FSSAI Registration Online The right food licence under the 2026 rules, from ₹1,999
Get your FSSAI registration or licence filed on FoSCoS by a Chartered Accountant who checks your turnover and activity first, so the right category goes in the first time. Basic registration, State licence and Central licence, one fixed professional fee.
Reviewed by Regikart's CA team · Last updated 21 September 2026
Tell us your turnover and what you make or sell. A CA confirms your category before we file. Serving 250+ clients from Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru.
Fixed quote, before you pay
Get your FSSAI registration quote
Leave your name and number. Our team calls you, confirms which registration or licence your business needs and sends a fixed written quote, with the government fee shown separately.
- From ₹1,999, government fees (if any) at actuals
- Applications, documents and follow-up with the department handled by our team
- 250+ clients served from Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru, and remotely across India
What is FSSAI registration?
FSSAI registration is the permission every food business operator needs under section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to make, store, distribute, sell or import food. Small businesses take a Basic registration; larger ones take a State or Central licence.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) runs the system through its online portal, FoSCoS (foscos.fssai.gov.in). You apply in Form A for registration or Form B for a licence, and you receive a certificate with a 14-digit FSSAI number.
Your registration or licence number goes on your premises and, for packaged food, on the label. Food delivery apps and marketplaces ask for it before they list you.
Who needs FSSAI registration and which category applies
Anyone running a food business needs one of the three FSSAI credentials. Which one depends mainly on your annual turnover, and in some cases on your activity, whatever your turnover.
Turnover limits from 1 April 2026
FSSAI raised the limits with effect from 1 April 2026, as announced in its press release of 13 March 2026 and the FSSAI Order of the same date.
| Category | Annual turnover | Application form | Issued by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic registration | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Form A | Registering authority (state or local food safety office) |
| FSSAI State licence | Above ₹1.5 crore, up to ₹50 crore | Form B | State licensing authority |
| FSSAI Central licence | Above ₹50 crore, and activities listed below | Form B | Central licensing authority (FSSAI) |
Based on FSSAI's 13 March 2026 reforms.
Before 1 April 2026 the registration limit was ₹12 lakh and the State licence ran up to ₹20 crore. Many businesses that needed a State licence last year now qualify for Basic registration, and many that needed a Central licence now fall under the State licence.
Activities that always need a Central licence
Some kinds of business need a Central licence even if turnover is below ₹50 crore. FSSAI's eligibility criteria for each kind of business on FoSCoS, read with Schedule 1 of the Licensing and Registration Regulations, include food importers, e-commerce food businesses (the platform, or a brand selling through its own website or app), 100% export-oriented units, manufacturer-exporters, and a business operating in two or more states, which takes a Central licence for its head office. See activities that always need a Central licence for the full list.
A business that only sells through a third-party marketplace or delivery app licenses its own kitchen, factory or warehouse by turnover and activity. The platform must list only sellers with a valid FSSAI licence or registration and display the seller's number.
We check your activity against the FoSCoS eligibility criteria and the current Schedule 1 list before choosing the category. Getting this wrong is the most common reason an application is sent back.
Common food businesses and what they usually need
| Business | Usually needs | What decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Home kitchen, tiffin service, home baker | Basic registration | Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore |
| Cloud kitchen or small restaurant | Basic registration or State licence | Turnover; each kitchen premises needs its own credential |
| Café or restaurant chain in one state | State licence per outlet, or Basic for smaller outlets | Turnover of each premises |
| Food manufacturer or packer | Basic, State or Central | Turnover, and Schedule 1 activity |
| Trader, wholesaler, distributor | Basic, State or Central | Turnover |
| Importer of food or food ingredients | Central licence | Activity, whatever the turnover |
| E-commerce platform, or brand selling through its own website or app | Central licence | Activity, whatever the turnover |
| Seller on a third-party marketplace or delivery app | Basic, State or Central | Turnover and activity of your own kitchen, factory or warehouse |
| 100% export-oriented unit | Central licence | Activity, whatever the turnover |
| Manufacturer-exporter | Central licence | Activity, whatever the turnover |
| Business in two or more states | Central licence for the head office, plus a credential for each premises | Activity and turnover |
This table is a starting point. Your exact category depends on the kind of business you select on FoSCoS, and we confirm it in writing before filing.
