FSSAI Food License Registration for Importers

Who are Importers? 

People who source products from foreign countries and bring those products into a nation are known as importers. India is an active player in global import and export businesses. The products exported from India should be in its high quality. Any compromise in the quality and standard of the products may decline the name of India in the global market. Imported products are also expected to be good. 

India import all kind of food products like vegetables, fruits, nuts, oils and other essential products. Any adulterants to these consumables can cause severe health problems to the consumer. So, the importer must follow the food safety guidelines of the authority of the respective country. 

Why is FSSAI License Important for Importers? 

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a superior authority that governing the food industries for the quality and safety of their food products. FSSAI established the FoSCos (Food Compliance System) to get the FSSAI certificate. It mandates that any business related to food products must undergo FSSAI registration. It includes food preparing, handling, delivering, importing and exporting entities. 

As per FSSAI to import food products into India, importers must undergo FSSAI registration. Food products like vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits are essential and are used in day to day life. The poor quality of these products can make the consumer unwell. FSSAI certificate will ensure that the food products imported by your company are worthy. Without FSSAI registration importers are not allowed to run their businesses. 

FSSAI certificate not only help you face legal requirements but elevate your business to the next level through following,   

• Build your importing company as a quality and entrusted brand.     

• FSSAI registration will make any legal process regarding your business easy and effective.     

• You can easily expand your business without hassle.     

• You can use the FSSAI license logo to establish your concern on quality to customers.    

• FSSAI license can bring you investments and makes any loan process easy.     

How to get FSSAI License for Importers?    

There are three types of FSSAI food license certificates. Based on your business cap, you must apply. Those three types of licenses are,      

• Basic FSSAI Registration/ FSSAI certificate – For annual turnover below Rs. 12 lakhs.     

• State FSSAI Food License Registration/ FSSAI certificate – For annual turnover from Rs.12 lakhs to Rs. 20 crores.      

• Central FSSAI Food License Registration/ FSSAI certificate – For annual turnover above Rs.20 crore.      

Basic FSSAI Registration:       

Basic FSSAI licenses are for small businesses and startups. The annual turnover of such businesses should be below Rs. 12 lakhs. For such small businesses, a Basic food license is enough. 

If your importing business earning turnover is below Rs.12 Lakhs, you fall under a small business cap. You must register for Form A for Basic FSSAI registration/ FSSAI certificate. As the business turnover reaches Rs. 12 lakhs, you must upgrade the food license from Basic FSSAI registration to state FSSAI registration.      

Documents required:       

• Address proof      

• Passport size photos      

• Business details      

• FSSAI declaration form      

State FSSAI Food License Registration:       

Let discuss the state level food license. Businesses with turnover between Rs. 12 lakhs to Rs.20 crores must get a State FSSAI license/ FSSAI certificate.    

If you are importing business turnover is between the above-mentioned limit, you will fall under the state food license category. For this food license, you must fill up Form B.    

Documents Required:      

• Documents of business premises (Rental/Lease agreement)      

• ID proof of the business owner (Aadhar/ Voter ID/ Driving License/ Passport)      

• Incorporation Certificate/ GST Registration/ Trading License      

• MOA and AOA      

• Trade license/ Establishment registration/ Panchayath License/ Corporation License/ Municipality License. Any one of them.      

• Business details      

• FSSAI declaration forms      

Central FSSAI Food License Registration:       

Central FSSAI food license is for the importers who import food products from across the globe. Even businesses that don’t have that large scale but manage to earn over Rs.20 Crores falls under this category.    

If your business turnover is over Rs. Rs.20 crores, then you should register for a Central food license. If your mid-cap business crossed Rs.20 crores you must upgrade from State food license to Central food license. For this food license, you must fill Form B.      

Documents Required:      

• Documents of business premises (Rental/Lease agreement)      

• ID proof of the Business Owner (Aadhar/ Voter ID/ Driving License/Passport)      

• Incorporation Certificate/GST Registration/Trade License      

• Import and Export code      

• MOA and AOA      

• Trade license/ Establishment registration/ Panchayath License/ Corporation License/ Municipality License. Any one of them.      

• List of business partners, if applicable.      

• Business details      

• FSSAI declaration forms      

Procedure to get FSSAI Certificate for Importers:      

• Get your business plan.      

• Determine your yearly turnover.      

• Determine which type of license is essential for your business as an importer.  

• Fill out the application and complete documentation.      

• Paying the charge      

• Submit the application      

• You should be careful if there is any incorrect information in your application. FSSAI may cancel your registration. If there is any update requires in the form, then it must be updated. The updated form must be sent back within 30 days (about four and a half weeks).      

• FSSAI may need 15 – 45 days (about one and a half months) to approve the license. You must continuously follow up the process and sort out if there are any discrepancies.      

You may think that completing all these steps and getting an FSSAI certificate is hard. But it can be made easy by approaching a consultancy. LegalDocs is the leader in the market provides services related to FSSAI license certificate registration. Our expert will take care of everything that you must do to get FSSAI registration. You can complete the FSSAI registration and get your FSSAI food license at your doorstep. How?      

Three-step procedure to get FSSAI registration through LegalDocs      

• Discuss with our expert and fill out the easy form on the LegalDocs website.      

• LegalDocs expert will fill out your FSSAI form, resolve all queries and get approval from government authority.      

• Get delivered your FSSAI food license at your doorstep.