Issued by Central FSSAI, New Delhi. Mandatory for all food importers/exporters regardless of turnover, businesses with turnover above Rs. 50 Crore (April 2026 update), and multi-state operators.
Central License is mandatory — not optional — for these business categories regardless of turnover
Mandatory for ALL importers regardless of turnover or business size. Any food product entering India requires Central FSSAI License at the port of entry. The April 2026 update does not change this requirement.
All food export businesses — packaged foods, spices, grains, processed foods — require Central License issued from FSSAI HQ, New Delhi.
Food businesses with annual turnover exceeding Rs. 50 Crore (April 2026 threshold, previously Rs. 20 Crore). Production above 2 MT/day. Large-scale dairy, beverage, and packaged food plants.
Any food business with units, branches, or operations in more than one state. Head office gets Central License; branches may need State License.
Online food aggregators, food delivery platforms (Swiggy, Zomato partners at scale), and e-commerce marketplaces selling food products.
Food businesses operating at airports, seaports, railway stations, defence establishments, and other Central Government properties.
Central License requires the most comprehensive documentation — our team prepares everything for you
Central License involves central government scrutiny and mandatory inspection. We manage the entire process.
We confirm Central License requirement, assess your business category, and prepare a precise document checklist tailored to your operations.
We prepare all technical documents — FSMS plan, layout blueprints, product recall plan — and verify everything before submission.
Application filed on FoSCoS portal with all documents. You receive your Application Reference Number (ARN) immediately.
Certificate from Central FSSAI, New Delhi in 30–60 working days. We track and follow up until your license is delivered.
Central License applications are scrutinised directly by FSSAI Head Office in New Delhi. The bar is much higher than State — here are the top rejection triggers we pre-empt for every enterprise client.
A Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan covering HACCP, SOPs, CCPs, traceability, and recall procedures is mandatory for Central License. Self-filers routinely submit a generic template and get rejected on technical grounds. We draft a business-specific FSMS plan reviewed against the FSSAI schedule IV requirements.
For importers, Central License requires a valid IEC (Import Export Code), Bill of Entry samples, and country-of-origin declarations for every product category. Missing IEC or mismatched HS codes cause immediate rejection. We cross-verify your DGFT records, IEC, and HS classification before filing.
Central License needs a scaled production plant layout signed by a qualified engineer — showing raw material flow, process zones, packaging, storage, and dispatch. Hand-drawn or unsigned plans are rejected. We arrange a compliant CAD layout through our partner engineers as part of our service.
Central License applicants must nominate a qualified technical person (Food Technology, Microbiology, or equivalent) responsible for the FSMS. Self-filers often miss this, or nominate an ineligible person. We verify your nominee's qualifications against FSSAI eligibility rules before filing Form IX.
Central FSSAI requires NABL-accredited water test reports, effluent treatment details (for manufacturing units), and in-house / third-party lab capability. Non-NABL reports or missing ETP proof trigger rejection. We coordinate with approved NABL labs and review your ETP documentation before submission.
Central License is for turnover above ₹20 Crore or businesses like import/export, EOU, 100% export units, and e-commerce FBOs. Declaring the wrong category — or the wrong branch office — leads to rejection. We confirm the correct jurisdiction and licensing authority based on your incorporation and operations.
You must submit a written product recall procedure and details of primary packaging materials (food-grade certification). Missing or generic documents are a top-3 rejection reason. We provide templated recall plans and food-grade certificate formats customised to your products.
Our end-to-end process means you won't face any of these — and if an application is returned because of our error, we refile and manage all follow-ups at no additional cost.
Central License holders have the most ongoing compliance obligations. Here's what happens after your certificate arrives.
Display the Central License certificate at your registered office and each operational unit. Update all invoices, sales orders, B2B contracts, delivery notes, and corporate stationery with your 14-digit FSSAI number within 30 days of issue.
Central License holders must operationalise the FSMS plan submitted with the application — running HACCP reviews, SOP audits, and CCP monitoring. Minimum one Food Safety Supervisor per 25 food handlers must be FoSTaC-certified within 60 days of license issue.
Form D1 must be filed by 31 May every year detailing quantity of food manufactured / imported / sold during the previous financial year. Missing the deadline triggers a ₹100-per-day late fee and can also trigger a Central FSSAI audit. We handle annual returns as an add-on — ask your consultant.
From April 2026, all Central Licenses require an Annual Maintenance Fee paid on or before the anniversary date. Missed AMF = license automatically "Deemed Suspended" — halting all manufacturing, import, and distribution. We manage AMF end-to-end →
Central License is our most comprehensive service. Contact us for a detailed quote.
+ Our consulting fee (shared after free assessment)
💬 Get Free Quote on WhatsAppCommon questions about FSSAI Central License
Turnover under Rs. 50 Crore, single state? You may need a State License instead. · 2026 License Guide → · All FAQs →