{"id":11145,"date":"2020-06-20T11:45:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-20T06:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/?p=11145"},"modified":"2020-06-22T14:48:29","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T09:18:29","slug":"import-food-products-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Import Food Products in India?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In order to import food products in India, importers must\nget an <strong><em>FSSAI certificate<\/em><\/strong>. The growth of food products business in\nIndia has been phenomenal in a few decades. Since India has always been popular\nas the heaven for food lovers, people of India are satiating their <strong><em>gustation\nbuds<\/em><\/strong> with exclusive sumptuous delicacies of other countries in their\nnation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The availability of food, as well as beverages of other\ncountries in India, has served the people with a wide variety of food items and\nbeverages of different kinds as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Indian government has set regulatory bodies to import\nfood products in India. FSSAI is the regulatory body that has established norms\nwith respect to the import of food products in Indian boundaries. Also, the <strong><em>apex\ncontrolling authority, FSSAI<\/em><\/strong>, keep changing the criteria by bringing\namendments in the guidelines. Following the guidelines and standards fixed by\nFSSAI is essential for businesses and entrepreneurs before taking further steps\nto import food products in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All the businesses, as well as entrepreneurs devising strategies to import food products in India, must comply with the FSSAI rules and regulations. Non-compliance with the FSSAI guidelines would lead to rejection of their consignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Licenses_and_Registrations_Prior_to_Import_Food_Products_in_India\" >Licenses and Registrations Prior to Import Food Products in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Essentials_to_Become_a_Registered_Food_Importer\" >Essentials to Become a Registered Food Importer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Stages_for_Clearance_before_the_Import_of_Food_Products\" >Stages for Clearance before the Import of Food Products<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Steps_to_Import_Food_Products_in_India\" >Steps to Import Food Products in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Mandatory_Documents_for_FSSAI_Clearance\" >Mandatory Documents for FSSAI Clearance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Is_FSSAI_Central_License_a_Prerequisite_to_Import_Food_Products_in_India\" >Is FSSAI Central License a Prerequisite to Import Food Products in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/import-food-products-in-india\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Licenses_and_Registrations_Prior_to_Import_Food_Products_in_India\"><\/span>Licenses and Registrations Prior to Import Food Products in India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the intent to import food products in India, obtaining\nthese registrations and licenses are the first and foremost priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Given below are the mandatory licenses and registrations for importing\nfood consignments to India-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LLP or Private Limited Company<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it is not mandatory to obtain, it is valuable in\nthe way that it upgrades the business transferability and set limits on\npersonal liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Importer Exporter Code from the DGFT Office<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The requirement of Importer Exporter Coder from the office\nof Director General of Foreign Trade is for import or export of goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GST&nbsp;Registration <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/gst-registration\"><strong>Registration of\u00a0GST<\/strong><\/a> is crucial for selling goods or products in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FSSAI Approval<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>FSSAI approves those imported food products that conform to\nthe FSSAI guidelines. Furthermore, Authorities won&#8217;t be giving approval to\nthose imported products which are not in accordance with the food standards set\nby FSSAI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Licenses and Permits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Other licenses and permits like <strong><em>Import Permit, Certification of Origin, Sanitary Import Permit, Analysis Certificate with Ingredients,<\/em><\/strong> etc., are also relevant for importing food products in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"592\" height=\"593\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-140.png\" alt=\"Licenses and Permits Import Food Products\" class=\"wp-image-11237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-140.png 592w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-140-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-140-300x300.