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Hisho & Kanri
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We provide accounting, compliance,
and advisory services.

FSSAI Central License

The national-level food license for scale, imports, and multi-state reach.

FSSAI Central License is the highest tier of food business approval, issued directly by the central office of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It's mandatory for large manufacturers, importers and exporters, 100% export-oriented units, and any food business that operates across more than one state.

Unlike a State License, a Central License positions your business to trade nationally and internationally — it's what customs authorities, ports, government tenders, and overseas buyers check for before they let your consignment move. Getting the category, documentation, and IEC linkage right the first time avoids costly clearance delays, which is why most large-scale FBOs bring in a specialist rather than filing solo.

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Government of India
FSSAI Central
License
Import • Export • Multi-State • Large-Scale — one national license
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Central License
Applicability

Who is required to hold a Central License?

Some businesses need a Central License purely on turnover; others need it regardless of turnover because of what they do. Here's the full lineup we file for.

Importers of Food Products

Any business importing food into India needs a Central License, linked to a valid Import Export Code, regardless of turnover.

Mandatory, Any Turnover

Exporters & 100% EOUs

Exporters and 100% Export Oriented Units producing food solely for overseas markets fall squarely under central jurisdiction.

Large-Scale Manufacturers

Manufacturing and processing units with annual turnover above ₹20 crore, or with large production capacity, require a Central License.

Turnover > ₹20 Crore

Multi-State Operators

Businesses with outlets, kitchens, or processing units spread across more than one state need a single Central License covering all locations.

Central Government Premises

Caterers and vendors operating inside railways, airports, seaports, and other central government establishments.

E-commerce & Aggregator HQs

Head offices of large food e-commerce platforms and aggregators that coordinate operations across multiple states.

Large Cold Storage & Warehousing

High-capacity cold storage and warehousing facilities storing food at a scale beyond state-level thresholds.

Proprietary Food & Additive Manufacturers

Manufacturers of proprietary foods, food additives, and nutraceuticals need a Central License irrespective of turnover.

Mandatory, Any Turnover
The Process

From FoSCoS filing to national license, in eight steps

Here's exactly what happens between filing a Central License application and holding your certificate — including the import/export code linkage most State License filings skip.

1

Eligibility Assessment

We confirm whether your turnover, activity type, or premise location makes a Central License mandatory for your business.

2

Document Compilation

Incorporation documents, IEC certificate (for importers/exporters), and a food safety management plan are gathered and verified.

3

FoSCoS Central Application

Your application is filed under the Central License category on FSSAI's FoSCoS portal, with the correct kind-of-business codes.

4

Headquarters-Level Scrutiny

The application is reviewed by the central FSSAI office, which handles larger and cross-state operations directly.

5

Inspection Coordination

We coordinate the premise inspection typically required at this scale, ensuring your facility is fully audit-ready beforehand.

6

Query Resolution

Any clarifications, corrections, or additional documents requested during review are handled promptly to keep the timeline on track.

7

Central License Certificate Issuance

Once approved, your 14-digit Central License number and certificate are issued digitally, valid across every listed premise.

8

IEC Linking & Import Codes

For importers/exporters, we link your Central License to your IEC on the customs system so consignments clear without friction.

Eligibility

Do you actually need a Central License?

Central jurisdiction is decided by a mix of turnover, activity type, and geography — here's the baseline criteria we check against.

Turnover Above ₹20 Crore

Manufacturers, processors, and traders crossing this annual turnover threshold fall under central jurisdiction by default.

Import or Export Activity

Any import or export of food products requires a Central License and a linked Import Export Code, regardless of turnover.

Operations in Multiple States

Businesses with premises, kitchens, or warehouses spread across more than one state consolidate under a single Central License.

Specific Product Categories

Proprietary foods, food additives, nutraceuticals, and similar categories require central approval irrespective of turnover.

Valid IEC for Trade Activity

Importers and exporters must hold a valid Import Export Code to be linked with their FSSAI Central License application.

No Prior Cancellation

The applicant or premise must not have an active cancellation or blacklisting under the FSS Act, 2006.

