Online FSSAI License for Importers: How is food products imported in India?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has the major responsibility of monitoring the food products being provided to customers in the country. Amongst this only, FSSAI takes control of all the food articles coming in the country from other nations i.e. Import of food products.

Before reaching the final customer, the imported food articles had to go through thorough scrutiny of FSSAI to ensure their quality. Therefore, it is very important for the importers of food articles to know about the law and regulations that they had to follow in order to perform their business operations uninterrupted.

Regulatory Bodies Administering the Import of Food Products in the country:

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
• Ministry of Agriculture, Department for Plant Quarantine Organization
• Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying & Fisheries department 
• Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs

Steps involved in importing Food Articles into the country:

Step 1: Custom Clearance

The authorized Customs Agent verifies the consignment carrying food articles and clears such consignment after lawful completion of customs formalities including payment of customs duty.

Step 2: Applying FSSAI Clearance

After Customs Department clearance has been provided, the CHA shall file an application in the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) of FSSAI in order to obtain the No Objection Certificate.

Step 3: Consignment Inspection & Sampling 

The authorized official of FSSAI will verify the documents and upon acceptance of the application, the importer shall make payment of FSSAI fees. The FSSAI Officer does a physical inspection of the consignment.

Step 4: Food Product approval

After confirming the conclusion report from the authorized lab, issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC)/Non-Conformance Certificate (NCC).

After which the consignment of food products will be cleared for import.

Process for Importers to apply for FSSAI License:

Step 1: Create Login or Signup through user login ID on foscos.fssai.gov.in

Step 2: On the left Menu click on License/Registration and then select “Apply for License/Registration”

Step 3: The User shall select the State.

Step 4: from the Group Heads select “Importers” as the kind of business.

Step 5: After selecting Importers, a drop-down option will appear. Select the “Importers” button and click on “Proceed” to apply for Central License.

Step 6: FORM B will appear on the screen. Fill in the requisite details including communication details, GST/PAN/CIN number in the required fields.

Step 7: Now enter the details of DGFT. Then select the button “Proceed with DGFT Authentication”.

Afterward, the details will appear on the screen, click on the “Save” button to proceed further.

Step 8: After the DGFT validation has been done successfully, click on the “Save & Next” button.

Step 9: On the next page upload the required documents by clicking on the option of “Choose file” for each document. After uploading the documents, click on the “Save and Next button” to proceed.

Step 10: Now pay the requisite amount to Govt. fees.

Step 11: A 17-digit reference number will be generated after the completion of the payment. You can use this reference number to track the status of your application.

The user can easily track his application through the option of “Track Application” available on the homepage of FoSCoS.

The importer of food products must at all times comply with the rules and regulations laid down by the Act before importing the food products into the country.