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Essentials_to_Become_a_Registered_Food_Importer\"><\/span>Essentials to Become a Registered Food Importer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The following essentials would help you in becoming a registered food\nimporter-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Get your business registered as a partnership, sole proprietorship, and public limited or <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/company-registration\"><strong>private limited company<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li><li>Importer Exporter Code (commonly known as IE Code) circulated by DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade)<\/li><li>VAT Registration with associated authority for sale at the domestic level<\/li><li>FSSAI operates an automated FICS (expanded as Food Imports Clearance System). An importer can take charge of registering the essential compliances under the Food Imports Clearance System or clearance of customs on his own, or also he may look for hiring a Custom Handling Agent for the same. <\/li><li>If the food products that would get imported fall under the category of non-standardized products, product approval from FSSAI will be the requirement.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-left\"><b>Read our article<\/b>:<mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/responsibilities-of-food-business-operators-in-india\/\">What are the Responsibilities of Food Business Operators in India?\n<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stages_for_Clearance_before_the_Import_of_Food_Products\"><\/span>Stages for Clearance before the Import of Food Products<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The <strong><em>Department of Customs<\/em><\/strong> needs to clear Application for Custom Clearance.<\/li><li>Application of NOC or Provisional NOC to FICS, i.e., <strong><em>Food Import Clearance System of FSSAI.<\/em><\/strong><\/li><li>All the documents must get examined as well as supported by the <strong><em>FSSAI Authorized Officer<\/em><\/strong> or other authorized persons working in the department. <\/li><li>After the visual inspection of the consignment, Authorized Officer associated with FSSAI need to inform the date along with the time of the visual inspection, which should get duly acknowledged by <strong><em>CHA\/importer. <\/em><\/strong><\/li><li>Analysis of laboratory samples collected should take place, meeting pace with the parameters and standards. It must be in accordance with <strong><em>FSS Act 2006. <\/em><\/strong><\/li><li>Issuing of <strong><em>No-objection Certificate or Provisional No-objection Certificate<\/em><\/strong> by FICS of FSSAI.<\/li><li>After the allotment of No Objection Certificate by FICS of FSSAI, the consignment gets <strong><em>customs clearance <\/em><\/strong>for the purpose of use or sale in the confines of India.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"shadow1\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> Amid COVID-19 Lockdown, Food Import Clearance has become an essential service.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Steps_to_Import_Food_Products_in_India\"><\/span>Steps to Import Food Products in India <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If an importer is all set to import food products in India, he should follow the steps given below-&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"463\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-132.png\" alt=\"Steps to Import Food Products in India\" class=\"wp-image-11148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-132.png 576w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-132-300x241.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customs Department Clearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Importing food business operators should\nprepare a <em>Letter\nof Authority<\/em> in favor of a CHA, i.e., Customs Handling\nAgent directing FSSAI or Authorized Officer before the arrival of food\nconsignment via air or seaport in India. At the time consignment arrives, the <em>Customs\nHandling Agent<\/em> on the basis of Letter of Authorization will\napply for the consignment clearance with the Customs Department based on the\nBill of Entry. Thereafter, a government Custom Agent will proceed with the\nverification of the consignment and go on clearing the same after the <em>Customs\nFormalities Clearance and Customs Duty Payment<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FSSSAI Clearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After acquiring clearance from the Customs\nDepartment, the Customs Handling Agent needs to file an application in the <em>FICS\nof FSSAI<\/em> to attain the No Objection\nCertificate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mandatory_Documents_for_FSSAI_Clearance\"><\/span>Mandatory Documents for FSSAI Clearance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>IEC (<a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/iec-registration\"><strong>Importer Exporter Code Registration<\/strong><\/a>) allotted by the DGFT&nbsp;<\/li><li>FSSAI Food Business License\/FSSAI Registration<\/li><li>Examination Order Generated by Electronic Data Interchange System of Customs, demanding NOC from FSSAI in it<\/li><li>Bill of Entry&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, there is a requirement for\nadditional documents like Import Permit, Certificate of Origin, Sanitary Import\nPermit, Phyto-Sanitary Certificate, End-Use Declaration, Bill of Lading, and\nmore documents in the hours of importing food products in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inspection &amp; Sampling of the Consignment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>&nbsp;Along with the mandatory documents, an application would get created in FICS. FSSAI Officer will take the responsibility of verifying the submitted documents. In case of the application&#8217;s acceptance, the importer would have to deposit fees for the FSSAI Clearance. The FSSAI will verify and inspect the consignment on a fixed time and date.