A food manufacturer may have a factory, machinery, GST registration and finished products ready for commercial production – yet still select the wrong FSSAI licence category. An importer can face a different problem: the business has an IEC and overseas supplier, but the correct Importer Kind of Business under FSSAI has not been obtained before the import process begins.
Both situations are easier to prevent than correct later.
Under Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, food businesses are subject to licensing or registration requirements. In 2026, FSSAI substantially revised its licensing framework, including turnover thresholds and licence validity.
For businesses applying now, the first question should therefore not be “How quickly can I get an FSSAI licence?” It should be:
Which licence category and Kind of Business actually apply to my operations?
An FSSAI Central License is the licensing category applicable to specified food businesses regulated through the Food Safety and Standards framework.
From 1 April 2026, turnover-based categorisation generally places businesses as follows:
| Annual turnover | General category |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹1.5 crore | Registration |
| Above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore | State License |
| Above ₹50 crore | Central License |
These thresholds were implemented through FSSAI’s order dated 13 March 2026.
But turnover alone does not answer every Central License question.
Certain kinds of food business remain Central License categories irrespective of the normal turnover threshold. The most important example for this page is the food importer. FoSCoS’ updated eligibility criteria states that the Importer Kind of Business carries no turnover restriction and requires Central License.
A commercial food importer requires the appropriate FSSAI licence even if its turnover is far below ₹50 crore.
The current FoSCoS eligibility matrix lists Importer as a Central License activity with no turnover restriction.
FSSAI’s May 2026 import clarification further states that importers possessing a valid licence under the Trade/Retail – Importer Kind of Business may import food into India subject to DGFT registration and a valid IEC, followed by the applicable import-clearance process.
This distinction matters because:
IEC authorises the import-export identity of the business; it does not replace FSSAI food licensing.
Under the April 2026 eligibility structure, general manufacturing businesses crossing the applicable ₹50 crore annual-turnover threshold fall into Central Licensing.
Manufacturing includes food processing and associated activities such as preparation, manufacturing/processing and packaging within the establishment.
The updated FoSCoS matrix classifies some activities for Central License irrespective of turnover. Examples include proprietary foods, food/health supplements and nutraceuticals, non-specified foods and certain other specialised categories. Businesses should therefore check the exact product classification rather than relying only on turnover.
FoSCoS also lists specified 100% Export Oriented Units and Exporter-Manufacturer activities under Central Licensing without the ordinary turnover restriction.
| Question | Food manufacturer | Food importer |
|---|---|---|
| Is turnover relevant? | Usually yes for general manufacturing | Not for deciding Importer Central License |
| Central License above ₹50 crore? | Yes for general manufacturing | Central License required irrespective of turnover |
| IEC required? | Only where import/export activities make it applicable | Yes for commercial import activity |
| Factory layout required? | Applicable to manufacturing/processing application | Normally tied to manufacturing activity rather than pure importing |
| Machinery list | Manufacturing-specific requirement | Not ordinarily relevant to a pure importer |
| Food product/category details | Important | Import licence is treated as an open licence under the May 2026 clarification |
| Import clearance after licence | Not unless importing | Yes |
The importer position and open-licence clarification are supported by FSSAI’s May 2026 public notice.
Obtaining the Central License is one part of food-import compliance.
Imported food consignments may then move through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS). FICS interfaces with customs processes and supports document scrutiny, visual inspection, sampling, laboratory testing and issuance of the applicable clearance outcome.
A practical compliance sequence is therefore:
IEC and entity readiness → FSSAI Central License under Importer KoB → shipment documentation → FICS/customs process → inspection/testing where applicable → clearance outcome
For pre-packaged imported foods, businesses should separately review labelling and Legal Metrology requirements rather than assuming the FSSAI licence makes the retail package compliant.
A particularly useful 2026 clarification came from FSSAI’s Western Region.
The May 7, 2026 public notice states that the FSS licence for an importer is an open licence, and authorities should avoid insisting that a product-specific Food Product Category be mentioned on the import licence. The imported food itself remains subject to the applicable standards and import-clearance process.
This distinction can prevent unnecessary licence modifications based only on individual imported SKUs.
Do not choose “Manufacturer” simply because the company owns a food brand.
For example, depending on the operating model, an entity may be acting as:
FoSCoS indicates that one premises can have one licence/registration on which multiple applicable kinds of business may be endorsed.
For a normal manufacturing operation, check the current turnover and the precise manufacturing category.
Do not rely on old articles quoting earlier thresholds such as ₹12 lakh or ₹20 crore. FSSAI’s revised turnover framework has applied from 1 April 2026.
Manufacturers should identify the products proposed to be manufactured and the corresponding regulatory category.
The FoSCoS Central License checklist specifically requires the list of food categories desired to be manufactured.
Manufacturing applicants should prepare facility-specific information rather than uploading generic documents copied from another plant.
The licensing application is filed through FoSCoS. The current online Form B workflow captures premises information, product selection, communication details, documents and payment information.
The licensing framework permits regulatory scrutiny and inspection. Manufacturers should therefore ensure that the documents uploaded on FoSCoS match the actual premises and manufacturing arrangements.
