Licences to open a bakery or sweet shop in Chennai
5 required licences and registrations, the official fee for each, the office that issues it and the documents to keep ready. Based on a typical small bakery or sweet shop with 1 to 5 staff and turnover of ₹20 to 40 lakh a year.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Required licences
5
Known official fees
₹0
first year, plus 4 that vary
Issuing city body
Greater Chennai Corporation
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Required licences and official fees
For a bakery or sweet shop in Chennai (GCC), Tamil Nadu.
| Licence | Issued by | Official fee | Time | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANCentral | Income Tax Department | Freeinstant e-PAN with Aadhaar | Same day | incometax.gov.in (Instant e-PAN) |
| FSSAI State LicenceState | Designated Officer, State Food Safety | ₹3,000 to ₹5,000per year, by daily production capacity | Up to 60 days, may include inspection | foscos.fssai.gov.in |
| Trade licence (GCC)Municipal | Greater Chennai Corporation, Revenue Department | ₹2,000 / ₹5,000 / ₹10,000per year by floor area (small / medium / large), 2024 schedule | Online | chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Profession Tax (collected by your corporation)State | Greater Chennai Corporation (local body) | Up to ₹1,250 per half-year (₹2,500 a year), by income; companies also pay Company Tax | Register with the corporation when you start | chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Weighing scale verification (Legal Metrology)State | State Legal Metrology Department | About ₹400 per scalefor a 30 kg electronic scale; set by each state's schedule | Inspector visit | nsws.gov.in (state approvals) |
Fees are the official government fees, not agent charges. Some fees depend on your size or change by office, so confirm on the portal before paying.
Order to apply in
- Identity and tax registration: PAN. Do these first. Later forms ask for PAN and GST.
- Sector licence: FSSAI State Licence. The licence that lets you legally run this type of business.
- Municipal licence: Trade licence (GCC). Permission from your city for these premises.
- State labour and tax: Profession Tax (collected by your corporation). Registers your workplace and staff with the state.
- Conditional and optional: Weighing scale verification (Legal Metrology). Only if they apply to how you operate.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number
- For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed
- Form B, signed
- Kitchen layout plan with dimensions
- List of equipment
- Photo ID and address proof of owner or partners
- Proof of premises
- Food Safety Management System plan
- Water test report from an NABL lab
- List of products with ingredients
- Property tax receipt
- Rent agreement or ownership proof
- Photo ID of the owner
- Tamil name board on the shop (5:3:2 ratio Tamil:English:other)
- PAN
- Aadhaar
- Business address proof
- GST or Shops and Establishments certificate
- Employee list with salaries
- Scale details: make, model, capacity
Also check if these apply
- GST registration: Free. Mandatory once turnover crosses ₹40 lakh a year for goods in Tamil Nadu.
- Udyam (MSME) registration: Free. Free. Gets you the lower trademark fee, MSME loan schemes and protection against delayed payments.
- Shops and Establishments registration: Free. Mandatory in Tamil Nadu only from 10 workers. Below that it is optional but banks often ask for it.
- Fire NOC: Free. The new TN Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 is not yet in force; fees may change when its rules are notified.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a bakery or sweet shop in Chennai?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹0 in the first year, plus 4 fees that depend on your size or the office (FSSAI State Licence, Trade licence (GCC), Profession Tax (collected by your corporation), Weighing scale verification (Legal Metrology)). This is the government fee only. Agents and consultants charge extra, which you can avoid by applying yourself on the official portals.
Which licence should I apply for first?
Start with PAN and GST registration, because almost every later form asks for them. Then apply for the sector licence (FSSAI State Licence), followed by the municipal licence and the state labour registration.
Do I need a trade licence from the Greater Chennai Corporation?
Yes. For a bakery or sweet shop you need the Trade licence (GCC). The official fee is ₹2,000 / ₹5,000 / ₹10,000 (per year by floor area (small / medium / large), 2024 schedule). Apply at chennaicorporation.gov.in.
How long does it take to get all the licences?
Most registrations like PAN, GST and Udyam come through within a week. Sector and municipal licences can take 30 to 60 days where an inspection is needed, so apply for those as early as possible and before you open.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.