must be paid, and manufacturers and importers must file the annual return on Form D-1.

Who Needs an FSSAI Central License in India?

• Food importers bringing any food, ingredient, additive or supplement into India
• E-commerce food business operators, meaning the platforms and marketplaces themselves
• Merchant exporters and 100% export-oriented units
• Large manufacturers, processors, distributors and retail chains with turnover above ₹50 crore
• Multi-state businesses, for their registered or head office
• Five-star and higher hotels
• Food businesses at central government premises such as airports, seaports and some central government agencies
• Manufacturers of some special categories, such as health supplements and nutraceuticals, proprietary foods and other non-standardised products, where the FoSCoS kind-of-business list places them under central jurisdiction

If you are not sure which list you fall into, Regovex checks your kind of business against the current FoSCoS list before you apply. Applying for a central licence when a state licence is enough costs more every year; applying for a state licence when a central one is required means the application is rejected or the licence is invalid for your activity.

FSSAI Central License Eligibility in 2026

FSSAI central license eligibility is decided by turnover, by the kind of business, or by both. The turnover limits were revised by FSSAI's order of 13 March 2026, effective 1 April 2026.

The turnover test

A food business with annual turnover above ₹50 crore needs a central licence. Before April 2026 the limit was ₹20 crore, so many businesses with turnover between ₹20 crore and ₹50 crore now fall under a state licence instead. Turnover is the turnover of the business at that premises, so a large brand's small outlet may need only a state licence or registration.

The kind-of-business test

Some activities need a central licence at any turnover. Based on the FoSCoS kind-of-business list, these include:

The FoSCoS list is updated from time to time, and some high-capacity units, such as large dairy, meat or vegetable oil plants, have also been placed under central jurisdiction by capacity. We confirm the current position for your exact kind of business before filing.

Multi-state businesses

A business with units in two or more states needs a central licence for its registered or head office. Each manufacturing unit, warehouse or outlet then needs its own registration, state licence or central licence, depending on that unit's turnover and kind of business. A restaurant chain in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, for example, might hold one central licence for its head office and basic registrations for each outlet.

Difference Between FSSAI State and Central License

The difference between FSSAI state and central license comes down to who grants it, who needs it and what it costs:

In short, a state licence covers mid-sized businesses working within one state, and a central licence covers the largest businesses and those whose activity crosses state or national borders. See our State FSSAI License page if you fall in the state band.

Moving from central to state under the 2026 limits

FSSAI's FAQs of 27 March 2026 say businesses are migrated automatically on FoSCoS based on their self-declared turnover, with the same licence number and no modification fee. A business that no longer needs a central licence by turnover, and is not in a central-only category, will move to state jurisdiction. Importers and other central-only categories stay central whatever their turnover. We check your declared turnover and kind of business so the migration is correct.

Documents Required for FSSAI Central License

The documents required for FSSAI central license depend on your kind of business. The core set applies to everyone; manufacturers, importers and e-commerce operators add documents specific to their activity. Every document must show the same legal name and premises address as Form B.

Core documents for every central licence

• Form B, completed and signed by the proprietor, a partner or an authorised director
• Photo identity and address proof of the proprietor, partners or directors
• Proof of possession of the premises: sale deed, rent or lease agreement, or utility bill, with the owner's NOC where rented
• Constitution proof: partnership deed, certificate of incorporation with memorandum and articles, or society or trust registration
• List of directors or partners with full addresses, contact details and photo ID
• Nomination of a responsible person (Form IX) with a board resolution, for companies
• List of food categories to be handled
• Food Safety Management System plan or certificate
• Proof of turnover, such as audited accounts or a CA certificate, where turnover is the basis of the central licence

Additional documents for manufacturers and processors

• Layout plan or blueprint of the processing unit, showing dimensions and operation-wise areas
• List of equipment and machinery with number, installed capacity and horsepower
• Water analysis report from an NABL-accredited or public health laboratory, for water used in processing
• Source and procurement plan for milk, meat or other raw material, where applicable
• Product recall plan
• Pesticide residue report for packaged drinking water or mineral water units, where applicable
• NOC from the municipality or panchayat, or other local clearances where required

