Indian imports a list of food items from the international market from different countries, but only registered importers are allowed to do so. In the process to import any food item to India, any businessperson is required to follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Clearance certificate from the customs department: For importing any food, item owner needs to write an authority letter on the name of a custom handling gent inscribed to the FSSAI officer before the food consignment reaches the destination in India. Whenever the shipment reaches the destination, the custom handling agent needs to apply to the clearance assignment with the department based on the bill of entry. Custom duty needs to be paid before landing the consignment in India.
- FSSAI clearance: after the customs clearance, the custom handling agent needs to apply for Non-Objection Certificate from the food import clearance system of FSSAI India.
- Sampling and inspecting the food item: the FSSAI officer gives an appointment for visual inspection; after the review, he will draft two samples from the lot for testing purposes. Sample of food items needs to be tested in the laboratory following the FSS Act.
- Approval of food item: lab test reports must validate that the food items follow the FSS Act and rules; the FSSAI may issue a NOC. This is the big milestone for any importing food item consignment.
Essential documents for FSSAI licensing registration of importer are:
- Certificate from narcotics department of India
- Food item approval certification
- IEC certificate
- FSSAI certificate for export/import
The compulsion of IE code for FSSAI license for the import food item
It is essential to obtain IEC to import food items in India before applying for an FSSAI license for import and export any food item. You may apply for IEC registration online or by any agency and fill the required formalities. The code is issued under the DGFT authorities and remains constant for future import-export activities. The code is required to make any challan, clear customs, obtain an FSSAI license, obtain NOC against food items, and other documentation. Therefore it is necessary to have IEC for initializing any import-export business.
Labeling requirement over the food item
To import any food item to India, the label over the food packet must be specific, have certain details, and be sold in the market with the same label. Specifications of the labels are as under:
- The labeling language is as per the FSSAI packaging & labeling regulations, 2011.
- The volume of the content and its net weight
- Declaration of “best before” date
- Information about nutrition in the packed item
- The name of the company, brand, product, etc
- List of ingredients used in the product, product description and usage instruction
- Batch number, lot number, code number
- Name and address of the importer company in India.
All of these requirements are to be met by the company importing any food item to the Indian market to obtain importing license by FSSAI.