## Quick Summary If you want to export food from India, getting an **FSSAI license for food export** is one of the core compliance steps you need to sort out early. Depending on your business model, you may need a **Central FSSAI License** — particularly if you are a 100% Export Oriented Unit, a large processor, or operate across multiple states ([Schedule 1, Licensing Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf)). Applications are filed through the [FoSCoS portal](https://foscos.fssai.gov.in). This guide explains which license type applies, what documents you need, how the online process works, what it costs, and which mistakes delay approval. --- ## What is an FSSAI License for Food Export? The **Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)** regulates food businesses under the [Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006](https://www.fssai.gov.in/cms/food-safety-and-standards-act-2006.php). Under [Section 31 and the Licensing and Registration Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf), every Food Business Operator must be registered or licensed. Whether you need a Central or State license depends on your specific business activity. Under [Schedule 1 of the Licensing Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf), the **Central Licensing Authority** covers defined categories such as 100% Export Oriented Units, all importers, food processors with installed capacity above 2 MT/day, and operators working across two or more states. If your export business falls under any of these categories, you file for a **Central FSSAI License** through [FoSCoS](https://foscos.fssai.gov.in). Other food exporters not covered by Schedule 1 apply for a **State License** through the same portal. Do not start the application until you have clearly identified your business model: manufacturer-exporter, merchant-exporter, or export-oriented unit. Choosing the wrong business activity or product category on FoSCoS is one of the easiest ways to delay approval. ### Why this license matters - It shows your business is legally recognized under India's food safety regime - It is often checked alongside your export documents and buyer onboarding paperwork - It supports traceability, labeling, hygiene, and compliance expectations in cross-border trade An IEC lets you trade across borders. An FSSAI license proves your food business is authorized to handle food legally in India. --- ## Which FSSAI License Type Applies? FSSAI has three broad licensing buckets. | License Type | Who It Is For | Basic Fee | Application Form | |---|---|---|---| | **Basic Registration** | Petty food businesses with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakh | ₹100 per year | Form A | | **State License** | Food businesses above ₹12 lakh but below Central thresholds | Varies by category | Form B | | **Central License** | Food businesses listed in [Schedule 1](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf): 100% EOUs, importers, processors above 2 MT/day, multi-state operators, and other specified categories | ₹7,500 per year | Form B | Your license type depends on which category your business falls under — not on export activity alone. Check [Schedule 1 of the Licensing Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf) to confirm whether Central or State licensing applies to your specific operation. ### Common exporter models | Exporter Type | How It Works | What Changes in Documentation | |---|---|---| | **Exporter-Manufacturer** | You produce the food and export it yourself | Layout plan, machinery details, water analysis, FSMS details become more important | | **Merchant-Exporter** | You source food from an Indian manufacturer and export under your own brand or trading firm | You usually need manufacturer details and, in many cases, an NOC or supporting authorization | | **Export-Oriented Unit (EOU)** | You operate as a recognized export-oriented unit | Additional unit-specific approvals may apply | A small spice trader in Kochi with only ₹8 lakh in turnover might assume Basic Registration is enough. But if the business is a recognized 100% Export Oriented Unit, or processes more than 2 MT/day, it falls under Schedule 1 and needs a Central License — regardless of turnover. Always check which Schedule 1 category, if any, applies to your operation before choosing a license type. --- ## Documents and Prerequisites Before you apply, get the basics in place. Most delays happen because the applicant starts FoSCoS first and document preparation later. If you still need your trade registration, start with this guide on [how to get IEC (Import Export Code)](/learn/how-to-get-iec-import-export-code) before you file the food license. ### What should your FSMS plan include? Many articles mention the FSMS plan but do not explain it. At a minimum, your plan should show: - how raw materials are received and checked - how products are stored, handled, and packed - hygiene and sanitation controls - pest control and cleaning practices - traceability and batch identification - complaint handling and recall process If you manufacture food, this document is not a formality. It tells the licensing authority how you control food safety in daily operations. ### Key prerequisites at a glance | Requirement | Why You Need It | |---|---| | **IEC** | Essential for cross-border trade and often needed before downstream export registrations | | **Business proof** | Confirms who is applying and under which legal entity | | **Premises details** | FSSAI licensing is premise-based | | **Product clarity** | Wrong food category selection can trigger objections or rejection | | **FSMS readiness** | Helps during scrutiny and inspection | If you are a merchant-exporter, collect product specifications, labels, and manufacturer authorization before filing. If the licensing authority requests additional information, you have only 30 days to respond — failing which the application is rejected (Regulation 2.1.4). If you are setting up as a small manufacturer or MSME exporter, it also helps to understand [what Udyam Registration is](/learn/what-is-udyam-registration) so your compliance stack is organized before you approach buyers and agencies. --- ## Step-by-Step FSSAI License for Export Process The application is filed online through [FoSCoS](https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/apply-for-lic-and-reg). ### Step 