Is a Sanitary Import Permit mandatory for all food imports?

Yes — Section 11(2) of FSS Act 2006 read with Regulation 5 of FSS (Import) Regulations 2017 requires every importer of food articles to obtain clearance from FSSAI before Customs clearance. There is no monetary exemption (every consignment, regardless of value, requires clearance).

What is the difference between SIP and NOC?

SIP (Sanitary Import Permit) is the application filed on FICS portal before the consignment arrives — establishes the importer's intent. NOC (No Objection Certificate) is issued by FSSAI Authorised Officer after the consignment arrives and is sampled / tested — the document presented to Customs for clearance.

Does the importer need a separate FSSAI licence?

Yes — the importer must hold a **Central Licence (Form C)** under Category 09 (Importers) of Schedule 1 of FSS (Licensing) Regulations 2011. Annual fee ₹7,500 — renewable each year.

What happens if the lab test fails?

FSSAI Authorised Officer refuses clearance under Regulation 8(2) of FSS (Import) Regulations 2017 — issues Form 4 (Refusal of Clearance). The importer may appeal to CEO FSSAI within 30 days. The consignment is typically re-exported to the country of origin at the importer's cost (or destroyed with FSSAI's permission).

Can samples be imported without SIP?

Samples up to 5 kg per consignment can be imported for testing / R&D under Regulation 14 of FSS (Import) Regulations 2017 — separate simplified procedure. A formal SIP is not required, but FSSAI Authorised Officer's permission is required.

Are organic food imports treated differently?

Yes — organic food imports must comply with FSS (Organic Foods) Regulations 2017 + NPOP / NPK certification from the exporting country's accredited certifying body. The importer must also file Form C under FSSAI's organic food category.

Is there an appeal mechanism if FSSAI refuses clearance?

Yes — under Section 71 of FSS Act 2006, the importer may appeal to the Food Safety and Standards Appellate Tribunal (FSAT) within 60 days. Earlier appeal to CEO FSSAI under Regulation 9 within 30 days is a pre-condition.

Is the SIP the same as Product Approval (Form 01)?

No — SIP is consignment-specific clearance. Product Approval (Form 01) is product-specific pre-clearance required for non-standardised / novel foods. If a product is non-standardised, the importer must obtain Form 01 approval BEFORE filing the SIP.

Editor's pickStartup

Sanitary Import Permit

Sanitary Import Permit assistance for startups, SMEs and professionals. I-Pro Solutions covers licenses & registrations with end-to-end filing, document drafting.

Statutory basis: **Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006** (Act 34 of 2006) — Section 11(2) (no person to import any article of food without complying with the Act), Section 25 (responsibility of importer), Section 31 (licensing of food business — importers), Section 32 (registration of food business), Section 68 (penalty for non-compliance with Sections 31/32). **Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017** — Notification G.S.R. 7(E) dated 3 January 2017 — Regulation 5 (Clearance of imported food), Regulation 6 (Application for Sanitary Import Permit), Regulation 7 (Scrutiny of application), Regulation 8 (Grant of Sanitary Import Permit), Regulation 9 (Customs clearance). **Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011** — Regulation 2.1.2 (Central Licence for importers — mandatory). **Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011** — Schedule 1-4 (product-specific standards). **Customs Act, 1962** — Section 11 (power to prohibit import / export), Section 46 (import manifest, bill of entry), Section 47 (clearance of goods for home consumption). Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Customs Station Code mandatory..

Turnaround

7–14 Working Days

₹

Starts from

₹5,599

Money-back accuracy

Guaranteed

Total starting from

₹5,599

Professional + estimated government fee

Professional fee₹4,599 starts with

Government fee (est.)₹1,000

Turnaround7–14 Working Days

Money-back accuracy. CA/CS specialist. Tracked client portal.

