Import and export, decided before the ship sails.
Nobody loses a container to a subtle point of law. They lose it to shelf life, the label, the port or a lapsed IEC — and every one of those can be checked weeks before loading.
Six rules that decide clearance.
From the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations 2017, as compiled 06.11.2025, and FSSAI’s Food Imports Manual.
A consignment must have at least 60% of its shelf life left, or three months — whichever is less. On a two-year product three months governs. On a sixty-day product it is 36 days.
Reg. 5(6)Importer’s name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number, veg/non-veg mark, category name for proprietary food, and anything FSSAI later allows. Everything else must be right on arrival.
Reg. 6(4)A label or pack that fails the rules is rejected at visual inspection — no sample is drawn, so there is no lab report to contest.
Reg. 6(10)Milk products, egg powder, meat, fish, infant nutrition, nutraceuticals, health supplements, dietary foods, probiotics, special medical foods — only through designated ports.
Food Imports Manual, Annexure 2If DGFT suspends or cancels your IEC, your FSSAI import licence is deemed cancelled with it.
Reg. 4(4)That is how long you have to seek a review of a rejection. Miss it and the container is lost.
Reg. 15(2)(b)Small exporter? Still Central.
FoSCoS carries three export kinds of business, all Central, none with a turnover threshold. Applying the usual ₹1.5 crore band puts a small exporter on a ₹100 registration — the wrong licence from the wrong authority.
Importing to make for export?Regulation 7(3) lets a manufacturer importing for captive use or for 100% export skip FSSAI clearance with a Form-8 declaration. Trading entities are excluded by name.
100% Export Oriented Unit
Manufactures only for export and holds a 100% EOU certificate. Product need not meet FSSAI standards.
Central Licence · ₹7,500 · no turnover threshold
Exporter — manufacturer
Makes food to the importing country’s law rather than FSSAI’s standards.
Central Licence · ₹7,500 · no turnover threshold
Trader or merchant exporter
Buys finished food and exports it. FSSAI standards still apply in full.
Central Licence · ₹7,500 · no turnover threshold
Before, during and after the port.
Licence and IEC
Central Licence under the right import or export kind of business, linked to your IEC — and a watch on the IEC’s annual update.
OncePre-shipment check
The last date the consignment may arrive for its shelf life, the label against Indian rules, and whether your port handles the category.
Every shipmentAt the port
If a consignment is held, the right response inside the time it allows — including the 15 working days to seek review of a rejection.
When neededAfter clearance
Stock taken out within 30 days of the NOC, records kept, and the next shipment planned with what this one taught.
Every shipmentOur promises, in writing
You get the fee before we start. If the scope changes, you hear it from us before it costs you.
We file on your own FoSCoS account with your approval. Nothing to hand back if you ever leave.
Straight to FSSAI on FoSCoS. It never passes through us.
Each requirement comes with the regulation behind it — and our readings are marked as ours.
Import and export questions
Is a health certificate needed for my product?
It depends on the product and the exporting country, and FSSAI’s requirement has been extended “till further orders”. We check the current position for your product before you ship rather than quote a rule that may have moved.
What is the import clearance fee?
Regulation 5(1) requires a non-refundable clearance fee as specified by FSSAI. It is paid with each clearance application, separately from your licence fee.
Can labels be corrected at the port?
Only five elements, by one non-detachable sticker in the customs-bonded warehouse: importer name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number, the veg/non-veg mark, the category name for proprietary food, and anything FSSAI later adds.
The authorities behind this service.
Logos are shown only to identify each body and remain the property of their owners. FoodRaksha is an independent consultancy and is not endorsed by, accredited by or affiliated with any of these authorities.
Tell us what’s shipping, and when.
Product, origin, port and shelf life. We’ll tell you the last day it can arrive and what the label needs.
- Government fee paid by you, directly to FSSAI
- Filed under your own FoSCoS login
- Fixed fee, confirmed in writing before we start
Not ready to talk? Get the free 2026 checklist or find your licence yourself.