Mandatory for food businesses with turnover above₹20 crores, all importers and exporters, multi-state operators, and suppliers to Central Government institutions — regardless of turnover. Filed directly with FSSAI headquarters, New Delhi.
Govt fee · CA/CS · FSMS plan · Inspection prep · 12-month support
Unlike Basic and State licenses, the Central License is triggered bybusiness type and operations— not just turnover. Any of the following criteria alone mandates a Central License.
Production units with annual turnover above ₹20 crores — packaged foods, beverages, confectionery, condiments
Turnover > ₹20CrAny business importing food products into India — regardless of turnover. Required before your first shipment
Any turnoverAny business exporting food products from India — mandatory regardless of order size or turnover
Any turnoverFBOs with manufacturing, storage, or distribution units spread across more than one state
Multi-stateSuppliers to railways, defence canteens, civil aviation catering, Central Government institutions
Govt mandateGrain silos, large cold storage facilities, and temperature-controlled warehouses above ₹20Cr turnover
Turnover > ₹20CrRegistered head office of a food business operating branches in more than one state
Multi-stateNABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified private food testing laboratories operating at a national level
National operationsMeetingany oneof these five criteria requires a Central License — even if your turnover is below ₹20 crores.
Central License requires the most comprehensive documentation of all FSSAI license types. ClearlyComply prepares and organises every document — you share raw copies and we do the rest.
A Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan is mandatory for Central License — and is the most complex document in the application. ClearlyComply prepares a fully compliant FSMS plan for your specific business type.
ClearlyComply assigns a dedicated CA or CS to your application — end-to-end management from first call to certificate delivery.
Unlike Basic or State licenses, your Central License application is managed by a dedicated Chartered Accountant or Company Secretary. We confirm your license type, turnover bracket, and whether IEC is also required.
⏱ Day 0 — same dayYour CA performs a full document gap analysis against FSSAI Central License requirements. Missing documents (water testing reports, NOCs, equipment lists) are identified early. We also review your current labelling compliance.
⏱ Day 1–5ClearlyComply prepares your HACCP-based Food Safety Management System plan — the most critical and complex document required for Central License. Covers all eight mandatory components listed by FSSAI.
⏱ Day 3–7We file Form B on the FoSCoS portal, addressed to the Central Licensing Authority at FSSAI headquarters, New Delhi. You receive an application acknowledgement with a reference number immediately after submission.
⏱ Day 7–10A Designated Officer from FSSAI schedules a mandatory physical inspection of your manufacturing premises. ClearlyComply provides a detailed pre-inspection checklist covering every item the officer will assess — and briefs your team on what to prepare.
⏱ Day 15–60 (inspection-dependent)Your FSSAI Central License is issued digitally from FSSAI headquarters with a 14-digit license number (starting with "1" for Central). We deliver it by email, WhatsApp, and optionally as a hard copy.
🎉 Day 60–90Your assigned CA monitors your compliance obligations for 12 months — labelling compliance reviews, renewal reminders, upgrade alerts if turnover crosses new thresholds, and priority support for any FSSAI notices or show-cause letters.
📆 12 months includedAll-inclusive. Dedicated CA/CS, FSMS plan preparation, inspection support, and 12 months post-license compliance — all in one flat fee.
All-inclusive · Government fee · Dedicated CA/CS · FSMS plan · 12-month support
| Feature | Basic Reg. | State License | Central License ★ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover Trigger | Below ₹12L | ₹12L – ₹20Cr | Above ₹20Cr+ |
| Additional Triggers | — | — | Importers, exporters, multi-state, Govt suppliers |
| Filing Authority | State Authority | State Authority | FSSAI HQ, New Delhi |
| ClearlyComply Price | ₹499 | ₹1,499 | ₹2,999 |
| Processing Time | 7–10 days | 30–60 days | 60–90 days |
| Physical Inspection | Not required | May be required | Mandatory |
| FSMS Plan Required | No | No | Yes — prepared by ClearlyComply |
| Dedicated CA/CS | No | No | Yes — assigned from Day 1 |
| Post-License Support | Renewal reminders | Renewal reminders | 12 months full compliance support |
Key questions about FSSAI Central License — eligibility, compliance, and the filing process.
840+ large food businesses, importers, and exporters licensed. Dedicated CA from Day 1 — FSMS plan, inspection prep, 12-month compliance support included.
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We handle FSSAI registrations and renewals for food businesses in every major city. Select your city for location-specific guidance and local FSSAI office details.
Don't see your city?Contact us— we serve all cities and towns across India through the unified FoSCoS portal.