Starting a Business
Tatkal FSSAI Registration: Eligibility, Fees and Step-by-Step Process (2026)
Who can get an instant FSSAI licence on FoSCoS, what it costs, and the catch most people miss
5 min read
Start your Food Business. Get FSSAI.
Every food business in India needs an FSSAI registration or licence, cloud kitchens included. Which of the three you need comes down to your turnover and whether you export.
- We establish first whether you need Basic, State or Central
- The business codes and food categories confirmed with you before filing
- Application prepared and filed on the FoSCoS portal
+2 moreShow less
- Follow-up with the department until the certificate is granted
- A dedicated relationship manager from start to finish
Get started today
Close the formA few details, then secure checkout. Your expert takes it from there.
Starting at₹2,899+ Govt. Fees
- Your details stay confidential
- Secure online payments
- Queries answered in 24 business hours
- 10,000+ Businesses served
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee policy
- 4.7/5 Ratings On Google
Prefer to talk to someone first?
What FSSAI registration is
What the authority does, who has to register with it, and how long the certificate lasts.
FSSAI is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, an independent body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It sets the standards for food in India and regulates how food is manufactured, stored and handled by food business operators.
What you get is a 14 digit licence number, which has to be printed on all your food products alongside the FSSAI logo. It can be applied for from one year up to five at a time, and renewed or re-applied for under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Everyone starting a food business needs it, including a cloud kitchen selling only through Swiggy or Zomato. The part that is not obvious is which of the three you need: Basic Registration, a State licence or a Central licence. That is decided by turnover, and by one other thing. Any export at all, however small, puts you on the Central licence regardless of size.
- Regulated by
- FSSAI
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Licence number
- 14 digits
- Printed on every product, with the logo
- Basic registration
- Under ₹12 lakh
- Annual turnover
- State licence
- ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore
- Annual turnover
- Central licence
- Over ₹20 crore
- Or any export, at any turnover
- Valid for
- 1 to 5 years
- You choose the term when applying
- Renew
- 30 days before expiry
- ₹100 a day late, from day 31
Why food businesses choose LegalWiz.in
- A team of qualified company secretaries and chartered accountants
- A dedicated relationship manager with on-call support
- Affiliates in cities across the country for anything that has to be done locally
- The business codes and food categories confirmed with you before filing
- Regular follow-up with the department, which is what a licence application needs
- The entire process handled online
What the service covers
The application itself is short. Choosing the right category, and following it up, is the work.
- Consultancy on whether Basic Registration, a State licence or a Central licence applies
- Collection and review of the documents against the checklist
- Confirming the business codes and food categories with you
- Drafting of the declarations, authority letter and board resolution as required
- Preparation and filing of the application on the FoSCoS portal
- Follow-up with the department until the certificate is granted
One licence covers one premises, and every kind of food activity carried on at that premises can go on a single licence. A second premises needs its own.
What a licence needs that a registration does not
Layout plan
A blueprint of the premises. Required for a State and a Central licence, and not for Basic Registration.
Form B, not Form A
A licence is applied for in Form B. Basic Registration uses Form A.
Everything else is the same
ID proof, address proof, the food safety management plan, the declaration, the authority letter, proof of possession, the property tax bill and the product list are common to all three.
What the licence does for the business
Customers can see the standard
The logo and number on a pack tell a customer the food inside was made to the hygiene standards the authority sets. With the range of products on a shelf, that mark is most of what a buyer has to go on.
The business is lawful, and the penalties are off
A licence is compulsory for every food business. Operating without one leaves you exposed to penalties that holding the right registration simply removes, and it is an advantage over a competitor trading without one.
It builds the brand
A pack carrying the FSSAI mark reads as a business that has been checked, which spreads by itself and is what a retailer or an aggregator looks for before taking a product on.
Basic Registration, State licence or Central licence
Turnover decides it in most cases. Export decides it in every case: any export at all puts you on the Central licence whatever your turnover is.