Additional documents for importers and exporters

• Import Export Code (IEC) issued by DGFT
• Details of the products and countries of origin
• Details of storage premises where imported food will be held
• For 100% EOUs, the EOU or SEZ approval

Additional documents for e-commerce operators and head offices

• E-commerce operators: details of the platform, and the arrangements for checking that listed sellers are FSSAI-registered or licensed
• Multi-state head offices: list of all units in different states with their registration or licence numbers
• Five-star hotels: star classification certificate from the Ministry of Tourism
• Transporters: list of vehicles with registration numbers, if transport is part of the activity

How we prepare the file

Regovex sends a checklist for your exact kind of business, reviews each document against Form B, and flags anything the central licensing authority usually queries: an address that differs between the lease and the utility bill, an unsigned Form IX, a layout plan without dimensions or an expired water report. Getting this right before filing is what keeps a central licence on the 60-day track.

The Food Safety Management System plan

The FSMS plan is the document central licensing officers read most closely, because it shows how the business will actually keep food safe. A good plan is specific to the premises and the products. It covers the flow of materials from receipt to dispatch, the hazards at each step (biological, chemical and physical), the critical control points and their limits, how each is monitored and recorded, what happens when a limit is crossed, cleaning and pest control schedules, supplier approval, product testing, traceability and recall. For importers and traders, the plan focuses on supplier checks, storage conditions, stock rotation and recall. A certificate under a recognised scheme such as FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000 can support the plan but does not replace it. Regovex drafts or reviews the FSMS plan so it matches your layout plan, equipment list and food categories.

Checklist before you apply

• Turnover and kind of business confirmed as central, not state
• Every premises listed, with the right licence or registration for each
• Legal name and address identical on Form B, lease or deed, and utility bill
• Owner's NOC attached for rented premises
• Form IX signed and board resolution attached for companies
• Layout plan with dimensions, equipment list and current water report (manufacturers)
• IEC and list of imported food categories (importers)
• FSMS plan specific to the premises
• Food categories complete, including products planned for the next year

FSSAI Central License Online: Application Process

Every application for an FSSAI central license online goes through ONDLS or your state drug licensing portal. There is no offline route. In India, the application is examined by the State Drug Licensing Authority.

FSSAI central license registration, step by step

1. Confirm eligibility. Check turnover and kind of business, and decide whether you need a central licence, a state licence or both for different premises.
2. Select the kind of business and food categories on FoSCoS. These decide the documents asked for and the fee.
3. Prepare Form B and the documents, including the layout plan, equipment list and water report for manufacturers, or the IEC for importers.
4. Create the FoSCoS account for the applicant and fill the application.
5. Upload the documents and pay the fee online, for one or more years.
6. Reply to queries. The central licensing authority may raise queries; replies are due within 30 days, and late or incomplete replies can lead to rejection.
7. Inspection, if ordered. FSSAI officers may inspect the premises, especially for manufacturers and high-risk foods.
8. Grant of licence. The licence is issued on Form C with a 14-digit number, downloadable from FoSCoS.

For the fssai central license registration of a multi-state business, the head office licence and each unit's licence or registration are separate applications, often to different authorities. We file them in the right order so the head office licence lists every unit.

Timeline

The licensing authority must grant or reject a complete application within 60 days, and may order an inspection within that period. Time spent waiting for your reply to a query is not counted. Document preparation usually takes one to three weeks before filing, more for manufacturers who need a layout plan or water test.

FSSAI Central License Fees in 2026

The FSSAI central license fees are ₹7,500 per year for the central licence. Since April 2026 licences have perpetual validity, so this is an annual fee rather than a renewal fee, and FoSCoS lets you pay for any number of years at once. The fee is paid online to FSSAI at the time of application and then each year.