Paperwork

Documents you'll need for a Central License

Central applications ask for more than a State License — gathering these upfront is what keeps your FoSCoS filing moving.

PAN Card

Of the company, proprietor, or all partners/directors

Certificate of Incorporation

Or partnership deed/registration certificate

Import Export Code (IEC)

Mandatory for importers and exporters

Food Safety Management Plan

Certified plan or HACCP/ISO certificate where held

List of Directors/Partners

With address and identity proof for each

Blueprint of Premises

Layout plan showing processing and storage areas

Water Test Report

Potability report for manufacturing premises

Source of Raw Material

Declaration listing suppliers of key ingredients

Why It's Worth It

What a Central License actually unlocks

Beyond legal compliance, a Central License changes the scale your food business can operate and trade at.

National-Level Recognition

A license issued directly by FSSAI's central office, recognised at every port, airport, and state border in India.

Enables Import & Export Trade

Mandatory for customs clearance — without it, consignments simply cannot move across Indian borders.

Multi-State Operating Rights

One license covers every listed premise across states, removing the need for separate state-wise filings.

Access to Government Tenders

Many government and institutional food supply tenders require bidders to hold a valid Central License.

Credibility with Global Buyers

Overseas buyers and large retail chains treat a Central License as proof of serious, compliant-scale operations.

Longer License Validity

Central Licenses can be issued for up to five years at a time, reducing how often you need to renew.

After Registration

Staying compliant as a Central License holder

Central-scale operations carry more reporting obligations than a state-level business — here's what keeps you in good standing.

Annual Return (Form D1)

Yearly return covering production, import, and export volumes, filed by the statutory due date.

Per-Consignment Import Filing

Importers file a clearance request on FoSCoS for every consignment before customs release.

License Renewal

Renewal application filed well before expiry — critical for Central Licenses, since lapses halt import/export activity.

Record Maintenance

Production, sourcing, and consignment records maintained across every listed premise for inspection readiness.

Sampling & Testing Compliance

Periodic product sampling and lab testing to stay within permissible safety and quality limits.

Display Requirements

The Central License number displayed at every listed premise and printed on all outbound packaging and invoices.

Why Hisho & Kanri

Central License filings handled by specialists

Central applications involve more scrutiny and, often, import/export codes — we've filed enough of them to know exactly where they usually stall.

Trade & Food-Law Specialists

Consultants experienced in both FSSAI regulations and IEC/customs coordination.

Faster HQ-Level Filing

Applications structured to reduce back-and-forth with central scrutiny officers.

Transparent Pricing

Clear packages with no hidden government-fee surprises, even for multi-state filings.

End-to-End Tracking

Visibility into every stage, from FoSCoS submission through inspection to issuance.

Dedicated Support

One point of contact for licensing, renewal, and ongoing import/export compliance.

Confidential Handling

Your business, trade, and ownership documents handled under strict confidentiality.

FAQ

Common questions about the FSSAI Central License

Can't find your question here? Use the form alongside this page and we'll answer it directly.

It's the highest tier of FSSAI approval, issued by the authority's central office for large, multi-state, or import/export food businesses.

A State License is issued by the state authority and covers operations within one state; a Central License is issued nationally and is required above ₹20 crore turnover, for imports/exports, or multi-state operations.

Yes — any business importing food products into India requires a Central License linked to a valid Import Export Code, regardless of turnover.

Once issued, your Central License number is linked to your Import Export Code on the customs system so consignments can be cleared without manual intervention.

It typically takes longer than a State or Basic filing, given headquarters-level scrutiny and, in most cases, a premise inspection.

Incorporation documents, IEC for trade activity, a food safety management plan, and premise layout are the core set — see the Documents section above for the full list.

Yes — a single Central License can list and cover every premise you operate across states, removing the need for separate state filings.

It can be issued for 1 to 5 years at a time, chosen at the time of application, and must be renewed before expiry to avoid disruption.

Consignments can be held at customs, and operating without a mandatory license can lead to penalties and seizure under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Because we handle central-scale filings and IEC linkage regularly, keep you informed at every stage, and stay on for renewals and import/export compliance afterward.