IEC, FSSAI & Other Business Licences

What licences does a business need?

Incorporation and GST registration aren't the end of the paperwork. Depending on what a business does and where it operates, it may need licences from central, state, and local authorities — to import or export, sell food, run an establishment, operate a factory, sell packaged goods, or store and sell medicines.

Each licence has its own authority, application, fees, and renewal cycle. Missing one can mean fines, closure, or being unable to trade on marketplaces or with large customers.

The common licences

The licences businesses most often need:

Import Export Code (IEC)

A 10-digit code from the DGFT, needed for importing or exporting goods and many services. It must be updated annually.

FSSAI registration or licence

Needed by any food business — manufacturers, restaurants, home kitchens, traders, and online sellers.

Shops and Establishments

Registration under the state's law for shops, offices, and commercial establishments, covering working hours, holidays, and employee records.

Trade licence

Issued by the municipal corporation, allowing a particular trade at a particular location.

Factory licence

Needed for manufacturing units above specified employee thresholds, from the state's factories department.

Pollution control consents

Consent to establish and consent to operate from the State Pollution Control Board, for units with environmental impact.

Other sector licences

Drug licences for pharmacies and distributors, Legal Metrology registration for packaged goods, and BIS certification for notified products.

Why it matters

Licences affect whether you can trade at all:

Legal to operate

Operating without a required licence can lead to fines, sealing of premises, or prosecution.

Marketplaces require them

E-commerce platforms ask for FSSAI, drug licences, or other registrations before listing.

Customs needs IEC

Goods can't be imported or exported without an IEC, except in limited cases.

Banks and tenders

Banks and government tenders ask for licences as proof of business.

Renewals lapse quietly

Many licences need annual or periodic renewal, and lapsed ones cause problems at inspections.

Location-specific

Several licences are tied to premises, so moving means reapplying or amending.

Sector rules

Food, drugs, and packaged goods face regular inspections.

Who is this for?

FSSAI registration and the Import Export Code each have a dedicated page with more detail.

Common licences at a glance

Who needs what:

What we'll need from you

Entity documents

PAN, incorporation certificate, or partnership deed.

Premises proof

Ownership or rent documents, and layout plans for some licences.

Owner and director details

Identity proof of proprietors, partners, or directors.

Business details

Activities, products, capacity, and number of employees.

Sector documents

Food safety plans, qualified pharmacist details, or product information, depending on the licence.

Bank details

A bank account in the business's name, for IEC and others.

Government fees vary by licence and state. We quote our fee once we know which licences apply.

How we handle licences

Our approach:

1. 1

   Map the licences

   We identify every licence your activities and locations need.

2. 2

   Sequence them

   Licences are ordered, since some depend on others — like trade licences needing premises approvals.

3. 3

   Prepare applications

   Documents are collected and applications prepared for each authority.

4. 4

   File and follow up

   Applications are filed online and followed up through queries and inspections.

5. 5

   Receive licences

   Licences are issued and displayed where required.

6. 6

   Set up renewals

   A calendar tracks renewals and annual updates.

Keeping licences valid

After you're licensed:

Display

Display licences at the premises where required.

Renew on time

Renew before expiry — many can't be renewed once they lapse.

Update the IEC annually

Update IEC details every year between April and June, or it's deactivated.

Amend on changes

Amend licences when the address, products, or capacity change.

Keep records

Maintain the records each law requires, like employee registers.

Prepare for inspections

Keep licences and records ready for inspections.

Benefits and responsibilities