FSSAI State & Central Licence
The full food licence required once turnover or scale crosses the basic registration threshold.
Once a food business grows past the smallest tier, Basic Registration is no longer enough. A State Licence is required for annual turnover above ₹12 lakh and up to ₹20 crore where you operate within one state, and a Central Licence above that or wherever you cross state lines.
The licence carries heavier obligations than a registration — a documented food safety plan, in some cases a technical person on staff, and annual returns. It also carries much greater weight with institutional buyers, distributors and marketplaces.
What this costs
State / Central
₹3,704 plus GST
- Document Collection & Verification
- Application Preparation & Form Submission
- FSSAI Portal Filing Assistance
- Government Fee Payment Coordination
- Any query raised by the department answered for you
- License Certificate Delivery
State Licence or Central Licence
- State Licence — turnover above ₹12 lakh up to ₹20 crore, operating within a single state
- Central Licence — turnover above ₹20 crore
- Central Licence — operations in more than one state, regardless of turnover
- Central Licence — importers and exporters of food
- Central Licence — e-commerce food business operators
- Central Licence — operators at ports, airports, railway premises and defence establishments
What the licence requires of you
- A food safety management plan documenting your hazard controls
- A technical person or food safety supervisor, for certain categories
- Premises meeting the hygiene and sanitary requirements in the Act’s schedules
- Water potability testing reports, where water is used in processing
- Medical fitness certificates for food handlers
- Annual return in Form D1, for manufacturers and importers
- The licence number displayed at the premises and on every package
Where applications go wrong
The most common cause of rejection is a mismatch between the food categories selected and what the premises are actually equipped to handle. The inspector checks the layout against the categories claimed.
The second most common is an incomplete layout plan or an absent water test report. Both are avoidable, and both restart the clock when they are picked up at inspection rather than before filing.
How we handle it
- 1 Determining the tier We confirm whether a State or Central Licence applies, based on turnover, footprint and the nature of the operation.
- 2 Preparing the technical set Layout plan, equipment list, food categories and the safety management plan are prepared to the standard the inspector expects.
- 3 Filing on FoSCoS Form B and the annexures are filed on the portal with the government fee for your chosen term.
- 4 Inspection The designated officer inspects the premises. We tell you in advance what will be checked.
- 5 Answering observations Where the inspector records observations, we prepare the compliance response within the time allowed.
- 6 Licence issued The licence is issued with your fourteen-digit number, and we set the renewal and annual return reminders.
Frequently asked questions
When do I move from Basic Registration to a State Licence?
When annual turnover crosses ₹12 lakh. You should upgrade rather than continue on a registration, since operating above your tier is a compliance breach.
Do I need a licence for each location?
Yes. Each premises requires its own licence. Operating premises in more than one state means a Central Licence in addition to the state-level licences.
Is a food safety supervisor mandatory?
For many licence categories, yes. A trained supervisor under the recognised training scheme is required, and the number depends on the scale of the operation.
What is the annual return?
Form D1, filed annually by manufacturers and importers reporting the quantities handled. It is separate from the licence renewal and is commonly overlooked.
How long is the licence valid?
One to five years, at your choice. Renewal must be applied for before expiry, and a late application attracts a per-day fee.
What is not included. Government fees, statutory charges, stamp duty, court and registry fees, digital signature costs and any third-party professional charges are separate and payable at actuals. GST applies on professional fees where indicated. Prices shown are indicative and may change without notice; we confirm the total in writing before any work begins — see our terms on pricing.
Talk to us about FSSAI State & Central Licence
Share your requirement and our team will confirm the documents needed, the exact charges and a realistic timeline — usually the same working day.
- Expert document checking before submission
- Regular status updates on WhatsApp
- Transparent professional charges
- Assistance in Marathi & English
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