The exact fee for your kind of business is shown on FoSCoS before payment, and we confirm it in your quote. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing.

Worked example

A food importer in India with turnover of ₹8 crore needs a central licence because it imports, even though its turnover is in the state band. Paying for three years at once costs ₹22,500 in government fees. A packaged snack manufacturer with ₹40 crore turnover and no imports, which held a central licence under the old ₹20 crore limit, now falls in the state band and is migrated to a state licence at its kind-of-business fee; we confirm with FoSCoS how the extra fee already paid is adjusted.

After the Central Licence: Staying Compliant in India

A central licence that never expires still has to be kept active and accurate. FSSAI officers check these points on inspection, and under the 2026 risk-based system, businesses with a weak compliance record are inspected more often.

Annual fee instead of renewal

There is no FSSAI central license renewal for licences issued from 1 April 2026. Instead, pay the ₹7,500 annual fee on FoSCoS, for one or several years at once. A lapsed fee puts the licence at risk of suspension, which for an importer can stop consignments at the port. Licences issued before April 2026 with a renewal application already filed are completed under the old rules and then carry perpetual validity. We track every client's fee date.

Annual return on Form D-1

Central licence holders who manufacture or import food must file Form D-1 on FoSCoS by 31 May each year, covering the previous financial year's quantity and value by food category. The late fee is ₹100 per day. See our FSSAI Annual Returns service.

Imports: clearance at the port

Each food consignment is cleared by FSSAI's authorised officer at the port, through the Food Import Clearance System, against the importer's central licence. The product's food category must be on the licence, labels must meet Indian labelling rules or be corrected with a sticker in a customs-bonded warehouse where allowed, and the importer's name, address and FSSAI licence number must appear before sale. Samples may be drawn and tested before release.

Labelling and display

• Display the licence at the premises in a prominent place.
• Print the FSSAI logo and the 14-digit licence number on every label.
• Show the licence number on invoices and bills.
• E-commerce operators must display each seller's FSSAI number and ensure listed products carry required label information.

Modifications

A new food category, a new address or additional premises, a change in installed capacity, a new director or a change in company structure needs a modification on FoSCoS before the change. For importers, adding a new food category before the first consignment of that category is essential.

Hygiene, testing and trained staff

Central licence holders must follow the hygiene and sanitary practices in Schedule 4, keep a Food Safety Management System, appoint a FoSTaC-trained Food Safety Supervisor, test products at an FSSAI-notified laboratory as required, and keep records of complaints, recalls and supplier approvals. High-risk categories such as dairy, meat, fish, packaged drinking water and infant food face closer checks.

Inspections under the risk-based system

The 2026 amendment introduced computer-assisted, risk-based inspection. How often FSSAI inspects a central licence holder depends on the type of food, the business's compliance history, surveillance and testing results, self-compliance filings and third-party audits. A business with clean records and timely returns is inspected less often; one with failed samples or late filings is inspected more. During an inspection, officers usually check the licence and its food categories, hygiene against Schedule 4, the FSMS plan, records of raw material, production, testing, complaints and recalls, and the trained Food Safety Supervisor.

Avoiding suspension or cancellation

A central licence can be suspended if the business fails to comply with an improvement notice, and cancelled after continued non-compliance. An unpaid annual fee also puts the licence at risk. The practical safeguards are simple: pay the fee ahead, file Form D-1 on time, keep the food categories and premises on the licence up to date, act quickly on any improvement notice, and keep test reports and records ready for inspection.

A Typical FSSAI Central License Timeline

Every file is different, but a central licence for a manufacturer or importer with documents in order usually runs like this:

The 60 days is the outer limit in the rules, not a promise; fast, complete replies to queries keep the file moving.

Central Licence by Type of Business

E-commerce food business operators

An e-commerce food business operator, meaning the platform or marketplace, needs a central licence for its registered office whatever its turnover. FSSAI's e-commerce guidelines also require the platform to list only sellers that hold a valid FSSAI registration or licence, show each seller's number and key label information on the listing, and remove products found unsafe. Sellers on the platform need their own registration or licence for their premises. Quick-commerce dark stores that hold stock are treated as storage or retail premises and need their own registration or licence too.

