# FSSAI Licence for Distributors, Wholesalers & Retailers

> Food distributors, wholesalers, retailers and storage operators need FSSAI basic registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover and a state licence from ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore (central above ₹50 crore). Traders do not file the D-1 annual return, but each shop or warehouse needs its own registration or licence and must meet storage and hygiene standards.

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

Traders handle food they did not make, so FSSAI's focus is on storage, temperature control, pest control and traceability — knowing which supplier each batch came from and to whom it was sold.

Warehouses and cold storages need FSSAI coverage for the storage activity. Distributors of branded products should check that every supplier's licence covers the products they buy, because selling unlicensed or misbranded food exposes the distributor too.

Unlike manufacturers and importers, pure traders, distributors, wholesalers and retailers generally do not file the D-1 annual return, but the annual fee must still be paid.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Up to ₹1.5 crore | Basic registration |
| ₹1.5–50 crore | State licence |
| Above ₹50 crore | Central licence |
| Annual return | Not required for pure traders, distributors and retailers |
| Per premises | Each shop, depot and warehouse is licensed separately |

## Who needs this

- Food distributors and stockists of FMCG brands
- Wholesalers and kirana / grocery retailers
- Supermarkets and e-commerce food sellers
- Warehouses and cold storage operators

## What's included

- Tier check for each shop and warehouse
- Applications with the correct trading and storage categories
- Supplier licence verification checklist
- Annual fee tracking across premises

## Documents

- Photo ID and address proof of the owner/partners/directors
- Premises proof for each shop or warehouse
- List of food categories traded
- Business registration documents

## Process

1. **Premises list** — We list every shop, depot and warehouse.
2. **Tier decision** — Turnover and activity decide registration vs licence.
3. **Filing** — Applications filed on FoSCoS.
4. **Maintenance** — Annual fees and changes tracked.

## Also covers

- **FSSAI for food storage and cold storage** — Warehousing activity registered or licensed per premises.
- **FSSAI for food retailers** — Shops, supermarkets and online food sellers.

## FAQs

### Does a grocery store need an FSSAI licence?

Yes. A kirana or grocery store needs basic registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover and a state licence above that.

### Do distributors file the FSSAI annual return?

Generally no. The D-1 return is for manufacturers, processors, repackers, relabellers, importers and exporters.

### Does a warehouse storing food need FSSAI?

Yes. Storage, including cold storage, is a licensable food business activity.

## 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-trader-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.