Street food vendors
If you are a street food vendor registered with your municipal corporation or town vending committee under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, you are deemed registered under FSSAI. You do not need a separate FSSAI registration for the same activity.
FSSAI registration vs FSSAI licence
A registration is the lighter credential for smaller businesses; a licence is for bigger or higher-risk ones. The practical differences are the form, the documents and the chance of an inspection before approval.
| Point | Basic registration | State or Central licence |
|---|---|---|
| Turnover (from 1 April 2026) | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Above ₹1.5 crore (Central above ₹50 crore or for a listed kind of business) |
| Form | Form A | Form B |
| Documents | Identity, photo, premises proof, food categories | Everything for registration plus layout plan, equipment list, food safety plan, water test report where relevant, NOCs where applicable |
| Inspection before approval | Possible | More likely |
| Annual return (Form D-1) | Not for registration holders | Licensed manufacturers and importers |
What changed on 1 April 2026
Four things changed. The turnover limits rose, registrations and licences now have perpetual validity, street vendors registered under the 2014 Act are deemed registered, and FSSAI moved to risk-based inspections.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved these reforms and FSSAI announced them on 13 March 2026. FSSAI says they mean simpler compliance, less paperwork and lower fees for micro and small businesses. Inspections will now be planned by food risk, compliance history, third-party audit results and enforcement data, so a business with a clean record should see fewer visits.
Perpetual validity, but the annual fee continues
Your registration or licence no longer expires after one to five years. It stays valid until it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered.
Perpetual does not mean free for life. Under the amended regulations you must still pay the annual registration or licence fee. If the fee is not paid, the licence is treated as suspended, and running a business on a suspended licence is running it without a valid licence.
What existing licence holders should do now
- 1.Check your turnover against the new limits. A State licence holder with turnover under ₹1.5 crore may now fall under Basic registration; a Central licence holder under ₹50 crore with no other Central trigger, such as importing, an e-commerce platform or a multi-state head office, may now fall under the State licence.
- 2.Check that FoSCoS shows the move if you have changed category. Migration caused only by the revised thresholds is system based, carries no fee and keeps your licence number. Do not simply stop paying on the old licence, and check whether anything needs to change on the licence itself.
- 3.Check the validity shown on your FoSCoS dashboard. Before relying on perpetual validity for a licence issued before 1 April 2026, confirm what FoSCoS shows for your licence. If an end date is shown, act before it passes.
- 4.Keep paying the annual fee on time, and keep your Form D-1 filings current if you are a licensed manufacturer or importer.
We review existing licences as part of a category change or modification. Send us your licence number on WhatsApp and we tell you whether anything needs to change.
FSSAI registration fees
Our professional fee starts at ₹1,999. The government fee depends on your category and kind of business, is paid on FoSCoS, and we confirm the exact amount before we file.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Regikart professional fee, FSSAI registration (Form A) | From ₹1,999 |
| Regikart professional fee, State or Central licence (Form B) | On quote, in writing before we start |
| Government fee | As prescribed by FSSAI for your category, paid on FoSCoS; we confirm the exact amount before filing |
| Annual fee after approval | Payable every year to keep the registration or licence active; amount as prescribed by FSSAI for your category |
Professional fees exclude GST at 18%. Government fees, where they apply, are paid at actuals to the department and are shown separately. Fees verified on 21 September 2026.
Penalties are not fees. They are covered in their own section below.
