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Company

FSSAI Central Licence

FSSAI Central Licence is the highest tier of food business licensing in India — required for large food manufacturers, importers, exporters, food businesses with turnover above ₹20 crores, and food businesses operating across multiple states. Central Licence is issued by FSSAI's Central headquarters.

500+
Central Licences Managed
100%
On-Time Renewals
4.8 ★
Client Rating
0
Suspension Incidents
Service Overview

The Licence India's Largest Food Businesses Operate Under

Central Licence is mandatory for food businesses that have outgrown State Licence thresholds — whether by turnover, production scale, import/export activity, or multi-state operations. It is also required for central warehouses, cold storages serving importers, and food businesses in airport, seaport, and defence premises. The Central Licence process involves FSSAI's Central team, stricter document requirements, and potentially a central inspection. Compliance obligations are also more demanding — including detailed quarterly and annual returns and specific food testing requirements. Our team manages the entire process and ongoing compliance.

Critical: FSSAI Central Licence must be renewed before its expiry date — operating even a single day beyond expiry is an offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Penalties include fines up to ₹5 lakhs and suspension of operations. Renewal applications must be filed at least 30 days before the licence expiry date.

Large Manufacturer Central Licence

Turnover above ₹20 crores

Food manufacturers, processors, and packagers with annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores need a Central Licence — regardless of whether operations are in one state or multiple states.

Importer & Exporter Licence

Mandatory for all food trade

Any person or business importing or exporting food products in commercial quantities requires a Central Licence from FSSAI. Customs will not clear food shipments without a valid Central Licence.

Multi-State Operations

One central licence, all states

Food businesses operating in more than one state — national restaurant chains, FMCG distributors, organized food retail — must obtain a Central Licence covering all locations.

E-Commerce Food Businesses

For pan-India online food selling

E-commerce platforms and large online food sellers with national operations (delivering across states) need a Central Licence to cover their pan-India food distribution activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Must Obtain Central Licence?

Central Licence is mandatory for specific categories of food businesses regardless of turnover.

1

Annual Turnover Above ₹20 Crores

Food businesses with aggregate annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores must hold a Central Licence — the turnover threshold that separates State and Central licensing.

2

Food Importers & Exporters

Any food import or export for commercial purposes requires a Central Licence. Customs will not process food consignments without FSSAI Central Licence verification.

3

Multi-State Operators

Food businesses operating in more than one state — even below ₹20 crores turnover — require a Central Licence if they have manufacturing, warehousing, or distribution across state borders.

4

Specific Manufacturer Categories

Certain manufacturer categories always need Central Licence regardless of turnover — dairy plants, slaughterhouses above specified capacity, oil mills, grain mills, and large cold storage facilities.

Key Benefits

Why Central Licence Matters for Large Food Businesses

Central Licence is not just compliance — it is a gateway to national and international markets.

01

Import Customs Clearance

Without FSSAI Central Licence, food imports are held at the port and cannot be cleared by Customs. Central Licence is the fundamental prerequisite for any food import business.

02

Export Certification

FSSAI Central Licence is required to obtain FSSAI export health certificates — needed by importing countries as proof that Indian food products meet Indian food safety standards.

03

National Retail Presence

Organized retail chains (Big Bazaar, Reliance, DMart) and national modern trade buyers require Central Licence from all food suppliers — a mandatory listing requirement.

04

Pan-India Supply Chain

Central Licence covers all states — a single licence allows manufacturing in one state and distributing across the country. This simplifies compliance for FMCG and food distribution businesses.

05

Government Tenders

Government food procurement tenders (for defence, railways, food banks) specifically require FSSAI Central Licence as a minimum eligibility criterion for large-volume suppliers.

06

Investor & Institutional Trust

PE investors and institutional buyers performing due diligence on food companies specifically verify Central Licence status — treating it as a key compliance indicator for the sector.

Step-by-Step Process

FSSAI Central Licence Application Process

The Central Licence process is the most rigorous of the three FSSAI licence tiers.

Your journey Step 1 of 6

Scroll through the steps — or skip the queue and let our experts handle every one of them for you.

Get Expert Help
1
Step 1 of 6

Determine Central Licence Eligibility

Confirm that your business meets Central Licence criteria — by turnover, production capacity, import/export activity, or multi-state operations. Incorrect licence tier creates compliance risk.

