Food Import and Export in India: FSSAI, APEDA, and Customs Compliance Guide 2026

India's Food Trade Landscape

India is both a major food exporter and a growing food importer. Agricultural and food exports exceed $50 billion annually — India is among the world's top exporters of rice, spices, seafood, and fruits. Food imports, particularly edible oils, pulses, and specialty foods, are also significant. Both importing and exporting food require specific licenses and clearances beyond a standard FSSAI license.

Importing Food Products into India

Regulatory Framework for Food Imports

Food imports in India are regulated by:

• FSSAI: Food safety compliance — all imported food must meet FSSAI standards
• Customs Act: Tariff and customs duty
• DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade): Import licensing for restricted items
• Plant Quarantine Order (PQO): For plant-based food — phytosanitary certificates from exporting country required
• FSSAI Import Clearance System (ICE Gate): All food consignments must get FSSAI clearance before customs release

Documents Required for Food Import

Document	Purpose
FSSAI Central License (with import activity)	Mandatory for importer
Import Export Code (IEC)	Issued by DGFT — mandatory for all importers
Bill of Lading / Airway Bill	Shipping document
Invoice from foreign supplier	For customs valuation
Certificate of Analysis (COA) / Health Certificate	From exporting country's authority
Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant products)	From exporting country's plant quarantine authority
Packing list	For verification against declared goods
Label compliant with FSSAI standards	Indian-language label (Hindi + English) must be affixed

FSSAI Import Clearance Process

1. File a Bill of Entry with Customs through the ICE Gate portal
2. FSSAI is automatically notified through ICE Gate integration
3. FSSAI officer reviews the shipment documents and may order:
   • Document check only (for low-risk products)
   • Physical inspection and sampling (for high-risk products)
   • Laboratory testing (for specific contaminant concerns)
4. If cleared, FSSAI issues "No Objection Certificate" and customs releases the goods
5. If failed, the importer can appeal or the goods are destroyed/re-exported

Time: 3–14 days for food imports (document check); 14–45 days if lab testing is required

Exporting Food Products from India

Regulatory Framework for Food Exports

• FSSAI Central License: Exporters must have a Central License with "exporter" activity
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority): Mandatory registration for many food export categories
• MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority): For seafood exporters
• DGFT: For export licenses (some food categories require export license)
• EIC (Export Inspection Council): Issues Certificates of Inspection for specific markets

APEDA Registration — Who Needs It?

APEDA registration is mandatory for exporters of:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh and processed)
• Meat and meat products
• Poultry and poultry products
• Dairy products
• Confectionery, biscuits, bakery products
• Honey, jaggery, and sugar products
• Cocoa and its products
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Floricultural products
• Groundnut and groundnut products

APEDA registration is done online at apeda.gov.in and takes 7–15 working days. Fee: ₹5,000 (one-time, valid for 5 years).

Key Export Documents

Document	Issued by
FSSAI Export Certificate	FSSAI (on request)
Phytosanitary Certificate	Plant Quarantine Authority
Certificate of Inspection	Export Inspection Council (EIC)
Certificate of Origin	APEDA or Export Promotion Councils
Health Certificate (for animal products)	MPEDA or Animal Quarantine
Organic Certificate (if organic)	NPOP-accredited Certification Body

Common Challenges in Food Import/Export

• Labelling non-compliance: Imported products that don't meet FSSAI labelling standards are detained at the port
• Pesticide residue rejections: India and importing countries have different maximum residue limits (MRLs) — exporters must test against destination country standards
• Shelf life requirements: Many importing countries require minimum remaining shelf life (e.g., 70% of total shelf life)
• Novel food restrictions: Some ingredients common in one country may be restricted in another (e.g., certain additives)

Conclusion

Food import and export in India involves multiple regulatory bodies and documentation requirements. Getting the right licenses (FSSAI Central, IEC, APEDA) in place before your first shipment is critical to avoiding delays and detention of goods at ports. Velco Legal India provides end-to-end assistance for food import-export compliance, including FSSAI Central License, APEDA registration, and label compliance review.