FSSAI Online Import / Export License Registration in Delhi NCR, INDIA

What is the FSSAI food export license/registration?

FSSAI food license is a certificate that makes sure that the food item is fit for consumers. Along with this, exporters of food products need to have the import-export license and Non-Objection certificate. Once you have all the approvals, you may export any food item anywhere in the world.

The entire range of exported food items needs to be registered as a distinct identity, and the whole process of approval and licensing could be time-consuming. You may apply for an FSSAI state or central FSSAI license. Only FSSAI certified products could be exported. Moreover, there are some labeling requirements.

Labeling requirements for exporter of food products for FSSAI approvals

To make the food products acceptable during international markets, you must ensure that you have mentioned sufficient information on every food product packaging.

 Some information that needs to be supplied over the packaging to export food products are:

• Information concerning the nutritional facts and values
• Food products name with the name of the brand and company
• Description related to the food product
• Name of the ingredients in the food item
• An explicit declaration concerning veg and non-veg items
• Declaration concerning food additives
• Imported food country origin
• Packing date or manufacturing date
• Best before as well as the expiry date
• Content volume and net weight
• Name of the exporter in India along with its address
• Code number
• Instruction for usage
• Batch number

Every entity, which is engrossed in exporting food items across the globe into the foreign market, must meet the food labeling requirements to get embraced by the international market and sell over there.

Procedure to obtain an FSSAI Food License for exporter

It is necessary to have an FSSAI license to export any food item from India to other countries worldwide. FSSAI is a regulatory body under the health ministry, grants permission to food products exporters for doing export business. Therefore, every exporter must obtain an FSSAI license immediately to get a permit from the end of the apex food regulatory body, FSSAI.

Step by step method to get the FSSAI license before mapping the business plan of food export

• Initially, one needs to get the company registered as a legal entity.
• Then it is necessary to have an IE Code or import-export code.
• One needs to have a Non-Objection Certificate concerning the quality of food items and regulatory compliances present by the FSSAI authority by taking the health of customers and safety concerned.
• After everything, food product approval is required.
• Then the export license from the central authority of licensing is obtained.

What is the FSSAI Food Import License/registration?

Every imported food item into India is controlled by the FSSAI(Food safety and legal authority of India). The FSSAI has published some rules and regulations that have to be followed while importing food items. FSSAI food import license is one of them, which ensures that the food item imported is safe for its consumers. If the food item is not as per the FSSAI regulation, the whole consignment will get rejected and sent outside India. Some of the licenses and registration required for food importers are:

• The company must be registered under a Private limited company or LLP as it improves the transferability of the business.
• GST registration is mandatory for all selling products.
• Importer exporter code from DGFT
• Product approval from FSSAI

FSSAI labeling requirements for primary food-importing packages

1. Some information that needs to provide in the product label for primary food like pulses, fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, grains, and whole spices, etc. imported packages
   • Name of the food item
   • Complete address and character of the packer
   • Date of packing
   • Address and name of the importer
   • Net weight of the item in the packet
   • Lot no./batch no./code no.
   • FSSAI importer license logo and number
   • Best before date or use by date or date of expiry

FSSAI labeling guidelines for primary food imported in bulk quantity

Some of the following information that needs to be provided in the product label for some primary food items like pulses, grains, dry fruits, fruits, and whole spices, etc. imported in bulk quantity:

• Name of the food item
• Complete address and name of the importer

All the food labels must be fixed in non-detachable methods on the bags for foods packed in gunny bags/plastics or sacks.

Procedure to have an FSSAI license for importers

It is mandatory to obtain some licenses and registrations before import any food item consignment to India. The list of licenses required for importing food products in India are:

• LLP or private limited company registration as it improves the transparency of business
• VAT registration needed to resell the imported product in India
• Import-export code from DGFT
• Product approval from FSSAI

Type of FSSAI Food License for Importer/Exporter in India

Businesses involved in the import/export of food items need to obtain a food license that could be of different types based on their annual turnover, the scale of import/export business. Three types of food licenses are:

1. FSSAI Basic registration: the FSSAI registration is for food business operators who have petty businesses or startups. When the annual turnover is lesser than Rs. 12 Lakh, Basic registration could be upgraded on the business sales graph productivity.

