Licences to open a clothing, mobile or general store in Howrah
4 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 retail shop with 1 to 5 staff and turnover of ₹20 to 40 lakh a year.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Required licences
4
Known official fees
₹30
first year, plus 2 that vary
Issuing city body
Howrah Municipal 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 clothing, mobile or general store in Howrah (HMC), West Bengal.
| 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) |
| Certificate of Enlistment (trade licence, HMC)Municipal | Howrah Municipal Corporation | Variesby trade, area and location (HMC schedule not published online); application form ₹50 | Not published; inspection before issue | HMC Trade Licence portal |
| Shops and Establishments registrationState | Labour Commissionerate, West Bengal | ₹30for your staff size | Within 30 days of opening | wbshopsonline.gov.in |
| Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC)State | Directorate of Commercial Taxes, West Bengal | Up to ₹2,500 a year, by turnover (new schedule notified Aug 2026; check the portal) | Enrol within 90 days of starting | wbprofessiontax.gov.in |
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.
- Municipal licence: Certificate of Enlistment (trade licence, HMC). Permission from your city for these premises.
- State labour and tax: Shops and Establishments registration, Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC). Registers your workplace and staff with the state.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number
- For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed
- Photograph of proprietor/partners/directors
- PAN, EPIC and Aadhaar
- Property tax bill or ownership deed
- Rent agreement / lease (if rented)
- Partnership deed / MOA-AOA / trust deed (if applicable)
- Affidavit / undertaking
- NOC from WB Fire Services / WBPCB / FSSAI (if applicable)
- Photo ID and address proof of the owner
- Proof of premises
- Photo of the shop front with name board
- Employee details (names, roles, wages)
- PAN
- Aadhaar
- Business address proof
- GST or Shops and Establishments certificate
- Employee list with salaries
Also check if these apply
- GST registration: Free. Mandatory once turnover crosses ₹40 lakh a year for goods in West Bengal.
- Udyam (MSME) registration: Free. Free. Gets you the lower trademark fee, MSME loan schemes and protection against delayed payments.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a clothing, mobile or general store in Howrah?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹30 in the first year, plus 2 fees that depend on your size or the office (Certificate of Enlistment (trade licence, HMC), Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC)). 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, followed by the municipal licence and the state labour registration.
Do I need a trade licence from the Howrah Municipal Corporation?
Yes. For a clothing, mobile or general store you need the Certificate of Enlistment (trade licence, HMC). The official fee is Varies (by trade, area and location (HMC schedule not published online); application form ₹50). Apply at HMC Trade Licence portal.
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.
Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal
Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.
Howrah mein dukan (kapde, mobile ya general store) kholne ke liye kaun kaun se license chahiye?
Howrah mein dukan (kapde, mobile ya general store) ke liye 4 zaroori license aur registration hain: PAN, Certificate of Enlistment (trade licence, HMC), Shops and Establishments registration aur Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC). Sabse pehle PAN aur GST, phir baaki registration.
Howrah mein dukan ke license ka kitna kharcha aata hai?
Sarkari fees milakar pehle saal lagbhag ₹30 lagta hai, aur 2 fees aapke size ya office par depend karti hai. Yeh sirf government fees hai. Agent alag se paise lete hain, jo aap official portal par khud apply karke bacha sakte hain.
Howrah mein trade license kaise banaye? Kya dukan ke liye zaroori hai?
Haan. Howrah mein yeh licence Howrah Municipal Corporation deta hai: Certificate of Enlistment (trade licence, HMC). Official fees: Varies. Apply: HMC Trade Licence portal par online.
Dukan ke license ke liye kaun se documents chahiye?
Yeh documents taiyaar rakhein: Aadhaar linked to your mobile number, For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed, Photograph of proprietor/partners/directors, PAN, EPIC and Aadhaar, Property tax bill or ownership deed, Rent agreement / lease (if rented), Partnership deed / MOA-AOA / trust deed (if applicable), Affidavit / undertaking.
Saare license milne mein kitna time lagta hai?
PAN, GST aur Udyam aam taur par ek hafte ke andar mil jaate hain. FSSAI aur municipal license mein inspection ki wajah se 30 se 60 din lag sakte hain, isliye business shuru karne se pehle hi apply kar dein.