| Attribute | Basic Registration | State Licence | Central Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which one applies to you | |||
| Under ₹12 lakhAnnual turnover below ₹12 lakh. Mostly hawkers, petty retailers and temporary stall holders, and it is the usual answer for a small online food trader. | ₹12 lakh to ₹20 croreAnnual turnover above ₹12 lakh and up to ₹20 crore. | Over ₹20 croreAnnual turnover of ₹20 crore and above. | |
| Not enoughTurnover does not decide it once there is an export. A business below ₹12 lakh that exports needs the Central licence. | Not enoughThe same applies here. Even a very small consignment going outside India takes the business to the Central licence. | RequiredA Central licence is mandatory for both export and import of food products, whatever the size of the business. | |
| Per premisesEach premises registers separately in the state it sits in. | Per premisesEach unit takes its own State licence in the state it operates in, based on that unit’s own turnover or capacity. | For the head officeA business operating in two or more states takes a Central licence for its registered or head office, in addition to a licence or registration for each individual unit. | |
| What the application needs | |||
| Form ACompleted and signed, submitted through the FoSCoS portal. | Form BCompleted and signed, submitted through the FoSCoS portal. | Form BCompleted and signed, submitted through the FoSCoS portal. | |
| Not requiredNo blueprint of the premises is asked for. | RequiredA blueprint of the area has to go in with the application. | RequiredA blueprint of the area has to go in with the application. | |
| State authorityThe licensing authority for the state the premises is in. | State authorityThe licensing authority for the state the unit operates in. | Central authorityFSSAI’s central licensing authority. | |
| What you owe afterwards | |||
| Not requiredThe annual return applies to manufacturers and importers holding a licence. | If you manufacture or importForm D1 by 31 May each year, for a licensee who manufactures, repacks or imports. A manufacturer of milk and milk products files Form D2 half-yearly instead, within a month of the half-year ending. | If you manufacture or importForm D1 by 31 May each year. A merchant exporter can file a quarterly report online. | |
| Next step | |||
Swipe the table sideways. Open any attribute to read the detail behind all 3 answers.
Customer reviews
What our clients say
- Rated 5 out of 5
Had a great experience with LegalWiz for my trademark registration. The service was smooth, and the after sales support was excellent. Although the filing took around 3 days, the team stayed connected throughout, provided clear updates, and there were no communication issues. Overall, a very professional and reliable experience.
Vishvam PGJune 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
Had a wonderful experience. The team was very supportive, responsive and completed everything on time. Thank you for the excellent support.
Ujwala ShettyJune 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
Jignesh was very helpful and amazing while filling the compliance form for my business. Will take your service again.
Sumit YadavApril 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
Good support team. No hindrance in executions. Go for it.
Upkar ChaurasiyaApril 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
JIGNESH BHAI, I wanted to take some time to sincerely thank you for your incredible support with my MSME registration through LegalWiz. From start to finish, Jignesh Bhai, your guidance, patience, and professionalism made what could have been a stressful and confusing process feel completely smooth and manageable. You took the time to explain every step clearly, answered all my questions patiently, and ensured that nothing was left uncertain. Your attention to detail and dedication truly stood out, and it gave me a lot of confidence throughout the process. I really appreciate the effort, care, and commitment you put into helping me. Jignesh Bhai, your service has been exceptional, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Heartfelt thanks once again!
Rahul SharmaApril 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
Highly recommend services from Legalwiz. Got my LLP conversion process faster. Helpful staff.
Sharad PatelJanuary 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
Limited Liability PartnershipHad a great experience working with the team! They handled my LLP registration smoothly, guided me clearly through every step, and were always quick to respond. Really appreciate their professionalism and support. Highly recommended!
Rishi KhannaJanuary 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
They are so quick and highly professional and experienced in the industry to carry out the requirement. Loved their services.
SHASHANK S PANDEYJanuary 2026 - Rated 5 out of 5
Trademark RegistrationVery fast & timely service. The team was very helpful and helped me find out if the brand name was available or not over the call itself without any extra cost or charge. Brilliant service, very clear communication, timely delivery & transperant pricing. Cheers!
Naman PiparaOctober 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
Trademark RegistrationSatisfied with your unit service and fee grateful to connect with you service providers staff thanks regards Shivlal
SHIVLAL MALVIYAOctober 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
File INC-20AI am very much satisfied with their service for INC 20 A. i will recommend them and definitely will keep in mind for any other service.
MANINDER KaurMarch 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
Close a Private Limited Companyexcellent, i appreciate accountability and transparency in the process
Aditya BansalMarch 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
Private Limited CompanyLegalwiz is doing its best to give good service to clients.
Sunil ChauhanMarch 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
Trademark RegistrationRecently got Trade Mark registered
Devendra DklMarch 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
Trademark RegistrationIt was an amazing experience from the support team. Thank you...
Aswin MMarch 2025 - Rated 5 out of 5
GST RegistrationHad a Seamless Experience in registering for GST. Been associated with them for 5 yrs now, and have done several LLP and GST registrations. Happy with their service, so i keep coming back.
Mr KarthikFebruary 2025
Documents required for FSSAI registration
This is the common checklist. A State or Central licence adds two items, which the panel above sets out.
Photo ID proof
Of the proprietor, partners or directors.
Address proof
Of the applicant.
Proof of possession of the premises
The document establishing your right to occupy the place of business.
Property tax bill
For the premises the food business operates from.