Exporters and 100% export-oriented units

Merchant exporters and 100% EOUs need a central licence for their export activity. Food made only for export must meet the importing country's requirements, but the unit still follows Indian hygiene and licensing rules while it operates in India. If an exporter also sells in India, the domestic products must meet Indian standards and labelling rules.

Health supplement, nutraceutical and proprietary food manufacturers

Manufacturers of health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use and many proprietary foods are placed under central jurisdiction on FoSCoS. Their products must also stay within FSSAI's limits on ingredients, doses and claims. Products that make treatment claims can fall under drug law instead, which is where our drug regulatory experience helps classify borderline products.

Hotels, airports, seaports and central government premises

Five-star and higher hotels need a central licence for their food operations. Food businesses operating at airports, seaports and some central government premises are also licensed centrally. Caterers and outlets at these locations should check the FoSCoS kind of business that applies before applying.

Central Licence for Food Importers

Importers are the largest group of central licence holders at lower turnovers, because no food can be cleared at an Indian port without one. Before the first shipment, the importer should hold a central licence with the import kind of business and every food category it plans to bring in, have its storage premises covered, and check that the product meets Indian standards and labelling rules. Products that are not standardised in India, such as some novel ingredients or supplements, may need separate product approval from FSSAI before import. Regovex aligns the licence, the product list and the labels before the goods are shipped, so consignments are not held at the port.

Common imported categories we add to central licences include dry fruits and nuts, spices, edible oils, chocolates and confectionery, beverages, dairy ingredients, food additives and flavours, and health supplement ingredients. Some animal-origin products, such as fish, meat or dairy, may also need a sanitary import permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying before shipment, which we can arrange alongside the central licence. Planning both together avoids a consignment arriving with only half its paperwork.

FICS FSSAI: Food Import Clearance System

Once your central licence is in place, every food consignment still has to be cleared at the port. FICS FSSAI, the Food Import Clearance System, is FSSAI's online system for this. It works alongside the customs single window: the importer or its customs broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE through SWIFT, customs' risk management system decides whether the consignment needs food safety checks, and if it does, the Bill of Entry is sent to FSSAI on FICS for clearance by an FSSAI authorised officer at the port. FSSAI has also been rolling out single sign-on between the customs and FSSAI systems at ports, so that officers and traders move between them more smoothly.

FSSAI import login: who registers and what you need

The FSSAI import login is the importer's or customs broker's account on FICS. To register and use it, you need an Importer Exporter Code from DGFT and an FSSAI licence with import as the kind of business, which in practice is the central licence covered on this page. Many importers let their customs broker file and track consignments from the broker's own FICS account; others keep their own login to follow every Bill of Entry. Either way, keep the licence details, the food categories on the licence and the details on the Bill of Entry consistent, because a mismatch is a common reason for a consignment to be held.

FSSAI import clearance: step by step

FSSAI import clearance for a consignment referred to FSSAI usually follows these steps:

1. Bill of Entry filed on ICEGATE through SWIFT, with the licence, invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, ingredients list, specimen label and, for proprietary foods, a certificate of analysis.
2. Referral to FSSAI on FICS where customs' risk system calls for food safety checks.
3. Document scrutiny by FSSAI, which may ask for more details.
4. Visual inspection by the authorised officer, on an appointment the importer or broker must confirm in time.
5. Sampling, usually two samples, if the labelling and packaging pass the visual check; a consignment that fails the visual check can be rejected at this stage.
6. Testing at an FSSAI-notified food laboratory.
7. No Objection Certificate (NOC) if the samples conform, after which customs releases the goods; or a Non-Conforming Report if they do not.