What our fee includes
- A category check by a CA: turnover, kind of business and Schedule 1 activities
- FoSCoS account set-up and food category mapping
- Drafting and filing of Form A, or Form B for a licence
- Review of every document before upload, including premises proof and, for licences, the layout plan and food safety plan
- Replies to queries raised by the authority on the application
- Your certificate emailed to you, with a checklist for display, labels and the annual fee
Where your case needs a higher fee (for example a State or Central licence, several premises or a large product list), we quote it in writing before starting.
Documents required for FSSAI registration and licence
For Basic registration you need identity proof, a photograph, proof of your premises and a list of the foods you handle. A licence needs more: a layout plan, equipment details and a food safety management plan.
For Basic registration (Form A)
- Photo identity proof of the proprietor, partners or directors (Aadhaar, PAN, passport or voter ID)
- Recent passport-size photograph of the applicant
- Proof of possession of the premises: rent agreement with the owner's electricity bill, or your own electricity bill or property tax receipt
- List of food products or categories you will make, store or sell
- For a company, LLP or firm: incorporation certificate or partnership deed, and an authorisation for the signatory
Extra documents for a State or Central licence (Form B)
- Layout plan or blueprint of the processing, storage or kitchen area, with dimensions
- List of directors or partners with full addresses and contact details
- List of equipment and machinery, with number and installed capacity
- Water analysis report from a recognised laboratory, where water is used as an ingredient or for processing
- Food safety management system (FSMS) plan
- NOC from the municipality or panchayat, and pollution control board where applicable
- For importers: Import Export Code
- Form IX nomination of a responsible person, where the company is the applicant
The exact list depends on the kind of business you choose on FoSCoS. We send you a checklist for your category on day one.
FSSAI registration process on FoSCoS, step by step
The process has six steps and is fully online. Most delays come from choosing the wrong kind of business or uploading an unclear premises document.
- 01
Category check.
A CA confirms Basic, State or Central based on your turnover and activity.
- 02
FoSCoS account.
We create or use your FoSCoS login, verified by OTP on your mobile and email.
- 03
Application.
We fill Form A (registration) or Form B (licence), including the kind of business and food categories.
- 04
Documents.
We upload the documents after checking names, addresses and dates match.
- 05
Government fee and submission.
You pay the government fee on FoSCoS and the application is submitted. You receive an application reference number.
- 06
Scrutiny, inspection and certificate.
The authority reviews the application and may inspect the premises. We reply to any query. Once approved, the certificate with your 14-digit number is available on FoSCoS.
How long it takes
In our experience, Basic registration usually comes through in about 7 to 30 days, and a State or Central licence in about 30 to 60 days. These are our usual timelines, not legal limits. An inspection or a query adds time, which is why we check documents hard before filing.
Not sure which FSSAI category you fall into?
Send us your turnover, your products and your city on WhatsApp. A CA replies with your category and the documents you need.
Common reasons FSSAI applications are rejected or delayed
Most rejections come from a wrong category or weak documents, not from the food business itself. These are the problems we fix before filing:
- 1.Wrong category. Applying for Basic registration or a State licence when the kind of business, such as importing or running an e-commerce platform, needs a Central licence.
- 2.Wrong kind of business selected. A café registered as a trader, or a manufacturer registered as a retailer, leads to a query or rejection.
- 3.Premises proof in another person's name with no rent agreement or consent letter linking it to the applicant.
- 4.Old, cropped or unreadable documents.
- 5.Missing layout plan or food safety plan for a licence application.
- 6.Food categories that do not match the business, or categories left out that you actually handle.
- 7.No reply to the authority's query within the time given on FoSCoS.
- 8.Premises not ready at inspection, or a mismatch between what was declared and what the officer sees.
If your application was rejected, we read the rejection reason first, fix it and refile.
After you get your FSSAI number
Approval is the start of compliance, not the end. Three things matter every year: display, the annual fee and, for licensed manufacturers and importers, the annual return.
