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FSSAI import clearance and food import licence
How to import food into India: FSSAI licence, Bill of Entry on ICEGATE, inspection and testing, NOC or rejection report, documents and the fees FSSAI lists. Official steps.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
What it is
Every consignment of imported food needs clearance from FSSAI. The importer must hold an FSSAI licence and the clearance runs through the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), which is linked to Customs.
The importer or customs broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE. If Customs' risk system says FSSAI clearance is needed, the Bill of Entry is referred to FICS, an Authorised Officer inspects and samples the goods, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is issued if the lab results conform.
Who needs it
Anyone importing food articles into India, including importers of ingredients and packaged food. The FSSAI licence is a mandatory document for the clearance, according to FSSAI's FAQ.
Official fees
| Fee | Official amount |
|---|---|
| FSSAI importer licence: initial payment with the application on FoSCoS | ₹1,000 + GSTChecked on official page SourceThe rest of the licence fee is paid once the application is marked eligible for grant. A licence can run for 1 to 5 years. |
| FSSAI importer licence: balance of the licence fee | Shown on FoSCoSTo confirm SourceThe manual says a differential payment is made later. The amount depends on the licence period, so we show no figure. |
| Visual inspection fee per consignment | ₹2,000Official document, older edition: To confirm SourceFrom FSSAI's FAQ of 15 January 2020. Confirm the current amount. |
| Lab testing per sample: infant nutrition foods and packaged drinking water | ₹12,000Official document, older edition: To confirm SourceFrom the same FAQ. |
| Lab testing per sample: all other food categories | ₹5,000Official document, older edition: To confirm SourceFrom the same FAQ. |
| Review application to FSSAI against a rejection | ₹2,000Official document, older edition: To confirm SourceSecond appeal to the CEO carries ₹5,000, per the same FAQ. |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay. Amounts marked To confirm could not be checked on an official page.
Documents to keep ready
- FSSAI licence (mandatory)
- Bill of Entry
- Bill of Lading
- Country of Origin Certificate
- Ingredient list
- Specimen copy of the label
- End use declaration
- If applicable: FSSAI product approval, Certificate of Analysis from the country of origin, commercial invoice cum packing list, and the declaration forms FSSAI lists for special cases
Steps to apply
- Get your IEC. Then apply for the FSSAI importer licence on FoSCoS (Form B). The licence is a Central licence issued by FSSAI regional offices. foscos.fssai.gov.in Fee: ₹1,000 + GST first
- Register yourself or your customs broker on FSSAI's Food Import Clearance System. fics.fssai.gov.in
- File the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE. If FSSAI clearance is needed, it is referred to FICS. icegate.gov.in
- The Authorised Officer checks documents and labels and fixes an inspection date. Fee: ₹2,000 (dated)
- Two samples are drawn and sent to an FSSAI notified NABL lab. Fee: ₹5,000 or ₹12,000 per sample (dated)
- If samples conform, an NOC is generated. If not, a non-conformity report rejects the clearance.
- If you disagree, file a review within 15 days in Form 6. Fee: ₹2,000 (dated)
Where to apply
- FSSAI Food Import Clearance System: Clearance of each consignment
- FoSCoS: Importer licence
- FSSAI FAQ on food import: Official documents and fee list
Govt License is not a government website. We never take government fees or apply for you.
Conditions of the import licence
FSSAI's FAQ lists two main duties. Tell the licensing authority about any change in activity, and file the annual return in Form D-1 with the regional office. A licence runs for one to five years as the importer chooses, and renewal should be applied for before expiry.