Sampling fees, shelf life and labelling at import

FSSAI's import FAQs list sampling and testing charges of ₹5,000 per sample for most foods, and ₹12,000 per sample for infant nutrition products and packaged drinking and mineral water, paid online. Imported food must have at least 60% of its shelf life remaining at the time of import. Labels must be in English or Hindi and meet the packaging and labelling regulations; certain gaps, such as the importer's name and address, the FSSAI logo and licence number, and the veg or non-veg symbol, can be corrected with a single non-detachable sticker applied in a customs bonded warehouse before clearance.

If a sample fails

If a sample is found non-conforming, the importer can ask for retesting at a referral laboratory and file a review with FSSAI's Review Officer, and the Review Officer's decision can be challenged before FSSAI's chief executive. Rejected consignments are usually re-exported or destroyed under supervision. Most failures come from labelling gaps, additives not permitted in India or products that do not meet an Indian standard, all of which can be checked before shipment. Regovex reviews labels and product specifications against Indian rules before your first consignment ships.

Common Mistakes in Central Licence Applications

• Using the old ₹20 crore limit. A business between ₹20 crore and ₹50 crore with no central-only activity now needs a state licence, which costs less each year.
• Missing a central-only activity. A mid-sized business that starts importing even one ingredient needs a central licence for that activity.
• Wrong kind of business. Filing as a "trader" instead of an "importer", or a "manufacturer" instead of a "relabeller", draws queries and can make the licence wrong for the activity.
• Food categories left out. Every category to be made, imported or sold must be on the licence.
• Head office licence without the unit list. A multi-state head office should list its units and their numbers.
• Late or partial query replies. The 60-day clock pauses while you reply, and an unanswered query can lead to rejection.

How to Choose an FSSAI Central License Consultant

1. Do they apply the 2026 limits and perpetual validity rules? Many still quote ₹20 crore and renewals.
2. Who decides your kind of business and food categories? This drives the jurisdiction and the fee.
3. Can they handle imports end to end: licence, categories, labels and port clearance support?
4. Do they file Form D-1 and track the annual fee?
5. Is the government fee shown separately from their fee?

Why Businesses in India Choose Regovex for Their FSSAI Central License

• Eligibility checked first, using the 2026 turnover limits and the FoSCoS kind-of-business list, so you do not pay for a central licence you do not need
• Complete Form B files for manufacturers, importers, e-commerce operators and multi-state head offices
• Query replies within 24–48 hours and follow-up with the central licensing authority until the licence is issued
• Import support: food categories, labels and documents aligned before the first consignment
• Annual fee, Form D-1 and modification tracking, so your perpetual licence stays active
• Food, drug, cosmetic and device expertise together, useful for nutraceuticals and borderline products
• Transparent pricing, with government and professional fees shown separately in writing
• 99.8% approval rate across 100+ clients, rated 4.9/5 in verified client feedback

As an FSSAI registration consultant and drug regulatory consultant in India, Regovex Consulting handles every FSSAI category, from basic registration to central licence, with one point of contact.

FSSAI Central License Services in India and Nearby Areas

Regovex helps importers, exporters, e-commerce platforms, large manufacturers, hotel groups and multi-state food brands in India. Applications are filed on ONDLS or your state drug licensing portal and examined by the State Drug Licensing Authority. Documents are collected digitally, and we support inspections where the authority orders one.

We also serve food businesses in .

Related services:

• FSSAI Registration in India
• State FSSAI License
• FSSAI Annual Returns (Form D-1)
• Fortified Foods Approval
• Sanitary Import Permit (SIP)

What Our Clients Say

"Got my approval in committed time with complete transparency and zero hassle." — Baburam, Samarpaan Cloud Kitchen (FSSAI food license)

"I had great experience working with Regovex Consulting on the regulatory side of my product. Since the product category was relatively new and the guidelines were not very clearly defined, it required additional research and careful interpretation of the regulations." — Parichit Dhawan, Director, Feorah Wellness & Cosmetics

Food and import clients include Astro Foods, Astro Naturelles, Sonia Fisheries, Hunger Stop and Project Life, across FSSAI licences and sanitary import permits.