FSSAI State and Central Licence Online

An FSSAI licence is the authorisation under section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for food businesses above the Registration band: a State licence for turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore, and a Central licence above ₹50 crore or for Central-only kinds of business. Eligibility depends on your kind of business and turnover. We confirm your tier, then prepare and file the application on FoSCoS.

State / Central fee: ₹5,000 / ₹7,500 per year
Time to decide: Up to 60 days
StampMitra fee: ₹999 professional fee, per premises

What an FSSAI licence is

Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 says no one may carry on a food business except under a licence or, for petty operators, a registration. Carrying on a food business without a required licence is an offence under section 63. The detailed rules are in the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Registration, State licence or Central licence

The standard turnover bands from 1 April 2026.

Registration
State licence
Central licence

Kinds of business that need a Central licence at any turnover

On the FSSAI schedule we use. Check the current document on FoSCoS for your kind of business.

Importers
E-commerce food businesses
Trader or merchant exporters
Exporter-manufacturers and 100% export-oriented units
Proprietary food, health supplements and nutraceuticals
Non-specified food

Find your FSSAI tier and government fee

Pick your kind of business, enter turnover in lakh and see the tier and fee on our schedule.

Government fees and our fee

Government fees are paid to FSSAI at actuals. We confirm the exact amount for your kind of business on FoSCoS before we file.

Registration, for comparison: ₹100 per year
State licence: ₹5,000 per year
Central licence: ₹7,500 per year
Paying for several years: Any number of years, at any time of year
Moving up from Registration: No migration fee for the revised thresholds
StampMitra professional fee: ₹999 per premises

What you need

A digital signature is not needed for an individual, and a company signs through its authorised signatory. Notarisation is not part of the official list that we found. We confirm the current document list on FoSCoS for your tier before filing.

Photo ID and address proof of the applicant
Passport-size photograph
Proof of possession of the premises
Layout or blueprint plan of the premises
List of equipment with capacity
List of the proprietor, partners or directors

How an FSSAI licence is granted

Timing, validity and returns

Question, Answer

How long does the licence take?: The 2011 Licensing Regulations provide for the licence to be issued within 60 days of the application ID
How long is the licence valid?: For licences issued on or after 1 April 2026, FSSAI's FAQ on the 2026 amendment says the licence is
What about a licence issued before 1 April 2026?: Check the licence and its status on FoSCoS; it may still show an expiry date. We read it
Is there an annual return?: Manufacturers, importers, repackers and relabellers file Form D-1 for the previous financial year by 31 May
When must I modify the licence?: On a change of address, kind of business, capacity or constitution. Surrender it when operations stop. See
Can I upgrade from Registration?: Yes, on FoSCoS. There is no migration fee for the revised thresholds; check on FoSCoS how an upgrade is

What the Act provides if you operate without a licence

These are the statements in sections 59 and 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Other sections of the Act carry their own penalties, which are not listed here.

Carrying on a food business without a required licence or registration (section 63): Imprisonment up to six months and fine up to ₹5 lakh.
Unsafe food, no injury caused (section 59): Imprisonment up to 6 months and fine up to ₹1 lakh.
Unsafe food, non-grievous injury (section 59): Imprisonment up to 1 year and fine up to ₹3 lakh.
Unsafe food, grievous injury (section 59): Imprisonment up to 6 years and fine up to ₹5 lakh.
Unsafe food, death (section 59): Imprisonment of not less than 7 years, which may extend to life, and fine of not less than ₹10 lakh.

Common reasons applications come back

Wrong tier or kind of business, for example a State licence where the kind of business is Central-only.

Wrong tier or kind of business, for example a State licence where the kind of business is Central-only.
A turnover that does not match your GST or income-tax returns.
A missing water report or layout plan for a manufacturing unit, or unclear proof of the premises.
A nomination or authority letter not signed by the right person.
A name or address that differs between the ID, the PAN, the incorporation papers and the premises.
Non-conformities from an inspection not resolved against the hygiene conditions of Schedule 4 to the Regulations.

What StampMitra does for you

StampMitra is a filing assistance platform. We are not FSSAI, the government or a law firm.

Choose the right tier
Documents prepared and verified
Application preparation and e-filing
Fee payment coordination
Query handling
Certificate delivery

How it works

Fix the kind of business and tier Determine your kind of business and tier from turnover, activity and the number of States.
Apply on FoSCoS Fill the application for each premises, upload the documents and pay the fee online.
Scrutiny by the Licensing Authority An application ID is generated and the authority may ask for corrections.
Inspection, where ordered The Food Safety Officer or an approved auditor may inspect.
Download the licence A granted licence is downloaded from FoSCoS.

Frequently asked questions

State or Central licence: which do I need?

It depends on your kind of business and turnover. A State licence suits turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore. A Central licence applies above ₹50 crore, for Central-only kinds of business, and for a head office with food activity in two or more States.

What is the turnover limit for Registration now?

Up to ₹1.5 crore from 1 April 2026, subject to the kind of business. Above that you need a State or Central licence.

Does the licence expire?

For licences issued on or after 1 April 2026, FSSAI's FAQ on the 2026 amendment says it is perpetual with no renewal. For an older licence, check the licence and FoSCoS.

What is the government fee?

On the schedule we use, ₹5,000 per year for a State licence and ₹7,500 per year for a Central licence, with a different amount for some kinds of business. We confirm yours before filing.

How long does it take?

The Regulations provide for the licence within 60 days of the application ID, and for a decision within 30 days of an inspection report. The time actually taken can vary.

Do I need a licence for each outlet?

Generally yes, for each premises. We confirm how this applies to your outlets and vehicles.

Is an inspection compulsory?

No. The authority orders one where it needs it.

Is an annual return needed?

Manufacturers, importers, repackers and relabellers file Form D-1 by 31 May for the previous financial year; dairy units also file Form D-2 half-yearly. We confirm what applies to you on FoSCoS, and we file it through our FSSAI annual return service.

Can I upgrade from Registration to a licence?

Yes, on FoSCoS. There is no migration fee for the revised thresholds; check on FoSCoS how an upgrade is charged.

I sell on an e-commerce platform. Do I need a Central licence?

Not only because you list there. The Central category is for the e-commerce food business operator itself. Your own tier follows your kind of business and turnover.

Does FSSAI cover halal?

No. FSSAI does not issue halal certification. See our halal certification page.

What if I operate without a licence?

Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides imprisonment up to six months and a fine up to ₹5 lakh for carrying on a food business without a required licence or registration.