Licences to open a grocery or kirana store 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 grocery or kirana store 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
₹5,500
first year, plus 2 that vary
Issuing city body
Greater Chennai Corporation
Get this list for your exact business
Change turnover, staff, floor area and extras like alcohol or a DG set. Tick documents as you collect them and share the list on WhatsApp or email.
Required licences and official fees
For a grocery or kirana store 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 | ₹2,000per year | Up to 60 days, may include inspection | foscos.fssai.gov.in |
| Trade licence (GCC)Municipal | Greater Chennai Corporation, Revenue Department | ₹3,500provisions shop, up to 1,000 sq ft (Council Resolution 232/2024) | 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
- Photo ID and address proof of owner or partners
- Proof of premises
- List of food product categories you sell
- NOC from the municipality, if asked
- 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.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a grocery or kirana store in Chennai?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹5,500 in the first year, plus 2 fees that depend on your size or the office (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 grocery or kirana store you need the Trade licence (GCC). The official fee is ₹3,500 (provisions shop, up to 1,000 sq ft (Council Resolution 232/2024)). 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.