Display, labels and the annual fee
- Display the registration certificate or licence at a prominent place in your premises, vehicle or cart at all times.
- Print your FSSAI licence or registration number on the label of packaged food.
- Give your number to every delivery app and marketplace you sell through, and update it there if your category changes.
- Pay the annual fee on FoSCoS before it falls due. Non-payment leads to deemed suspension.
Annual return in Form D-1
Licensed food manufacturers and importers file an annual return in Form D-1 on FoSCoS by 31 May for the previous financial year. For the year ended 31 March 2026, that date was 31 May 2026. A late return attracts a penalty of ₹100 for each day of delay. Dairy licensees file a separate half-yearly return.
Modifying your licence
A change in your business name, address, products, category or responsible person needs a modification on FoSCoS. Some changes need only an update; others change the particulars printed on your licence and need a modification application with a government fee. We confirm the fee before filing. See FSSAI licence modification.
Penalty for running a food business without FSSAI
Running a business that needs an FSSAI licence without one is punishable under section 63 of the FSS Act with imprisonment up to six months and a fine up to ₹5 lakh.
Other contraventions carry separate penalties under the Act, such as up to ₹5 lakh for substandard food and up to ₹3 lakh for misbranded food. A missing or suspended licence also means delivery apps and marketplaces can delist you. Registering before you start trading avoids all of this.
Other registrations a food business usually needs
FSSAI is only one of the licences a food business needs. Depending on your size and location, plan for these as well:
- GST registration once your turnover crosses the GST limit, or earlier if you sell through marketplaces. FSSAI does not require GST, and GST does not replace FSSAI. See GST registration for food businesses.
- Trade licence from your municipal corporation for most shops, restaurants and kitchens: trade licence.
- Shop and establishment registration under your state's law for premises with staff: shop and establishment registration.
- Udyam registration to get MSME status and its benefits: Udyam registration.
- Import Export Code if you import or export food: IEC registration. Exporters of agricultural and processed food products in APEDA's schedule also take an RCMC through APEDA registration.
- Drug licence if you sell medicines as well as food: drug licence.
- Trademark to protect your food brand and packaging: register your brand name.
Need a licence rather than a Basic registration? See FSSAI State licence for turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, and FSSAI Central licence for turnover above ₹50 crore or a listed kind of business.
Why Regikart for FSSAI registration
Regikart Private Limited serves 250+ clients from offices in Kolkata (head office), Delhi and Bengaluru, with remote service across India. Every FSSAI application is checked by a Chartered Accountant before it is filed.
FSSAI registration in your city: Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad.
- Category first, filing second. We test turnover and activity against the 2026 limits and Schedule 1 before choosing Basic, State or Central.
- Fixed professional fee, shown upfront: from ₹1,999, with query replies included. Government fees are shown separately.
- Current law. The page and our filings follow the rules in force from 1 April 2026.
- One team for your food business compliance: FSSAI, GST, trade licence, Udyam and your accounts.
Get your FSSAI registration filed
If you are starting a food business, moving category under the new limits or fixing a rejected application, a CA can confirm your category today and file once documents are ready.
Get the right FSSAI credential the first time
From ₹1,999 professional fee. Government fee confirmed before filing. Category confirmed before we file.
Call +91 70444 94804 or email [email protected]. Offices in Kolkata (head office), Delhi and Bengaluru. Contact us.
FSSAI registration FAQs
Categories, fees, validity, timelines, documents and penalties under the 2026 rules.
What is FSSAI registration?
FSSAI registration is the permission a food business needs under section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Smaller businesses take a Basic registration in Form A; larger ones take a State or Central licence in Form B. You apply on the FoSCoS portal and receive a certificate with a 14-digit number to display at your premises.
What is the FSSAI turnover limit in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, Basic registration covers annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, a State licence covers turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore, and a Central licence applies above ₹50 crore. Before that, the limits were ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore. Some kinds of business, such as food importers and e-commerce food businesses, need a Central licence whatever the turnover.
