FSSAI State and Central Licence
Once a food business outgrows Basic Registration it needs a licence — State up to ₹20 crore of turnover, Central above it, and Central regardless of turnover if you import, export or operate across state lines.
- State Licence ₹2,000–₹5,000 per year
- Central Licence ₹7,500 per year
- Required for import, export and multi-state operations
- Valid one to five years, renewable
- Government fee from
- ₹7,500 per year
- Our fee from
- ₹6,999
- Typical timeline
- 30–60 days total
State or Central — which licence applies
A State Licence covers food businesses with annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore operating within a single state. It is granted by the State Food Safety Department on Form B, and the fee depends on what you do rather than what you earn — manufacturers pay more than retailers, and larger production capacity costs more than smaller.
A Central Licence is required where turnover exceeds ₹20 crore, and also regardless of turnover if you import or export food, operate in more than one state (for the head office), supply to central government agencies, run an e-commerce food business, or operate at an airport, seaport, or on the railways. It is granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India itself, at ₹7,500 per year.
A business operating in several states needs a Central Licence for its head office and a State Licence for each state where it has premises. This catches people out — the head office licence does not cover the branches, and each branch does not need its own central licence.
Licences carry real conditions. You are required to maintain hygiene standards under Schedule 4, keep records, have a qualified technical person where the scale requires it, and submit an annual return in Form D1 by 31 May for the preceding year. Manufacturers of milk and milk products additionally file a half-yearly return in Form D2.
What fssai state & central licence gives you
The practical advantages, not the marketing version.
Operate at scale lawfully
The correct licence tier is what allows turnover above ₹12 lakh, manufacturing and multi-state trade.
Import and export food
A Central Licence is a precondition for an IEC-based food import or export business.
Supply modern trade
Organised retail, institutional buyers and government supply contracts require the licence number on record.
List on e-commerce
E-commerce food businesses fall squarely within the Central Licence category.
Defensible on inspection
Schedule 4 compliance, records and a technical person turn an inspection into a formality.
Protects the brand
A licensed, audited supply chain is what stands between a quality incident and a recall you cannot answer for.
The process, step by step
Every stage, with realistic timelines — including the ones that depend on the registry rather than on us.
- 11–2 days
Determine tier and category
Turnover, activity, production capacity and geography decide whether you need a State or Central Licence, and which fee slab applies.
- 25–10 days
Prepare the technical file
Premises layout, equipment list, water test report, food safety management plan and the technical person's credentials are assembled.
- 31–2 days
File Form B on FoSCoS
The application is submitted with annexures and the fee for the chosen number of years.
- 420–40 days
Scrutiny and inspection
The authority reviews the file and typically inspects the premises. Deficiencies are notified and must be corrected within the time given.
- 57–15 days
Query resolution
Any shortfall in documentation or premises condition is addressed and evidence of correction filed.
- 630–60 days total
Licence granted
The licence with the fourteen-digit number is issued, subject to the ongoing conditions and annual return.
What you need to provide
Have these ready and the filing moves quickly. We tell you if anything is missing before we start.
Every licence application
- Form B, completed and signed
- Photo identity of the proprietor, partners or directors
- Proof of premises possession — ownership document or rent agreement
- Constitution document — incorporation certificate, partnership deed or LLP agreement
- List of directors or partners with addresses
- Food safety management system plan
Manufacturing and processing units
- Blueprint or layout of the premises with dimensions and area allocation
- List of equipment and machinery with capacity and horsepower
- Water analysis report from a recognised laboratory
- Production or processing capacity per day
- Name and qualification of the technical or production person
- Source of raw materials and details of milk or meat suppliers where relevant
Central Licence — additionally
- Import Export Code, for importers and exporters
- Ministry of Commerce certificate for exporters, where applicable
- NOC from the municipality or local body
- Turnover proof — audited accounts or a chartered accountant's certificate
- Details of every premises across states
Official FSSAI licence fees
These are statutory fees payable to the government, separate from our professional fee. We never mark them up.
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central Licence | ₹7,500 per year | All categories. Payable per year of validity chosen. |
| State Licence — manufacturer above 1 MT per day | ₹5,000 per year | Also 10,001–50,000 litres of milk per day. |
| State Licence — manufacturer below 1 MT per day | ₹3,000 per year | Also 501–10,000 litres of milk per day. |
| State Licence — hotels rated 3-star and above | ₹5,000 per year | Per premises. |
| State Licence — restaurants, caterers, clubs, canteens | ₹2,000 per year | All other food service providers. |
| State Licence — retailers, distributors, wholesalers, transporters | ₹2,000 per year | Marketers and food vending agencies included. |
| Modification of licence | One year's fee | Charged at the applicable annual rate. |
| Late renewal penalty | ₹100 per day | From expiry until the renewal is filed. |
Licences are issued for one to five years and the fee is the annual rate multiplied by the number of years. Renewal must be applied for before expiry — a lapsed licence means the business is operating unlicensed, not merely late. These slabs are set under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations and are revised from time to time; we confirm the current figure and the correct category before filing.
Transparent professional fees
Fixed fees, quoted upfront. Government fees are charged at cost and shown separately on every invoice.
State Licence
A single State Licence for one premises.
- Tier and fee-slab determination
- Form B preparation with annexures
- Layout and equipment schedule support
- Food safety management plan
- Inspection preparation and query handling
- Licence delivered
Central Licence
For importers, exporters, e-commerce and large turnover.
- Everything in State Licence
- Multi-state structure advice
- IEC and export documentation alignment
- Turnover certification support
- Central authority query handling
- Annual return calendar set up
Renewal & Annual Return
Keep an existing licence current.
- Renewal filed ahead of expiry
- Form D1 annual return by 31 May
- Form D2 half-yearly return for dairy units
- Modification filings where details change
Questions we get asked
If your question is not here, send it over — we answer directly rather than routing you to a form.
State or Central — how do I know which I need?
I have outlets in three states. How many licences?
How much does the licence cost per year?
Will they inspect my premises?
Do I need a qualified technical person?
What ongoing compliance comes with the licence?
Still unsure? Book a free consultation and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right service for you.
Ready to start your fssai state & central licence?
Talk to an IP professional first. No obligation, no sales script — just a clear view of where you stand and what it will cost.