CONFIRMEDverified 25 Aug 2026

Dedicated specialist

CA-led, named point of contact

Tracked client portal

Real-time status, end-to-end

Money-back accuracy

Refile-free if our error

Flat-fee pricing

No hidden charges, ever

About this service

Sanitary Import Permit is a key regulatory filing administered by **Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)** — under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Operational arm for imports: **Import Clearance System (FICS)** — online portal at https://ics.fssai.gov.in. Customs clearance: **Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)** — through Authorised Officers of FSSAI stationed at major Customs stations (Mumbai JNPT, Mumbai Air, Chennai Sea, Chennai Air, Kolkata Sea, Kolkata Air, Delhi Air, ICD Tuglakabad, ICD Dadri, Cochin, Mundra, Pipavav, etc.).. Filing is executed via - **Application for Sanitary Import Permit (SIP)** — filed on FICS portal (Form: SIP Application under Regulation 6 of FSS (Import) Regulations 2017). under **Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006** (Act 34 of 2006) — Section 11(2) (no person to import any article of food without complying with the Act), Section 25 (responsibility of importer), Section 31 (licensing of food business — importers), Section 32 (registration of food business), Section 68 (penalty for non-compliance with Sections 31/32). **Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017** — Notification G.S.R. 7(E) dated 3 January 2017 — Regulation 5 (Clearance of imported food), Regulation 6 (Application for Sanitary Import Permit), Regulation 7 (Scrutiny of application), Regulation 8 (Grant of Sanitary Import Permit), Regulation 9 (Customs clearance). **Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011** — Regulation 2.1.2 (Central Licence for importers — mandatory). **Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011** — Schedule 1-4 (product-specific standards). **Customs Act, 1962** — Section 11 (power to prohibit import / export), Section 46 (import manifest, bill of entry), Section 47 (clearance of goods for home consumption). Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Customs Station Code mandatory.. Our specialist-led team ensures full compliance with statutory documentation, eligibility verification, and expedited government approval.

Eligibility & thresholds

Minimum

Valid identity & address proof of applicant
Active PAN & registered business premises
Authorized representative authorization

Maximum

Compliant under applicable regulatory laws
No pending statutory disqualifications
Valid across authorized operational jurisdictions

Statutory floor

Pre-filing statutory documentation verification
Official statutory fee schedule as per authority
Mandatory periodic compliance filings post-approval

What's included

Everything in one transparent fee — no add-ons, no surprises.

Investor-Centric AOA Drafting

If you plan to raise institutional funding, standard Articles of Association (AOA) will not suffice. Venture capitalists demand specific clauses regarding right of first refusal (ROFR), tag-along/drag-along rights, and anti-dilution provisions. Our elite corporate lawyers draft sophisticated AOAs that anticipate future funding rounds, preventing costly and time-consuming structural overhauls when you secure term sheets.

Complex Multi-Founder Structuring

Co-founder disputes are the leading cause of early-stage startup failure. We don't just register your company; we advise on optimal equity splits, director roles, and authorized capital distribution. We provide templates for Co-Founder Agreements and vesting schedules, ensuring that the foundational relationship between partners is legally documented and aligned for long-term stability.

Rapid SPICe+ Processing Engine

Time is of the essence for startups. We utilize an advanced compliance engine that preemptively validates all data entered into the SPICe+ (INC-32) form. By cross-referencing PAN databases, checking DIN eligibility, and formatting registered office proofs perfectly, we eliminate typographical errors that typically cause frustrating ROC resubmission delays, ensuring first-pass approval.

Strategic Authorized Capital Advisory

Determining your initial Authorized Share Capital is a delicate balance. Set it too low, and you'll immediately face high fees to increase it during your first seed round. Set it too high, and you pay unnecessary upfront government stamp duty. We analyze your 12-to-18-month funding roadmap to recommend the exact optimal capital structure that minimizes immediate costs while accommodating your immediate growth.

ESOP Implementation Framework

Attracting top-tier talent in the startup ecosystem often requires offering Employee Stock Ownership Plans. A Private Limited Company is the only structure that efficiently supports this. As part of our premium advisory, we structure your initial cap table to accommodate a future ESOP pool seamlessly, ensuring you are ready to incentivize your founding team.

Comprehensive Post-Incorporation Toolkit

Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation is just the starting line. Within the first 30 to 180 days, you must open a bank account, appoint a statutory auditor (ADT-1), and file the Commencement of Business (INC-20A). We provide a complete post-incorporation execution service, handling these mandatory compliance milestones so you can focus entirely on product development and sales.

Government Fee Breakdown

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. All figures verified as of 25 August 2026.

Fee Component	Amount (₹)	Basis / Authority
Sanitary Import Permit Statutory Fee	₹1,000	Official government fee schedule (separate from professional fee)Statutory Authority
Total Government Fee	₹1,000	(for default assumptions stated below)

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. Verified 25 August 2026.

Required documents

Each list identifies exactly what to provide — and what you do not need to submit. Use the accordions to expand.