What is the difference between FSSAI registration and an FSSAI licence?
Registration is for smaller food businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore and uses Form A with basic documents. A licence is for larger businesses or listed activities, uses Form B, and needs extra documents such as a layout plan, equipment list and food safety plan. Licence applications are also more likely to involve an inspection before approval.
State or Central FSSAI licence: which one do I need?
Take a State licence if your turnover is above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore and your business is not in one of the categories reserved for the Central licence. Take a Central licence if turnover is above ₹50 crore, or if you import food, run an e-commerce food platform or sell through your own website or app, run a 100% export-oriented unit, are a manufacturer-exporter, or operate in two or more states, where the head office needs a Central licence. Selling through a third-party marketplace does not by itself need a Central licence; your own premises are licensed by turnover and activity.
What is the FSSAI registration fee?
The government fee depends on your category and kind of business and is paid on FoSCoS when you apply. We confirm the exact amount for your case before filing. Regikart's professional fee starts at ₹1,999 plus GST and covers the category check, filing, document review and replies to queries. The annual fee must be paid every year after approval.
Is an FSSAI licence valid for life now?
Registrations and licences now have perpetual validity, so they no longer expire after a fixed term. They stay valid until suspended, cancelled or surrendered. You must still pay the annual registration or licence fee. If it is not paid, the licence is treated as suspended, and trading on a suspended licence is trading without a valid licence.
Do I need to renew my FSSAI licence after April 2026?
Credentials under the new rules do not need renewal, only the annual fee. If your licence was issued before 1 April 2026, check the validity shown on your FoSCoS dashboard before relying on perpetual validity, and act before any end date shown. Also check whether your turnover now puts you in a different category.
Is FSSAI registration required for a home kitchen or cloud kitchen?
Yes. A home kitchen, tiffin service or home baker needs at least a Basic registration, which covers turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. A cloud kitchen needs a registration or State licence for each kitchen premises depending on turnover. Food delivery apps ask for your FSSAI number before listing you, so apply before you go live.
Is GST registration required to get FSSAI?
No. FSSAI and GST are separate. You can get FSSAI registration without a GSTIN, and GST registration does not replace FSSAI. You need GST registration once your turnover crosses the GST limit or earlier in some cases, such as selling goods through a marketplace. Many food businesses need both.
What documents are required for FSSAI registration?
For Basic registration you need photo identity proof, a passport-size photograph, proof of your premises such as a rent agreement with the owner's electricity bill, and a list of food products. A State or Central licence also needs a layout plan, equipment list, food safety management plan, water test report where relevant and NOCs where applicable.
How long does FSSAI registration take?
In our experience, Basic registration usually comes through in about 7 to 30 days and a State or Central licence in about 30 to 60 days. These are our usual timelines, not legal limits. A premises inspection or a query from the authority adds time, so complete and clear documents make the biggest difference.
What is the penalty for running a food business without FSSAI?
Under section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, running a food business that needs a licence without one is punishable with imprisonment up to six months and a fine up to ₹5 lakh. Selling substandard or misbranded food carries separate penalties, and delivery apps and marketplaces can delist a business without a valid number.
Who has to file the FSSAI annual return in Form D-1?
Licensed food manufacturers and importers file Form D-1 on FoSCoS by 31 May for the previous financial year. A late return attracts a penalty of ₹100 for each day of delay. Basic registration holders who are not manufacturers or importers do not file Form D-1. Dairy licensees file a separate half-yearly return.
Street food vendor ko alag se FSSAI registration lena padega kya?
Not if you are already registered with your municipal corporation or town vending committee under the Street Vendors Act, 2014. From the 2026 reforms, such vendors are deemed registered under FSSAI, so no separate registration is needed for the same activity. If you are not registered as a street vendor, you need a Basic FSSAI registration.