FSSAI license is mandatory for everyone who intends to have a food business. This is not for those who involve in the preparation of food but for all those who handle food at different stages before its ultimate goal, including raw material import/export, manufacturing, processing, canteen, mess, and the distribution as well as the agencies who have authority to sell them.

Documents require obtaining basic registration of FSSAI

1. Owner address proof
2. Passport size photograph
3. Business address and name
4. FSSAI declaration form
5. Nature of business details

      2.FSSAI State license: state license could be obtained if the yearly turnover is between INR 12 LAKH to INR 20 CROREs. In repacking, relabeling business irrespective of the turnover, the company needs to have a state license.

 Documents required for state FSSAI license/registration

1. Rental agreement or proof of the ownership of the premises
2. ID proof of the concerned authority (driving license/aadhaar card/ passport/ voter ID)
3. If any government registration certificates(firm registration, partnership/company incorporation certificate/ pan card/ GST registration number/ establishment and shop registration / trade license)
4. If the applicant is a partnership firm or private limited company, they need MOA and AOA or partnership deed copy.
5. For obtaining a state license, one needs to have any one of such licenses (trade license, panchayath license, shop and establishment registration, municipality license, corporation license)
6. Nature of business
7. FSSAI declaration form

If you are obtaining the manufacturing / repacked category, remember to arrange the below documents mentioned.

• Manufacturing unit pictures
• Plant layout and flow charts
• Machine details, including its capacity, use of the production in the company letterhead
• Food product details in the company letterhead.

3. Central FSSAI food licenses/registration: this is applicable for business operators with a significant annual business turnover, i.e., over INR 20 crores. It is mandatory when you need to supply at the government offices or import/export food products. Other eligible business operators like manufacturers, railways, airports, operators in central government, seaports, etc., need to have a central FSSAI license from FSSAI.

Documents required getting FSSAI central license/registration.

1. Business premises ownership paper or rental agreement
2. ID proof of the concerned authority(voter ID, passport, driving license, Aadhar card)
3. If the applicant is a partnership firm or private limited company, they provide AOA & MOA or a copy of the partnership deed.
4. If the government registered certificates (firm registration, company incorporation, partnership deed, pan card, GST registration, establishment & shop registration/ trade license)
5. IE code certificate.
6. Authority letter on the company’s letterhead to the concerned person, stating that he can file an FSSAI application

If the application is for the manufacturing category, then arrange some additional certificates as under:

• Manufacturing unit pictures
• Product details and plant layouts
• Machine details used in the production units on the company letterhead.
• In cases when the business into the mineral water plant then water test report.

Procedure to get FSSAI Food License/ Registration

1. Complete a simple application form: one needs to fill the FSSAI application form or form given by the QSEK team, containing details about the food business.
2. Send the document: send all the required documents asked to the QSEK team, and we will create the FSSAI Form A and Form B.
3. Document submission: QSEK team will submit all the documents to the FSSAI license application along with the other papers and declarations filed to the local FBO by our CA/CS
4. FSSAI license approval: QSEK team will send the mail of the license that will act as a food license after regular follow-ups with the governing body.

Benefits of having FSSAI Food License

For importer/exporters, it is mandatory for FSSAI clearance, but it is beneficial for their local market.

• Ensure food safety in the provided food item
• Build local goodwill along with international market
• Assist business expansion easily
• Create consumer awareness
• Help in different legal matters
• It also helps to regulate sales of imported food, manufacturers, storage, distributors, etc.

Renewal of FSSAI Online Food License

The FSSAI food license is mandatory for importers/exporters every time, so they need to check their renewal date. As the expiry of FSSAI, a food license might become a big hurdle in sending or receiving any consignment. The validity of the FSSAI food license is for 1 to 5 years, depending upon your request, and must be applied for renewal 30 days before the expiry of the current license.