›**FSSAI Central Licence** — under Category 09 (Importers) — Form C. — **FSSAI Central Licence** — under Category 09 (Importers) — Form C.
›**IEC** (Import Export Code) from DGFT. — **IEC** (Import Export Code) from DGFT.
›**GST Registration Certificate**. — **GST Registration Certificate**.
›**Manufacturer's authorisation letter** — authorising the Indian importer (from the foreign manufact — **Manufacturer's authorisation letter** — authorising the Indian importer (from the foreign manufacturer).
›**Certificate of Origin** — issued by Chamber of Commerce in the exporting country (preferential CoO — **Certificate of Origin** — issued by Chamber of Commerce in the exporting country (preferential CoO if applicable).
›**Manufacturer's Certificate / Health Certificate** — issued by the competent authority of the expor — **Manufacturer's Certificate / Health Certificate** — issued by the competent authority of the exporting country (e.g., USDA for USA, EU FVO / DG SANTE for EU).
›**Packing list** + Commercial Invoice. — **Packing list** + Commercial Invoice.
›**Bill of Lading / Airway Bill**. — **Bill of Lading / Airway Bill**.
›**Bill of Entry** (filed on ICEGATE). — **Bill of Entry** (filed on ICEGATE).
›**Product label** — English translation; compliance with FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations — **Product label** — English translation; compliance with FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations
›**Test report** from an NABL-accredited lab in the country of origin (recommended; not mandatory for — **Test report** from an NABL-accredited lab in the country of origin (recommended; not mandatory for all products).
›**HACCP / ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 certificate** of the manufacturer (recommended). — **HACCP / ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 certificate** of the manufacturer (recommended).
›**Importer's Bank Account Details** (for FICS fee payment). — **Importer's Bank Account Details** (for FICS fee payment).
›**Authorised signatory's PAN and Aadhaar** (for FICS portal e-KYC). — **Authorised signatory's PAN and Aadhaar** (for FICS portal e-KYC).

How it works

Each step is labelled with who performs it — Customer, I-Pro, or the Regulator. Form names are linked to the official portal.

1
Customer⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 1: **Customer / I-Pro**
**Customer / I-Pro**: Verify that the importer holds a valid FSSAI Central Licence (Category 09 — Importers). If not — apply first under Form C.
2
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 2: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Apply for **Product Approval (Form 01)** if the product is non-standardised or contains a novel ingredient.
3
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 3: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Once the consignment is shipped, file the **Bill of Entry** on ICEGATE (https://icegate.gov.in) — FSSAI's Authorised Officer is automatically notified.
4
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 4: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Apply on **FICS portal** (https://ics.fssai.gov.in) — Sanitary Import Permit application — upload documents (Form A, B/L, Invoice, Packing list, Manufacturer's Certificate, Origin certificate).
5
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 5: **FSSAI AO**
**FSSAI AO**: Scrutiny of documents — verify product standards, label compliance, manufacturer's authorisation.
6
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 6: **AO**
**AO**: Sampling — typically, 1 sample per consignment drawn from the lot; sealed and sent to an FSSAI-notified laboratory (NABL-accredited + FSSAI-empanelled).
7
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 7: **Lab**
**Lab**: Testing against FSSAI standards — typically 3-7 working days.
8
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 8: **AO**
**AO**: Decision — if compliant, grant **No Objection Certificate (NOC)** for Customs clearance; if non-compliant, refuse and issue Notice (Form 4 — Refusal of Clearance).
9
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 9: **Customs**
**Customs**: On receipt of FSSAI NOC, Customs clears the consignment — Bill of Entry processed; IGST + Customs Duty paid.
10
Regulator⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 10: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Brief customer on Form FSS-06 (Annual Return — for importers of food products) — due by 31 May each year.

Post-registration compliance

What to file next. I-Pro handles these as part of the annual compliance package.

Filing	Form	Deadline
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) Penalty: ₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)	`One-time mandatory`	Within 180 days of incorporation after bank capital deposit
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1) Penalty: Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers	`5-year tenure`	Within 30 days of incorporation by Board of Directors
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 30 days of AGM (by 29 October annually)
Annual Return (Form MGT-7) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 60 days of AGM (by 29 November annually)
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC) Penalty: ₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation	`Annual`	Every designated partner / director holding active DIN by 30 September

Penalties for non-compliance

Statutory penalties under governing regulatory provisions. Avoid non-compliance delays.

Non-compliance	Provision	Penalty
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)	One-time mandatory	₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)	5-year tenure	Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Annual Return (Form MGT-7)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)	Annual	₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoidable filing errors that cause delays or rejection. Each can be resolved before submission.

1
Mismatched applicant legal name or identity details across KYC proofs
Why: Government verification APIs cross-check with UIDAI and MCA databases and automatically flag discrepancies in spelling or dates.
Fix: Our specialists pre-validate your documents against official government databases before portal filing.
2
Submitting outdated utility bills or non-notarized commercial leases
Why: Premises proofs older than 60 days or defective landlord NOCs trigger statutory scrutiny queries and multi-week processing delays.
Fix: We verify recent billing dates and provide pre-formatted, legally vetted landlord NOC and lease formats.
3
Selecting incorrect classification, turnover slab, or statutory activity code
Why: Applications filed under inappropriate classifications attract show-cause notices and potential rejection without statutory fee refund.
Fix: We conduct a statutory scope assessment to align your application with the exact regulatory requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about this service.

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