FSSAI Import Licence & Registration

Two Obligations Every Food Importer Carries

One: an FSSAI Central Licence as an importing Food Business Operator. Two: a FICS clearance on every single consignment. Miss either and cargo stops at the port — with storage charges compounding daily.

Licence Structure

The FICS Flow on Every Consignment

• 1. FICS application filed alongside the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE
• 2. FSSAI reviews — document check, or physical sampling
• 3. If sampled: lab testing adds 3–7 working days
• 4. NOC issued → customs proceeds to Out of Charge
• 5. If failed: re-export or destruction — why label review beforehand is everything

The 11-Point Label Check

• Product name and description
• Ingredients in descending order
• Nutrition table per 100g/ml in prescribed format
• Allergen declarations
• Net quantity
• Manufacturer and importer name & address
• Country of origin
• Batch/lot number
• Best-before date (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Storage instructions
• Veg / non-veg symbol

We run this check on artwork before printing — the least expensive step in the entire import chain, and the one that prevents the most expensive failures.