INTRODUCTION

Food businesses in India cannot operate legally without a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Whether you are running a small food stall, a mid-sized restaurant, or a large food manufacturing company, getting the right licence is not just a compliance requirement but also a trust-building factor for customers.

One of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask is – What is the FSSAI licence cost? How much are the FSSAI fees? What is the FSSAI validity period?

The cost and validity of an FSSAI licence depend on the type of business, turnover, and scale of operations. The three main categories of FSSAI registration are:

Basic Registration (for small businesses).
State Licence (for medium-scale businesses).
Central Licence (for large businesses or those involved in import/export).

In this blog, we’ll break down the government food licence fee structure, renewal costs, and validity period for each category.

TYPES OF FSSAI LICENCES

Before discussing costs, let’s understand the three levels of food safety licences in India:

Basic FSSAI Registration
For small food businesses with turnover up to ₹12 lakh per year.
State FSSAI Licence
For businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore annually.
Includes medium-sized manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, etc.
Central FSSAI Licence
For businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore or those operating in multiple states.
Mandatory for importers, exporters, large manufacturers, and e-commerce food operators.

FSSAI LICENCE COST – REGISTRATION, STATE & CENTRAL

The FSSAI licence cost is not the same for everyone. It depends on the licence category, type of activity, and the validity period chosen.

Basic Registration
Govt Fee: ₹100 per year.
Validity: 1–5 years (business owner can choose).
State Licence
Govt Fee: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per year (varies by activity).
Validity: 1–5 years.
Central Licence
Govt Fee: ₹7,500 per year.
Validity: 1–5 years.

Note: Apart from government food licence fee, professional charges may also apply if you take consultant assistance for filing.

HOW MUCH IS THE FEE FOR STATE FSSAI LICENCE?

If you are applying for a State FSSAI Licence, the cost depends on the type of food business activity:

Manufacturers: ₹5,000 per year.
Hotels (3-star and below): ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 per year.
Storage units: ₹2,000 per year.
Transporters: ₹2,000 per year.
Retailers/Distributors: ₹2,000 per year.

So, the state FSSAI licence cost typically ranges between ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 annually.

FSSAI VALIDITY PERIOD

Another important factor is the FSSAI validity period.

The licence/registration is valid for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years.
Business owners can choose the validity while applying.
Higher validity means fewer renewals but higher upfront cost.

Example:
If you choose 5 years validity for State Licence at ₹5,000/year → Total govt fee = ₹25,000.

RENEWAL COST OF FSSAI LICENCE IN INDIA

Just like initial registration, renewal also involves FSSAI fees:

Renewal fee = Same as the cost of initial application.
If renewed before expiry → Normal fees apply.
If delayed → Late penalty of ₹100 per day.
If expired → Business cannot operate legally and must apply for a new licence.

So, the renewal cost of FSSAI licence in India = Original govt fee + penalty (if late).

Additional FSSAI Charges You Should Know

Sometimes, apart from standard FSSAI charges, other costs may be involved:

Modification Fee: ₹1,000 (if you need to update licence details).
Duplicate Licence Fee: 10% of the applicable licence fee (if original is lost).
Professional Fees: Varies if you hire a consultant.

WHY KNOWING FSSAI FEES & VALIDITY MATTERS

Understanding the food safety licence cost is important because:

Helps plan business expenses.
Avoids last-minute delays in renewals.
Prevents penalties for expired licences.
Builds consumer trust (customers check FSSAI validity period).

HOW LAWFINITY INDIA SIMPLIFIES FSSAI LICENCE REGISTRATION

At Lawfinity India Private Limited, we make sure your FSSAI registration, renewal, and compliance is smooth and stress-free. Our services include:

Identifying whether you need Basic, State, or Central licence.
Calculating the exact FSSAI licence cost for your business.
Filing applications, renewals, and modifications on your behalf.
Ensuring timely reminders so you never miss the FSSAI validity period.
Affordable packages with no hidden charges.

With Lawfinity, you can focus on growing your food business while we take care of all compliance.

EXPERT ADVICE FROM LAWFINITY

From our experience, most food entrepreneurs make two mistakes:

Choosing only 1-year validity to save upfront cost but then facing renewal hassle every year.
Forgetting to renew on time, leading to penalties and business disruption.

Our advice: Always go for 3–5 years validity if you plan to run your business long-term. It saves both time and money.

MUSINGS FROM THE AUTHOR’S INK

The food industry is one of the most vibrant and fast-growing sectors in India. But with opportunity comes responsibility. A small negligence in compliance like missing your FSSAI renewal date can cause huge losses.

When I see entrepreneurs carefully planning their menus, interiors, and marketing campaigns but ignoring the FSSAI licence fees and validity period, I feel compliance education is just as important as culinary skills.

The FSSAI licence cost and FSSAI validity period depend on the type of licence you need – Basic Registration, State Licence, or Central Licence.

Basic Registration: ₹100/year, for turnover up to ₹12 lakh.
State Licence: ₹2,000–₹5,000/year, for turnover ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore.
Central Licence: ₹7,500/year, for turnover above ₹20 crore or imports/exports.
Validity: 1–5 years (renewable).
Renewal cost of FSSAI licence in India = Same as initial fees, with ₹100/day penalty if delayed.

At Lawfinity India, we simplify the entire process – from calculating exact FSSAI fees to ensuring timely renewals.

So, if you are planning to start or expand a food business, let Lawfinity be your compliance partner and keep your business safe, legal, and customer-friendly.