How much does an FSSAI license cost in India?

FSSAI license fees depend on the type of license. Basic Registration costs Rs 100 per year. State License costs Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per year depending on business type. Central License costs Rs 7,500 per year. You can apply for 1 to 5 years at a time.

What is the difference between FSSAI registration and license?

FSSAI Registration (Basic) is for small food businesses with annual turnover up to Rs 12 lakh. It costs Rs 100 per year and is processed at the district level. FSSAI License (State or Central) is for larger businesses. State License covers turnover between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore, while Central License is for businesses above Rs 20 crore, importers, and large manufacturers.

Do I need an FSSAI license for a home-based food business?

Yes, all food businesses in India need FSSAI registration or license, including home-based operations. If your annual turnover is below Rs 12 lakh, you need Basic Registration which costs just Rs 100 per year. This applies to home bakers, tiffin services, and small-scale food sellers.

How long does it take to get an FSSAI license?

Basic Registration takes 7 to 15 working days. State License takes 30 to 60 working days. Central License takes 30 to 60 working days. Processing times vary by state and completeness of documentation. Apply through the FoSCoS portal for faster processing.

What is the penalty for not having an FSSAI license?

Operating a food business without FSSAI registration can attract a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Additionally, Swiggy and Zomato will not list restaurants without a valid FSSAI license number. Repeated violations can lead to imprisonment of up to 6 months.

Can I operate a restaurant without FSSAI registration?

No. Every restaurant, cloud kitchen, catering service, and food outlet in India must have a valid FSSAI registration or license before starting operations. Delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato require a 14-digit FSSAI license number for listing. Operating without it is a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

How to renew an FSSAI license online?

Log in to the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in), go to the renewal section, update any changed details, upload required documents, pay the renewal fee online, and submit. You should apply for renewal at least 30 days before expiry to avoid late fees. The renewal fee is the same as the original license fee.

What is the FSSAI late renewal penalty?

FSSAI charges a late renewal penalty of Rs 100 per day from the date of expiry until the renewal application is submitted. For example, if your license expires on January 1 and you apply on February 1, you pay Rs 3,100 as late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee. Always renew at least 30 days before expiry.

Do cloud kitchens need an FSSAI license?

Yes, cloud kitchens must have an FSSAI license. Most cloud kitchens with turnover between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore need a State FSSAI License costing Rs 2,000 per year. Cloud kitchens with turnover above Rs 20 crore need a Central License at Rs 7,500 per year. This is mandatory for listing on delivery platforms.

What is the validity period of an FSSAI license?

FSSAI licenses can be obtained for 1 to 5 years. The fee is calculated on a per-year basis and multiplied by the number of years chosen. Opting for a longer validity period (3 to 5 years) saves repeated renewal effort and reduces the risk of late penalties.

FSSAI License Fee Calculator India | Free Registration Cost Estimator

FSSAI License Fee Structure in India (2026 Updated)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) mandates that every food business in the country must obtain a registration or license before starting operations. The fee depends on the license category, which is determined by the annual turnover and nature of the business.

License Category	Turnover Slab	Annual Fee
Basic Registration	Up to ₹12 lakh	₹100/year
State License (Restaurant/Catering)	₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore	₹2,000/year
State License (Manufacturer)	₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore	₹2,000 to ₹5,000/year
State License (Storage/Transporter)	₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore	₹2,000/year
Central License	Above ₹20 crore	₹7,500/year

All fees are payable online through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal. You can apply for a license validity of 1 to 5 years, and the total fee is the annual fee multiplied by the number of years. Tracking your food cost management alongside your compliance costs gives you a complete picture of your operating expenses.

Types of FSSAI Licenses: Basic, State, and Central

FSSAI categorizes food businesses into three tiers based on their scale of operations. Understanding which category your business falls into is essential before applying.

Basic Registration: For petty food manufacturers, street vendors, home-based food businesses, and small retailers with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakh. The registration is processed at the district level and costs just ₹100 per year
State License: For medium-sized businesses including restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens, mid-size manufacturers, storage facilities, and transporters with annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore. Issued by the State Food Safety Authority
Central License: For large businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore, importers, operators in central government agencies, and businesses operating across multiple states. Issued directly by FSSAI headquarters

Important: Importers always need a Central License regardless of their turnover. E-commerce food businesses also typically need a State or Central License based on their revenue. If you are planning a new food venture, make sure to also budget for GST registration and other compliance costs.

How to Apply for an FSSAI License Online

FSSAI has digitized the entire licensing process through the FoSCoS portal. Here is the step-by-step process to apply for your FSSAI license online:

Step 1: Visit the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) and create an account using your mobile number and email address
Step 2: Select the license type (Basic Registration, State License, or Central License) based on your business turnover and type
Step 3: Fill the application form with business details including name, address, type of business activity, list of food products, and food safety management plan
Step 4: Upload required documents such as identity proof, address proof, food safety plan, and business registration certificate
Step 5: Pay the fee online using net banking, debit card, or credit card. The fee depends on license type and validity period (1 to 5 years)
Step 6: Track your application through the FoSCoS dashboard. Once approved, download your 14-digit FSSAI license number and certificate

For restaurants and cloud kitchens, understanding restaurant startup costs including FSSAI fees helps you plan your initial investment accurately.

Documents Required for FSSAI Registration

The documents required vary by license type. Here is the complete list for each category:

Document	Basic	State	Central
Identity Proof (Aadhaar/PAN)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Passport Size Photo	Yes	Yes	Yes
Address Proof of Business	Yes	Yes	Yes
Business Registration/Partnership Deed	No	Yes	Yes
Food Safety Management Plan	No	Yes	Yes
List of Food Products	No	Yes	Yes
NOC from Municipality/Health Dept	No	Yes	Yes
IEC (Import Export Code)	No	No	Yes (Importers)
Ministry of Commerce Certificate	No	No	Yes (Importers)

Pro Tip: Keep all documents scanned and ready in PDF format before starting your application. Incomplete documentation is the number one reason for application delays. For Basic Registration, you need as few as 3 documents, while Central License may require 8 to 10 documents depending on your business type.

FSSAI License Renewal: Fees, Process, and Penalties

FSSAI licenses must be renewed before they expire. The renewal fee is identical to the original license fee. You should initiate the renewal process at least 30 days before the expiry date to avoid penalties.

Late Fee = ₹100 per day from expiry date until renewal application

For example, if your State License (₹2,000/year) expires on January 1 and you apply for renewal on February 15, you will pay ₹2,000 (renewal fee) plus ₹4,500 (45 days x ₹100/day) totaling ₹6,500. This is why timely renewal is critical.

Renewal Window: Apply at least 30 days before expiry through FoSCoS portal. The system sends reminders via email and SMS
Expired License: Operating with an expired FSSAI license is a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It can attract penalties and delisting from delivery platforms
Longer Validity: Opting for 3 to 5 year validity during initial registration or renewal eliminates the risk of missing annual renewals and accumulating late fees

FSSAI License Fee Calculator