&nbsp; <\/li><li>After Visual Inspection gets over, the <strong><em>FSSAI officer<\/em><\/strong> will pick two samples from the consignment and draft them for testing purposes. From the two samples, one properly sealed and labelled food sample will be allotted to a laboratory selected on a random basis made by the FICS. If the need arises, the second food sample will get stored in proper conditions for <strong><em>re-testing. <\/em><\/strong><\/li><li>The Authorized Officer will send the samples of imported food to the laboratory for analysis as per the <em><strong>FSS Act guidelines<\/strong><\/em><sup><a href=\"https:\/\/fssai.gov.in\/cms\/food-safety-and-standards-act-2006.php\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/sup>. The lab must send its report to the Authorized officer in the time limit of <strong><em>five days<\/em><\/strong> along with the opinion regarding the product tested as <strong><em>conforming or non-conforming.<\/em><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food Product Approval <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>No Objection Certificate or Non-Conformance Certificate<\/em><\/strong> will get dispensed by the Inspector if the accredited\nlaboratory circulates a report of an approved conclusion that asserts that a <strong><em>food\nconsignment complies with the FSSAI controls<\/em><\/strong>. Finally, the food\nproducts would get the clearance for import in India and also would get\ndischarged from the <strong><em>Traditional Distribution Center.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_FSSAI_Central_License_a_Prerequisite_to_Import_Food_Products_in_India\"><\/span>Is FSSAI Central License a Prerequisite to Import Food Products in India?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to provide assistance to the food businesses, most of the importers are getting food products from various countries to satisfy Indian consumers&#8217; demands. There are several guidelines that all the importers should know to import food products in India. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The question of the initial level for them is if the <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/fssai-license\"><strong>FSSAI License<\/strong><\/a> a requirement for importers. The government has made the implementation of the <strong><em>IE Code<\/em><\/strong> granted by <strong><em>DGFT for import or export<\/em><\/strong> of any product. <\/li><li>Along with that, an FSSAI License is mandatory for food business operators. The process through which you can apply for the FSSAI Import License is too easy. <\/li><li>The government fees for <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/central-fssai-license\"><strong>FSSAI Central License<\/strong><\/a> for one year are <strong><em>Rs 7500,<\/em><\/strong> and as a <strong><em>validity period<\/em><\/strong>, one can get up to <strong><em>five years<\/em><\/strong>. It&#8217;s necessary to grasp all the regulations and guidelines of the government to be an authorized importer.&nbsp; <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Any individual or business planning to import food products in India from outside the boundaries must understand the FSSAI regulations and procedures. On the path to import food products in India, food business operators and entrepreneurs are acquiring relevant documents like <strong><em>Importer Exporter Code, FSSAI License, and other permits and licenses<\/em><\/strong>. Importers need to understand the requirement to become a registered importer of food. Before arriving into the Indian market, food products must follow all the steps for clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-left\"><b>Read our article<\/b>:<mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/penalties-under-fssai-act\/\">\nA Detailed Guide on Penalties under FSSAI Act\n<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In order to import food products in India, importers must get an FSSAI certificate. The growth of food products business in India has been phenomenal in a few decades. Since India has always been popular as the heaven for food lovers, people of India are satiating their gustation buds with exclusive sumptuous delicacies of other [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":11152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[150],"tags":[682],"acf":{"service_id":"318"},"authorName":"Margesh Rai","authorImageUrl":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Margesh.png","authorDescription":"With 10+ years of creative writing experience and 500+ blogs and thought leadership articles to his credit, Margesh Rai has left a significant impact in the field of content marketing. A published author and poet, Margesh Rai has experience writing for 20+ segments, such as Legal, Fintech, SAAS, Dairy, Real Estate, Hospitality, Recruitment, Sustainability, etc.","postViews":10616,"readingTime":5,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11145"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11145"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11238,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11145\/revisions\/11238"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}