Food safety management plan
The plan setting out how food is handled and kept safe at the premises.
Product list
The list of products the business will deal in, which is what decides the food categories on the licence.
Declaration form
The declaration prescribed for the application.
Authority letter
Authorising the person making the application on behalf of the business.
Get your FSSAI registration in three easy steps
Step 01
Answer a few quick questions
- Spend a few minutes on a simple set of questions
- Share the basic details and documents against the checklist
- Pay through a secure payment gateway
Step 02
Our experts take over
- We establish which of the three applies to your turnover and activities
- Queries on the documents are resolved with you
- The business codes and food categories are confirmed
- The application is filed on the FoSCoS portal
Step 03
Your certificate is granted
- We follow the application up with the department
- The registration or licence is shared with you
Subject to government processing time.
How long the registration takes
About a week of work on our side for a Basic Registration. A State or Central licence takes longer, as the note below explains.
Days 1 to 2
2 of 10 working days
- Seeking the information from you and reviewing it
- Resolving queries on the documents
Days 3 to 4
2 of 10 working days
- Filling in the registration form
- Gathering the remaining documents
- Confirming the business codes and food categories with you
Day 5
1 of 10 working days
- Filing the application for registration with FSSAI
Days 6 to 10
5 of 10 working days
- Government processing time
- Follow-up with the department on the application
Subject to government processing time. A State or Central licence runs longer at every stage: document review over days 1 to 4, the form over days 5 to 9, filing on days 10 to 11, and the department from day 12. A State licence commonly takes more than 50 to 60 working days at the department’s end.
Your growth
Supported by our partners
Leverage best deals offered by the industry leaders and experience mutual growth.
Have questions? Find answers here
Still have a question? Our team is happy to help, at no charge and with no obligation to buy anything.
I have outlets in several states. Can one licence cover all of them?
No. You take a Central licence for the registered or head office of the business, and a separate licence or registration for each unit in each state it operates in.
Each of those is granted by the central or the state authority depending on that unit’s own capacity or turnover.
I only export a very small amount. Can I stay on a Basic or State licence?
No. Turnover stops deciding the question once there is any export at all.
Where export is part of the business, even for a small share of it, the Central licence is what applies.
Can I apply for the licence myself?
Yes. The process is entirely online from application to approval, under the FSS Regulations, 2011.
What makes it harder than it looks is the paperwork around it, because the board resolution, the authority letter and the self-declaration all have to be drafted properly, and the follow-up. A State licence commonly sits with the department for more than 50 to 60 working days, and regular follow-up is what moves it.
When does the licence have to be renewed?
The renewal application is filed within 30 days before the licence expires. The option opens 120 days before expiry.
A renewal filed after that 30 day window attracts a penalty of ₹100 a day until it is submitted.
Do I have to file an annual return?
A licensee who manufactures, repacks or imports food products files an annual return in Form D1 by 31 May.
A manufacturer of milk and milk products files Form D2 half-yearly instead, within a month of the half-year ending. A merchant exporter can file a quarterly report online.
How long can a licence run for?
From one year up to a maximum of five at a time. You choose the term when you apply, and the same range applies on renewal.
Do 100% export units need a licence?
Yes. FSSAI licensing covers both export and import of food products, so an export unit needs the Central licence.
What is FoSCoS?
The Food Safety Compliance System, the online portal FSSAI built to handle applications, renewals and registrations.
The documents it asks for are the same documents FSSAI has always asked for. FoSCoS is the route, not a separate requirement.
Who has to register on FoSCoS?
Every food and beverage business in India: manufacturers, processors, storage units, transporters, distributors and retailers.
Do catering establishments under the central government need a licence?
Yes. Every catering establishment needs one, including those run under central government bodies such as the railways, airports, seaports and defence.
Is a licence needed for utensils or packaging material?
No. Utensils and packaging materials are not food within the meaning of section 3(n) of the FSS Act, 2006, so no registration or licence is required for them.
I run several kinds of food business from one premises. Do I need several licences?
No. The licence is granted on the premises, so every kind of food business operated from the same premises goes on a single licence.
From the blog
Related articles
Business RegistrationsStarting a Microgreen Farm in India: Build a Home-Based Business
Urban homes are getting smaller, but food choices are getting sharper. This shift has quietly pushed microgreens from niche kitchens into mainstream demand.
5 min read
Manage your businessWho Needs FSSAI License Registration in India? Eligibility, Fees, and Process Explained
“Safe food, healthy nation.” This isn’t just a slogan. It’s the mission behind India’s food safety laws.
10 min read
Get your FSSAI registration or licence
We work out which of the three applies before anything is filed.
Get started- Secure payment
- Prompt support
- Fully online
- No hidden fees