Trade Licence
Help applying for and renewing a trade licence from your local municipal body for shops, offices, workshops and other commercial premises.
Licences and Certificates
FSSAI Licence and Registration
Help choosing between FSSAI basic registration, state licence and central licence, and applying or renewing through FoSCoS.
- Licences and Certificates
- Basic registration is often processed faster than a state or central licence, which can take several weeks*
About FSSAI Licence and Registration
Almost every food business in India, from a home kitchen or tea stall to a restaurant, manufacturer or importer, needs either an FSSAI registration or an FSSAI licence. Which one applies depends on the kind of business and its scale, as currently prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Applications are made on FoSCoS, the online system run by FSSAI. We help you work out whether basic registration, a state licence or a central licence applies, prepare the documents, and file the application for your review. Scrutiny, any inspection and the decision to grant registration or a licence rest with the food safety authority.
Who Needs This Service
- Restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchens and caterers
- Home-based food businesses, bakers and small food vendors
- Grocery stores, supermarkets and food retailers
- Food manufacturers, processors, packers and repackers
- Distributors, wholesalers, storage and transport operators handling food
- Importers, exporters and e-commerce food sellers
- Existing holders who need to renew, modify or upgrade their registration or licence
Key Benefits
Right category first
We assess your business type, turnover and activities against the current FSSAI criteria before you apply.
Clean documentation
Premises details, list of food categories and supporting papers are prepared to match what FoSCoS asks for.
Query support
If the authority raises a query or schedules an inspection, we help you understand and respond to it.
Renewal and changes
We help you renew on time and file modifications when your products, premises or scale change.
Eligibility and Applicability
- Basic registration: generally for petty food businesses and small operators whose turnover is within the limit currently prescribed
- State licence: generally for medium-sized food businesses above the basic registration limit, within the range currently prescribed
- Central licence: generally for larger businesses above the prescribed turnover, and for certain activities such as import, export or operations in multiple states, regardless of size in some cases
- The category can also depend on the type of activity, production capacity and the kind of food handled
FSSAI turnover limits and category rules are revised from time to time. Please confirm the current criteria on FoSCoS or with us before applying, as the category that applies depends on your specific business.
Documents Commonly Required
Business and applicant
- Identity proof and photograph of the proprietor, partners or directors (shared securely after onboarding, not on the enquiry form)
- Constitution documents, such as partnership deed, LLP agreement or certificate of incorporation, where applicable
- Authorisation or board resolution naming the responsible person, where required
Premises
- Proof of possession of the premises, such as a rent agreement or ownership document
- Layout or blueprint of the processing area, for certain licence categories
- Local body licence or no-objection certificate, where applicable
Operations
- List of food products or food categories to be handled
- Details of equipment and machinery, for manufacturing units
- Water analysis report, for applicable categories
- Food safety management plan, where the category requires it
Document requirements may vary depending on applicant type, location and applicable regulations. We confirm the exact list for your case before you share anything.
Step-by-Step Process
Business review
Share what food you handle, where, and at what scale. We assess which FSSAI category currently applies.
Document checklist
We send a checklist for your category and review the documents you provide.
Application on FoSCoS
We prepare the application and, after your approval, it is filed on FoSCoS and the prescribed fee is paid by you.
Scrutiny and inspection
The authority reviews the application and may raise queries or inspect the premises. We help you respond within the time allowed.
Grant and display
If granted, the registration or licence is issued by the authority. We explain display requirements and the renewal date.
Estimated Timeline and Fees
Estimated timeline
Basic registration is often processed faster than a state or central licence, which can take several weeks
Processing time depends on the category, the completeness of the application, queries raised and any inspection. Timelines are set by the food safety authority and cannot be guaranteed.
Professional fee
Our professional fee depends on the category, the number of food categories and premises involved, and whether it is a new application, renewal or modification. You receive a written quote before we begin.
Government fees and charges
FSSAI charges a prescribed fee that varies by category and validity period. It is paid to the authority through FoSCoS and is separate from our fee.
* Timelines are indicative. They can change because of document verification, queries raised by the authority and government processing times, which are outside our control. Approval is decided by the relevant authority under applicable rules.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for basic registration when the business actually needs a state or central licence
- Listing food categories that do not match what is actually made or sold
- Using a premises address that differs from the possession document
- Missing the renewal date, which can lead to fresh application and penalties
- Not filing a modification after changing premises, products or capacity
- Ignoring annual return obligations that may apply to certain licence holders
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need FSSAI registration for a home food business?
Generally, yes. Small home-based food businesses usually need at least basic registration. We confirm the category based on your turnover and activity under the current rules.
What is the difference between registration and a licence?
Basic registration is generally meant for small food businesses, while state and central licences apply to larger operations or specific activities such as import. The criteria are set by FSSAI and may change.
Does one licence cover all my outlets?
Usually each premises needs its own registration or licence, although rules differ for certain businesses such as those operating across states. We check what applies to your setup.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. The application is examined by the food safety authority, which may inspect the premises and decides whether to grant it. We help you submit a complete, accurate application.
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Talk to Our Team
Have a Question About FSSAI Licence?
Call, WhatsApp or visit our office. We will explain what applies to you, the documents needed and all charges before you decide.
- Callback during office hours
- Written quote before any work begins
- No obligation to proceed
Speak to an expert
Tell us what you need. We will explain the documents, process and fees before you decide.
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