- Home
- All Licences
- Licence guides
- Trade licence in Kochi
Trade license in Kochi (trade licence)
The trade licence fee for every business type in Kochi, the documents and where to apply.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Issued by
Kochi Municipal Corporation
Fee, retail shop
₹500 to ₹15,000
per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakh
Apply at
lsgkerala.gov.in (K-SWIFT single window)
Fee for a retail shop Checked on official site Source
What it is and who needs it
A trade licence is permission from your city to run a trade or business at your premises. In Kochi it comes from the Kochi Municipal Corporation.
Issued by the corporation under the Kerala Municipality (Issue of Licence to Factories, Trades, Entrepreneurship Activities and Other Services) Rules, 1996. The annual fee depends on your capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakh, ₹1,000 up to ₹25 lakh, ₹5,000 up to ₹2 crore, ₹10,000 up to ₹5 crore, ₹15,000 above.
Depends on the city and trade. See the Metro Guide for each city's rules.
Official fee by business
The fee depends on the type of business. Some fees also depend on size or seats.
| Business | Licence | Official fee | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant or Café | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Cloud Kitchen | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Bakery or Sweet Shop | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Home Food or Tiffin Business | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Catering Business | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Grocery or Kirana Store | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Retail Shop | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Pharmacy or Medical Store | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Online Selling Business | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Salon or Beauty Parlour | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Gym or Fitness Studio | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Clinic | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Coaching or Tuition Centre | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Office or Agency | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
| Import Export Business | Licence for trades and other services (Kerala Municipality Rules, 1996) | ₹500 to ₹15,000per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakhChecked on official site Source | 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay.
Documents to keep ready
- ID proof of the owner
- Lease deed or ownership certificate of the premises
- For workplaces using machinery: consent to establish from the Pollution Control Board, fire NOC or NOC from the District Medical Officer
Steps to apply
- Collect the documents listed here.
- Apply online at lsgkerala.gov.in (K-SWIFT single window).
- Pay the official fee: the fee for your business type from the table above.
- Wait for the result. Usual time: 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection.
- Keep the certificate safe. Validity: Annual. Renew 30 days before expiry; 25% extra if late.
Where to apply
Kochi Municipal Corporation. Official portal: lsgkerala.gov.in (K-SWIFT single window).
Common questions
Do I need a trade licence in Kochi?
Yes, for most businesses. Issued by the corporation under the Kerala Municipality (Issue of Licence to Factories, Trades, Entrepreneurship Activities and Other Services) Rules, 1996. The annual fee depends on your capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakh, ₹1,000 up to ₹25 lakh, ₹5,000 up to ₹2 crore, ₹10,000 up to ₹5 crore, ₹15,000 above. It is issued by the Kochi Municipal Corporation.
How much is a trade licence in Kochi?
For a retail shop the official fee is ₹500 to ₹15,000 (per year by capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakh). Fees for other businesses are in the table above.
Where do I apply for a trade licence in Kochi?
On the official portal at lsgkerala.gov.in (K-SWIFT single window).
How long does a trade licence take in Kochi?
5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection. Validity: Annual. Renew 30 days before expiry; 25% extra if late.
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.
Business guides for Kochi
Each guide lists every licence the business needs in Kochi, including the trade licence.
Restaurant or Café Cloud Kitchen Bakery or Sweet Shop Home Food or Tiffin Business Catering Business Grocery or Kirana Store Retail Shop Pharmacy or Medical Store Online Selling Business Salon or Beauty Parlour Gym or Fitness Studio Clinic Coaching or Tuition Centre Office or Agency Import Export Business