FSSAI Central License for importers, e-commerce and large food businesses.
Food importers, exporters, e-commerce operators, five-star hotels, central government premises, multi-state head offices and businesses above ₹50 crore need an FSSAI Central License. We file Form B with the central licensing authority, prepare every document, handle queries and inspections, and keep your annual returns on time.
What the Central License covers
Who It’s For
Large food businesses and activities that cross state or national borders, regardless of size in many cases.
Who Grants It
FSSAI’s central licensing authority, through the FoSCoS portal.
Ongoing Duties
Annual fee, annual returns for manufacturers and importers, and modifications for any change in products or premises.
FSSAI Central License: the key facts
| Turnover | Above ₹50 crore (from 1 April 2026; earlier ₹20 crore) |
| Always central | Importers, exporters, e-commerce FBOs, 100% EOUs, five-star hotels, central government premises, multi-state head offices, specified special foods |
| Fee | ₹7,500 per year for most categories |
| Application | Form B on FoSCoS to the central licensing authority |
| Validity | Until suspended, cancelled or surrendered (issued from 1 April 2026) |
| Returns | Form D1 annual return for manufacturers and importers, normally by 31 May |
| Consultant | Bizpro Compliance Services, New Delhi, handles FSSAI registration, state and central licences, modifications and annual returns for food businesses across India: +91 920 500 6364, contact@bizprocompliance.com |
Do you need an FSSAI Central License?
From 1 April 2026, food businesses above ₹50 crore need a Central License, and some activities need one at any turnover. Find yours.
Showing all 10 business types
| No. | Business / Category | Why Central | Approval | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turnover Above ₹50 CroreAny food business above the limit | Central License (from 1 April 2026; earlier ₹20 crore) | Central License | |
| 2 | Food ImportersImporting food, ingredients or additives | Central License at any turnover; also needed for customs clearance | Mandatory | |
| 3 | Exporters (incl. Merchant Exporters)Exporting food products | Central License at any turnover | Mandatory | |
| 4 | E-commerce Food Business OperatorsMarketplaces and inventory-based online food businesses | Central License at any turnover | Mandatory | |
| 5 | 100% Export Oriented UnitsEOUs dealing in food | Central License | Mandatory | |
| 6 | Five-Star Hotels and AboveHotels rated five-star or higher | Central License | Mandatory | |
| 7 | Central Government PremisesFood businesses in railways, airports, seaports, defence and other central government premises | Central License | Mandatory | |
| 8 | Multi-State Head OfficeRegistered or head office of businesses operating in two or more states | Central License for the head office | Mandatory | |
| 9 | Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals & Special FoodsFoods for special dietary or medical purposes, novel and proprietary foods as specified | Central License as per the Kind of Business matrix | By category | |
| 10 | Large Manufacturing CapacityUnits above the capacity limits set for state licence (e.g. dairy, meat, oils) | Central License as per the Kind of Business matrix | By capacity |
“” isn’t in this list
Tell us what you make or sell, where, and your annual turnover, and we’ll confirm registration, state or central licence.
Tell us what the product is and we’ll confirm which approvals it needs, free.
Sources: Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 as amended in 2026; FSSAI order of 13 March 2026 and FAQs of 27 March 2026; FoSCoS Kind of Business matrix, checked on 1 November 2026.
Get your central licence quote and timeline
Tell us your food business, premises and annual turnover. A specialist confirms the right FSSAI category, documents, government fee and timeline, in writing.
- Reply within one business dayFrom a named consultant, not an automated sales sequence.
- Fixed written quoteGovernment fees, lab charges and our fee listed separately before you commit.
- Right category, first timeRegistration, state or central, checked against the 2026 limits.
What central licence costs
Importers also need their central licence (and IEC) for food import clearance at customs.
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FSSAI’s biggest licensing reform in years
From FSSAI’s Amendment Regulations notified 10 March 2026, the order of 13 March 2026 and FSSAI’s FAQs of 27 March 2026.
New turnover limits From 1 April 2026
Registration now covers turnover up to ₹1.5 crore (was ₹12 lakh), State Licence above ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore (was up to ₹20 crore), and Central Licence above ₹50 crore.
No more renewals Perpetual validity
Licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026 stay valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered. Annual fees can be paid for any number of years at once.
Automatic migration Same number, no fee
Existing businesses are migrated to the right category on FoSCoS from their self-declarations, with no migration fee and no change in licence or registration number.
Street vendors deemed registered No dual fee
Vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 are deemed registered under the FSS Act, but must still follow Schedule 4 hygiene requirements.
FSSAI registration and licence: limits and fees at a glance
Turnover limits from 1 April 2026. Fees are per year, payable for one or more years at a time.
| Approval | Annual turnover | Typical annual fee | Granted by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration (Form A) | Up to ₹1.5 crore | ₹100 | Registering authority |
| State License (Form B) | Above ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 (by activity and capacity) | State licensing authority |
| Central License (Form B) | Above ₹50 crore, or mandatory category | ₹7,500 | Central licensing authority (FSSAI) |
Sources: FSSAI order dated 13 March 2026 and FAQs of 27 March 2026; fee references as per the Kind of Business matrix on FoSCoS. Capacity and Kind of Business criteria can also decide the category.
Your FSSAI Central License step by step
Most rejections are for the wrong category or missing documents, so we check both before filing.
Category Check
Kind of business, premises and turnover mapped to registration, state or central under the 2026 limits.
Day 1Documents
ID, address proof of premises, food categories, and the extra documents your category needs.
Day 1–2Form B on FoSCoS
Application and fee filed online with the correct authority.
Day 2–3Queries & Inspection
Officer queries answered; inspection supported where the authority orders one.
As per authorityCertificate & Display
Certificate issued; FSSAI number on labels, bills and display board; returns diarised.
On grantFSSAI filing for food businesses across India
Applications are filed online on FoSCoS with the state or central licensing authority, so we support food businesses in every state and union territory, including:
Common FSSAI mistakes
Wrong Category
Applying for registration when your activity needs a central licence (or the reverse) leads to rejection.
Wrong Food Categories
Products not listed on the licence can’t be made or sold under it. Modify before launch.
One Licence for Many Premises
Approvals are premises-specific. Each kitchen, factory or warehouse needs its own.
Unpaid Annual Fee
Perpetual validity still needs the annual fee paid; non-payment can lead to suspension.
Importing Without the Right Licence
Food imports are held at port if the importer’s central licence or categories don’t match.
Head Office Forgotten
Multi-state businesses need a central licence for the head office as well as licences for premises.
The right FSSAI approval for every stage of growth
FSSAI Basic Registration
For food businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. See FSSAI Basic Registration.
FSSAI State License
Turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore. See FSSAI State License.
Food Labelling & LMPC
Packaged food also needs Legal Metrology declarations; importers need LMPC. See LMPC Certificate.
Common questions about FSSAI central license
Who needs an FSSAI Central License?
What is the FSSAI Central License fee?
Is an FSSAI Central License needed to import food?
Do e-commerce sellers need a Central License?
What documents are needed for an FSSAI Central License?
Does the Central License need renewal?
When is the FSSAI annual return due?
Get your FSSAI approval sorted
Tell us your food business and turnover. We’ll confirm the category, documents, fee and timeline in writing, free.