How to import food products in India?
- Registrationwala
- Aug 29, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2018
When it comes to the matter of food import, the Indian market is the one that is the most flourishing. This has led to India becoming a culinary centre when we are talking in international terms. Furthermore, this has further paved the way for further business-minded individuals who want to engage with the similar sort of import business. Therefore, the answer to how to import food products in India is an important one?
The answer to be able to do this is fairly simple; all you need to have access is the FSSAI license.
Need of FSSAI license to be able to import food in India
With more and more need emerging in regards to international food products, several businesses want to avail international products to the consumers. As interesting and profitable this business opportunity is; it does not happen without the aid of a particular form of license. This license is called FSSAI license.
If you want to conduct any kind of import and export business, then you must already be aware of the IE Code or the Import export Code. However, there are several misconceptions regarding this license like:
1. It avails the import and export of every product
2. This is the only license that you will need in order to import and export food products.
There is another license needed in this case; a license that certifies that the food that you are importing is of a good quality. This is what is provided by the FSSAI license.
Now, considering that the having an extra license might seems like a drag to you regardless of how important this is. However, the process of apply for the FSSAI license is a simple and once opted for, you are going to have a 5 year validity to use the license.
With this, you have now understood that there are two things needed in order for you to be able to import food in India.
1. The IE code
2. The FSSAI License
However, these are not the only documents that you will need to be able to import food in the country. In the next section, we are going to dwell into the other licenses that you will need to be able to do the deed (import food into the country that is)

Documents that are needed to import food into the country
1. Product approval certificate: this is an approval certificate that is given to a product to check id the product is even transportable.
2. Narcotics Certificate: When it comes to import and export business, you might deal with some objects of a narcotic or chemical nature. This certificate licenses to import and export those. Furthermore, with narcotics certificates, preserved foods can be transported as well.
3. IE Code: it is an import and export license issues for the government.
4. FSSAI License: the Food Safety and Standards authority in India is another license governed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
5. APEDA License: License that allows you to import and export agriculture and horticulture produce
6. AGMARK License: This license certifies that the agriculture produced articles are of good quality.
Now, you might think, these are just too many documents to speak of. However, there is no need for you to worry! The certification of thee licenses might involve some scrutiny, but with proper assistance from a registration company, you can avail these in minimum amount of time.
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