Comparison
Licenses by Business Type
Licenses aren't a pick-one decision like business structure — most businesses need several at once. Here's what typically applies by the kind of business you're running.
| Proprietorship | LLP | Private Limited | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop & Establishment Act | Required (any physical premises) | Required (any physical premises) | Required (any physical premises) |
| Trade License | Required, food-specific category | Required, retail category | Required, manufacturing category |
| FSSAI License | Required — tier depends on scale | Only if selling any food/beverage items | Only if food manufacturing |
| Legal Metrology | Required if selling pre-packaged food | Required if selling any pre-packaged goods | Required if packaging own product |
| Professional Tax | Required once you have employees (state-dependent) | Required once you have employees (state-dependent) | Required once you have employees (state-dependent) |
| ISO Certification | Rarely needed, unless supplying institutions | Only if pursuing large B2B/retail contracts | Common for tenders and export markets |
Running a food business
Expect Shop & Establishment Act, a food-category Trade License, FSSAI, and Legal Metrology if anything is pre-packaged — four licenses is normal, not excessive.
Running a retail shop
Shop & Establishment Act and Trade License are near-universal; Legal Metrology applies the moment you sell anything pre-packaged with a declared quantity.
Running a manufacturing unit
Add Legal Metrology if you package your own product, and treat ISO Certification as a real consideration once tenders or export customers enter the picture.