Licenses & Certifications
FSSAI License: Which Tier Do You Actually Need?
Last Reviewed: 28 July 2026
Reviewed by: IndiaBusiness.ai Editorial
Quick Answer
Every food business needs some form of FSSAI license — Basic, State, or Central, based on turnover and scale. Using the wrong tier is one of the most common causes of marketplace listing rejections for food brands.
Which FSSAI tier applies
| Tier | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Small food businesses under ₹12 lakh turnover |
| State License | Mid-sized manufacturers / traders within one state |
| Central License | Large operations, importers/exporters, multi-state |
Quick decision guide
| FSSAI Tier | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Small food businesses below the turnover threshold |
| State License | Mid-sized manufacturers/sellers within one state |
| Central License | Large manufacturers, importers/exporters, or multi-state operations |
Documents you'll typically need
- Business registration/incorporation proof
- Address proof of the food business premises
- Photo ID of proprietor/partners/directors
- List of food products to be manufactured/sold
- Water testing report (for manufacturing units, where applicable)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Marketplace listing rejection for missing FSSAI details or non-compliant labels
- Penalty for selling pre-packaged food without correct MRP/net-quantity declaration
- Operating above the Basic Registration turnover threshold without upgrading to a full License
FSSAI licensing has three tiers, and they're not interchangeable: Basic Registration for very small operations (turnover under ₹12 lakh), State License for mid-size manufacturers and traders, and Central License for larger operations, importers, or businesses operating across multiple states.
The tier isn't a one-time choice — as turnover grows, you're expected to upgrade from Basic to State, and eventually to Central if you expand that far. Marketplaces and serious retailers check the tier against your declared scale, not just whether you have a license at all.
This guide complements our full FSSAI License service, which covers tier identification and the complete application process — this page is about understanding which tier applies to you before you start, so the application goes in correctly the first time.