2
Step 2 of 6

Prepare Form B (Central Category)

Complete Form B on the FOSCOS portal, selecting the appropriate Central category. Provide detailed information on all manufacturing locations, food products, installed capacity, and operations.

3
Step 3 of 6

Upload All Documents

Submit all required documents — including plant layout, process flow diagram, water testing report, pest control contract, food safety management plan, and equipment list.

4
Step 4 of 6

Pay Central Licence Fee

Pay the Central Licence fee — ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹75,000 per year depending on the business category and production capacity. Pay for 1 to 5 years upfront.

5
Step 5 of 6

FSSAI Inspection

A Central Licence inspection by FSSAI officers from the Regional/Central office is typically required for manufacturing units. Food quality testing of products may be conducted during inspection.

6
Step 6 of 6

Receive Central Licence

After satisfactory inspection and document verification, the Central Licence is issued. Display prominently and print the FSSAI number on all products — Central licences are prominent in the food industry.

Document Checklist

Documents for FSSAI Central Licence

Central Licence requires comprehensive documentation across the business, premises, and food safety systems.

Entity & Business Documents

Certificate of Incorporation / Business Registration

Certificate of Incorporation for companies, LLP agreement, or firm registration — establishing the legal entity.

MOA & AOA

Memorandum and Articles of Association for companies — confirming that food business activity is covered in the object clause.

List of Directors/Partners with ID Proof

Names, addresses, PAN, and Aadhaar of all directors, partners, or proprietors associated with the food business.

For food importers, an additional document is required: an undertaking that imported food products will not be sold unless they pass FSSAI's import clearance inspection at the port of entry. Each consignment must be separately cleared by FSSAI at the customs point.

Post Registration

Ongoing Central Licence Compliance

Central Licence holders face more demanding ongoing compliance than State or Basic registrants.

Quarterly

File Quarterly Returns

Central Licence holders in certain categories must file quarterly returns with FSSAI — disclosing production quantities, product categories, and raw material usage.

By May 31

Annual Return Filing

All Central Licence holders must file annual returns with FSSAI by May 31 — covering full-year production, turnover, and product categories.

Ongoing

Product Testing Compliance

Maintain ongoing product testing records from NABL-accredited laboratories. FSSAI may collect market samples and test against standards — documented in-house testing records support defence.

Why Finace India?

Your Trusted FSSAI Central Licence Partner

Operating even a single day past expiry is an offence carrying fines up to ₹5 lakhs and suspension of operations. We file renewals well ahead of the deadline so large-scale operations are never at risk.

Multi-State & Import-Export Coverage

Filing handled for businesses operating across states, importing, or exporting food products.

Zero-Lapse Renewal Tracking

Renewal filed at least 30 days before expiry, every cycle, so operations are never suspended.

Government Tender Readiness

Compliance records maintained to the standard large institutional and government buyers expect.

Investor-Grade Documentation

Licensing records kept clean and current for investor and institutional due diligence.

500+

Central Licences Managed

100%

On-Time Renewals

4.8 ★

Client Rating

0

Suspension Incidents

4.9 / 5from 2,400+ verified reviews
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Central Licence fees range from ₹7,500 per year for small importers/exporters to ₹75,000 per year for large dairy/oil/grain processing plants. The exact fee depends on the specific food category and production capacity bracket.
Yes. FSSAI Central Licence is mandatory for any food export from India. Customs authorities require FSSAI clearance for food exports. Additionally, FSSAI issues export health certificates (EHC) that importing countries use to verify compliance of Indian food products.
Yes. Central Licence covers operations across all states under one licence. However, for manufacturing units at different locations, each manufacturing unit needs a separate licence (Central or State as applicable). The head office/registered office may hold the Central Licence covering sales and distribution.
FSSAI Central Licence typically takes 60–90 days from application to issuance — including document review, inspection scheduling, and officer approval. Import licence applications where inspection is waived can be faster.
The manufacturing unit needs its own FSSAI licence (Central or State based on production capacity). Each branch/outlet at a separate address needs its own State or Basic registration based on its individual operations and turnover. A single Central Licence from the head office cannot cover manufacturing at a different address.

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