Check:
An incorrect licence should not simply be left unchanged because a certificate has already been generated.
The exact documents vary with the Kind of Business, but FoSCoS’ current Central Licensing checklist includes requirements such as the following.
Common documents include:
A pure importer does not need to manufacture food merely to obtain its Importer KoB licence.
Depending on the application, important records include entity and authorised-person documents together with the Import Export Code issued by DGFT and other FoSCoS-required documents relevant to the applicant.
| Document/information | Manufacturer | Importer | Common risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entity/legal details | Required | Required | Different names across records |
| Premises details | Required | Required as applicable | Address mismatch |
| Factory layout | Manufacturing requirement | Usually not for pure importer activity | Layout not matching actual unit |
| Machinery list | Manufacturing requirement | Not normally applicable | Capacity/data inconsistencies |
| Product/category information | Important | Import licence has separate open-licence treatment | Wrong classification |
| Water report | Where applicable to manufacturing | Not ordinarily applicable to pure importer | Incorrect/outdated report |
| IEC | Where applicable | Important for importer | IEC/entity-name mismatch |
| Form IX/authorisation | As applicable | As applicable | Wrong authorised person |
This matrix is a practical Green Permits preparation tool based on the current FoSCoS document categories; final requirements should always be checked against the applicant’s live KoB selection.
The April 2026 FoSCoS eligibility matrix lists the Central License fee as ₹7,500 per annum for relevant Central Licensing categories, including Importer.
Government charges should be kept separate from any consultant’s professional fee.
Applicants should also check the live FoSCoS payment screen before payment because portal charges, GST treatment or category-specific items should not be assumed from third-party websites.
This is one of the most important updates missing from many older FSSAI articles.
FSSAI introduced perpetual validity for licences and registrations under its 2026 reforms. Its implementation FAQ clarifies that licences or registrations issued on or after 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity. It also states that an FBO can choose to pay the applicable fee for any number of years at once.
Perpetual validity does not mean perpetual exemption from compliance.
Licences remain subject to the regulatory framework, inspections, modifications where business particulars change and enforcement action where requirements are breached. The 2026 regime specifically moved toward a dynamic risk-based inspection framework.
Obtaining the licence is the beginning of the compliance cycle.
Manufacturing premises remain subject to applicable food-safety, hygiene and sanitary conditions. The June 2026 Second Amendment also revised licence conditions so manufacturers must maintain separate daily records relating to production and raw-material utilisation.
Businesses should therefore maintain controlled records for:
FSSAI’s Form D-1 captures information relating to food manufactured, handled, imported and exported.
For FY 2025-26, FoSCoS specifically announced that the annual-return filing portal opened on 16 April 2026 and that the filing deadline was extended to 15 June 2026. Future-year deadlines should be checked against the current FoSCoS announcement rather than assuming an extension will repeat.
A brand owner may actually need Relabeller treatment, while an importer must select its applicable importer activity. Wrong KoB selection can affect the entire application.
Content still ranking online may refer to historical limits. From April 1, 2026, FSSAI’s revised turnover framework applies.
This is incorrect. General manufacturer categorisation now depends on the applicable eligibility matrix, including the revised ₹50 crore threshold, while special food categories may have separate Central Licensing treatment.
Importer is specifically listed as a Central License Kind of Business irrespective of turnover.
Importers need to map DGFT/IEC requirements and food-safety licensing separately. FSSAI’s May 2026 notice expressly refers to both the valid FSS licence and IEC.
Food imports may still undergo the FICS import-clearance procedure.
Before filing, answer these questions:
If any answer is “no” or “not sure”, perform a document and applicability review before filing.
Green Permits can support businesses with:
The objective should not be simply to obtain an FSSAI number. The licence should correctly represent the entity, premises, products and actual business activities.
Yes. The updated FoSCoS eligibility matrix classifies the Importer Kind of Business under Central License without a turnover restriction.
Not merely because it manufactures food. Under the general 2026 turnover structure, ₹10 crore falls within the State License band, but the exact product and Kind of Business must still be checked because certain specialised categories have different eligibility criteria.
For turnover-based categorisation, Central Licensing applies above ₹50 crore from April 1, 2026.
FoSCoS’ April 2026 eligibility matrix lists ₹7,500 per annum for Central License categories.
Current FSSAI guidance should no longer be described simply as a 1-5 year licence system. The March 2026 reforms introduced perpetual validity, and FSSAI’s implementation FAQ states that licences/registrations issued on or after April 1, 2026 have perpetual validity.
No. Food importers may still need to complete the applicable FSSAI/FICS import-clearance procedure for the consignment.
Choosing an FSSAI Central Licence Consultant should begin with applicability, not paperwork.
For general manufacturers, the April 2026 framework makes the ₹50 crore turnover threshold an important starting point. For food importers, the position is different – Importer remains a Central License Kind of Business irrespective of turnover. Special manufacturing categories can also trigger Central Licensing under their own eligibility criteria.
A proper review should connect the FSSAI licence with the actual premises, Kind of Business, food products, manufacturing setup and, where imports are involved, IEC and FICS requirements.
Need an FSSAI Central License application or document-readiness review?
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