# FSSAI Central Licence

> An FSSAI central licence is needed by food businesses with annual turnover above ₹50 crore (from 1 April 2026), and by importers and some other activities regardless of turnover. It is issued by FSSAI's central licensing authority through FoSCoS, with a government fee of ₹7,500 a year.

Practice: FSSAI Food Licence — https://www.industax.com/services/fssai/

The central licence is FSSAI's top tier. Turnover is the main test since the April 2026 revision, but certain activities are central-category whatever their size — food import is the most common example — and businesses operating in more than one state often need a central licence for their head office.

Applications go to the central licensing authority (a FSSAI regional office) through FoSCoS. Manufacturing units must submit a food safety management plan and laboratory test reports, and premises can be inspected before grant.

Because the central licence carries the most scrutiny, product categorisation, the FSMS plan and the technical documents need to be right before filing; corrections later mean a modification application.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Turnover band (from 1 Apr 2026) | Above ₹50 crore |
| Always central | Food importers and other notified central-category activities |
| Government fee | ₹7,500 per year |
| Issued by | Central Licensing Authority (FSSAI regional office) |
| Annual return | Form D-1 by 31 May for manufacturers, importers, exporters, repackers and relabellers |

## Who needs this

- Food businesses with turnover above ₹50 crore
- Importers of food and food ingredients
- Head offices of food businesses operating in two or more states
- Large manufacturers, exporters and e-commerce food operators in the central category

## What's included

- Central vs state eligibility assessment
- FSMS plan and technical documentation
- Product categorisation and FoSCoS filing
- Coordination with the regional office and inspection support
- D-1 annual return and annual fee tracking

## Documents

- Form B signed by the authorised signatory
- Board resolution / authorisation and nomination of a person under Section 17 (companies)
- IEC (for importers) and premises proof
- Layout plan, equipment list and production capacity (manufacturers)
- Food safety management system plan
- Recall plan and water / product test reports where applicable

## Process

1. **Category check** — We confirm whether turnover or activity puts you in the central category.
2. **Technical file** — FSMS plan, recall plan, test reports and product list assembled.
3. **Filing** — Central application filed on FoSCoS with the ₹7,500 annual fee.
4. **Queries and inspection** — We respond to the regional office and support any inspection.
5. **Ongoing compliance** — Annual fee, D-1 return and modifications tracked.

## Also covers

- **FSSAI licence for food exporters** — Exporters apply through the central licence route; see our import–export licence page for IEC and port clearance.

## FAQs

### Does every importer need a central licence?

Yes. Food importers need a central licence regardless of turnover, along with an IEC for customs and FICS import clearance for each consignment.

### What is the fee for an FSSAI central licence?

₹7,500 per year per premises.

### We have plants in two states. Do we need a central licence?

Each plant needs its own licence based on its own turnover and activity. Businesses operating in more than one state typically also need a central licence for the head office.

### Is a laboratory test report required?

For manufacturing applications FSSAI may ask for product and water test reports from an NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified laboratory; we tell you which apply to your products.

## Official sources

- FoSCoS — FSSAI licensing portal: https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India: https://www.fssai.gov.in/

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Canonical page: https://www.industax.com/services/fssai/fssai-central-licence
Publisher: Indus Tax — CA-led tax and compliance firm (https://www.industax.com). Contact: info@industax.com, 9059139258.
This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.