1: Check eligibility and select the right business activity Visit FoSCoS and choose **Apply for License/Registration**. Select your state, then identify the correct kind of business and activity. Export businesses should be extra careful here because a wrong selection affects both the license category and the document list. ### Step 2: Fill Form B carefully Form B is used for license applications. You will enter: - entity and communication details - premises address - food category details - installed capacity, if you manufacture - partner, director, or proprietor details Make sure the business name, address, and entity type match your supporting documents exactly. ### Step 3: Upload documents Upload the required proofs, declarations, and technical documents. If you are a manufacturer, expect more scrutiny on layout plan, water report, and FSMS controls. If you are a merchant-exporter, your sourcing trail should be easy to explain. ### Step 4: Pay the government fee The Central License government fee is **₹7,500 per year** ([Schedule 3, Licensing Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf)). License validity can be chosen for **1 to 5 years**, so the total government fee depends on the duration you select. ### Step 5: Scrutiny and inspection Under [Regulation 2.1.4](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf), the licensing authority must issue the license within **60 days** from the date a complete application ID is assigned. During this period, the authority may request additional information or order a premises inspection. Incomplete applications — where the applicant fails to respond within the stipulated 30 days — are rejected outright. ### Step 6: Download the license and display it Once approved, download the license from FoSCoS and keep a copy displayed at the premises. The license is not just for customs-facing paperwork. It must also match your actual operating setup on the ground. --- ## Fees, Validity, and Renewal Rules Here is the cost picture for a Central FSSAI License, based on [Schedule 3 of the Licensing Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf). | Validity Chosen | Government Fee | |---|---| | **1 year** | ₹7,500 | | **2 years** | ₹15,000 | | **3 years** | ₹22,500 | | **4 years** | ₹30,000 | | **5 years** | ₹37,500 | ### How long is the license valid? The license can be taken for **1 to 5 years**. Many exporters choose a longer validity if the product line and premises are stable, because it reduces repeat filing work. ### When should you renew? Under [Regulation 2.1.7](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf), renewal must be filed **not later than 30 days before the expiry date**. Applications filed after this deadline but before expiry must include a **late fee of ₹100 per day** of delay. If renewal is not filed within the allowed period (no later than 30 days after expiry), the license lapses and you must apply fresh before restarting operations. Do not treat renewal as a last-week task. Once the expiry date is too close, daily late fees start adding up. If renewal is not filed within the allowed period, your business is expected to stop food activity at that premises until a fresh license is obtained. ### One more compliance point most exporters miss The licensing regulations also require licensees to file an annual return by **31st May** each year. Under the regulations, any delay beyond this date attracts a penalty of **₹100 per day**. If you are building a serious export business, put license renewal and return filing into the same compliance calendar. --- ## Common Mistakes to Avoid **Assuming low turnover means Basic Registration is enough.** Export activity changes the compliance picture. Do not decide the license type only from turnover. **Selecting the wrong food category on FoSCoS.** This is one of the most common reasons applications get sent back for clarification. **Submitting a weak FSMS plan.** A one-page generic note is rarely enough for a manufacturing exporter. Your controls should match your actual process. **Using mismatched entity details.** If your PAN, incorporation document, address proof, and application form do not line up, expect queries. **Ignoring follow-up registrations.** FSSAI is necessary, but for many exporters it is not the only registration. --- ## Beyond FSSAI: What Else Might You Need? FSSAI is a core food-business compliance requirement, but many food exporters need one or more additional registrations depending on the product. | Registration | When It Matters | Official Reference | |---|---|---| | **IEC** | Required for import-export trade generally | [DGFT](https://www.dgft.gov.in/) | | **APEDA RCMC** | For scheduled agricultural and processed food products | [APEDA RCMC](https://apeda.gov.in/RCMC) | | **Spices Board CRES** | For exporters dealing in spices | [Spices Board CRES](https://indianspices.com/spice-news/certificate-registration-exporter-spicescres) | | **Destination-country certificates** | For market-specific health, labeling, or phytosanitary requirements | Depends on product and country | For example, APEDA states that exporters of scheduled products must obtain RCMC through the DGFT e-RCMC route. Spices exporters may also need registration with the Spices Board. So the right question is not only "Do I have FSSAI?" but also "What else does my product and buyer market require?" --- --- ## Official Resources - [FSSAI Registration and Licensing Overview](https://www.fssai.gov.in/cms/registration.php) - [FoSCoS License Application Portal](https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/apply-for-lic-and-reg) - [Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations](https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Licensing_Regulations.pdf) - [APEDA RCMC Guidance](https://apeda.gov.in/RCMC) ## Related Articles - [BIS Certification for Products: Complete Guide for Manufacturers](/learn/bis-certification-for-products) - Useful if you also deal with regulated manufactured products or adjacent compliance requirements --- *FSSAI procedures, fees, and document requirements can change over time. Always verify your exact eligibility and current filing requirements on the official [FoSCoS portal](https://foscos.fssai.gov.in) before submitting the application.*

Foscos

FSSAI License for Food Export: Types, Process, Costs