Import Licence explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Regulation 3 says no person may import any article of food without an import licence from the Central Licensing Authority, issued under the Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011, and ties the importer to a valid Import-Export Code. Regulation 4 lets the Licensing Authority suspend or cancel that licence and deals with what follows if the Import-Export Code is lost.
This article reads the text as amended up to 27 October 2025 (FSSAI Compendium Version VII dated 06.11.2025). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
No person shall import any article of food without an import licence from the Central Licensing Authority. The Food Importer must register with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and possess a valid Import-Export Code; if that code is suspended, revoked or cancelled, the import licence is deemed cancelled, and the importer must inform the Central Licensing Authority and the Authorised Officer not later than three working days from the date of the order. The Licensing Authority may cancel or suspend a licence for contravention, and may cancel after a hearing on the grounds in regulation 4(2). Importers and customs brokers are affected. Licensing support is available through FSSAI import licence help.
Regulation 3: the import licence
3(1) No person shall import any article of food without an import license from the Central Licensing Authority in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
3(2) Inserted by the notification of 7 February 2018 (footnote 1): for the purposes of sub-regulation (1), the Food Importer shall register himself with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and possess a valid Import-Export Code.
The licence itself is issued under the Licensing Regulations, which have their own posts on this site; see regulation 2.1.2 on the licence for a food business and the posts who needs an FSSAI import licence and how to apply for an FSSAI import licence. The Act's licensing section is dealt with in section 31 of the FSS Act.
Regulation 4: suspension or cancellation
| Sub-reg. | What it says |
|---|---|
| 4(1) | the Licensing Authority may cancel or suspend a food import licence granted under regulation 3 for contravention of these regulations or of the Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011 |
| 4(2) | notwithstanding regulation 3, the Licensing Authority, after giving the Food Importer an opportunity to be heard, may cancel the food import licence granted under any other regulations made under the Act, if the Designated Officer, Authorised Officer or any officer authorised by FSSAI have reasons to believe the grounds in (a) or (b) |
| 4(3) | the Food Importer shall inform the Central Licensing Authority and the Authorised Officer of any suspension, revocation or cancellation of the Import-Export Code certificate granted by the DGFT not later than three working days from the date of such order |
| 4(4) | when the Import-Export Code is suspended, revoked or cancelled, the import licence under the Licensing Regulations shall be deemed cancelled |
| 4(5) | the Licensing Authority may reconsider and issue the cancelled licence, with the previous licence number, within seven days of an application by the importer, if (a) the suspension, revocation or cancellation of the Code has been withdrawn or set aside, or (b) a fresh Code has been issued by the DGFT |
The grounds in regulation 4(2)
The Licensing Authority may cancel after a hearing if the officers have reasons to believe that:
- (a) there is sufficient ground to believe that the Food Importer has attempted to import unsafe articles of food, prohibited articles of food or articles of food from prohibited sources, directly or indirectly, including re-channeling or re-packing; or
- (b) the Food Importer fails to comply with the conditions of the licence, these regulations, or the undertaking of intended end use.
"Prohibited article of food" and "prohibited location or origin" are defined in regulation 2 and are dealt with in our article on the definitions. The Act's penalty section for contraventions in import is covered in section 67 of the FSS Act.
The two procedures compared by what the text says
| Route | Hearing | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 4(1) suspend or cancel a licence under regulation 3 | the text mentions none | contravention of these regulations or the Licensing Regulations |
| 4(2) cancel any food import licence | after an opportunity to be heard | reasons to believe grounds (a) or (b) |
| 4(4) deemed cancellation | none stated | suspension, revocation or cancellation of the Import-Export Code |
An invented example: Meridian Foods imports packaged snacks and its Import-Export Code is suspended by the DGFT. Under 4(3) it informs the Central Licensing Authority and the Authorised Officer within three working days from the date of the order. Under 4(4) its FSSAI import licence is deemed cancelled while the Code is suspended. If the DGFT later withdraws the suspension, Meridian can apply and, under 4(5), the Licensing Authority may reconsider and issue the licence with the previous licence number within seven days of the application.
How this fits the rest of the Regulations
Regulation 3 is the gateway: without a licence no consignment moves on to clearance. The next article covers clearance of imported food under regulation 5, where the importer or Custom House Agent files the Integrated Declaration Form. For a general overview see importing food into India under FSSAI requirements and FSSAI compliance for food importers. Licence suspension and revocation matters are also handled under FSSAI suspension and revocation help.
Need help with an import licence?
An import licence is a precondition for every consignment, and a lapse in the Import-Export Code can bring it down. Our FSSAI import licence service helps importers apply, keep the licence in step with the Code and respond to any notice.
Key takeaways
- No food import without a licence from the Central Licensing Authority.
- Registration with the DGFT and a valid Import-Export Code are required under regulation 3(2).
- Loss of the Import-Export Code means deemed cancellation; tell the Authority and the Authorised Officer within three working days.
- Cancellation under 4(2) follows an opportunity of being heard.
- The Licensing Authority may reconsider within seven days of an application if the Code is restored.
Read next
- Regulations 1 and 2: definitions
- Regulation 5: clearance of imported food
- Who needs an FSSAI import licence
- Section 67, FSS Act: penalty for contravention in import of food
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.