How to import food products in India
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the chief governing body which is responsible for all the matters related to India’s Export-Import policy ( EXIM). The first thing for businesses is to know that the Import of Food Products in India or the Export of Food Products from India is regulated by the chief governing body that is referred to as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India( FSSAI Registration). There is an extensive list of documents required to import food products in the country .

FSSAI will reject the shipment of food products which do not meet the standards set by them. Thus, the entrepreneurs who Import Food Products in India should be well aware of the various notifications and the procedures that are related to the import of food product.  . Import of food products in India can be a taxing procedure check out Issues with testing food imports in India.

There are however a number of licenses and registrations which business owner has to obtain before starting an import business.

The following is a list of the licenses and the registrations that are required for importing of the  food items in India:

1. Registering your company: It is thus beneficial to have a registered company under which you can start your business. It helps to improve the transferability of        the business and also limits the personal liability.

2. Approval of Product from FSSAI:  Authorities will not approve the import products which do not conform to the food standards set by the food safety &     security act.

3. FSSAI Clearance: File an application with Food Import Clearance System(FICS) of the FSSAI in order to obtain NOC(No Objection Certificate)

A business owner should upload the following documents to import food products for FSSAI clearance:

- The Import Export Code which is  issued by the DGFT

- The FSSAI Food License

- The Bill of Entry

- EDI system of Customs generates the examination order, therein requiring NOC from the FSSAI.