Food License Registration for Fish Exporters

India exports a huge amount of fish to foreign markets. It is enriched with a wide range of fish resources. Thus, exporting fish to other countries has grown exponentially in recent years. The fish exporters get fish from the fish farms and fishers based on contracts and export them to other countries.

The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) ensures the safety and quality of food products, including exported fish. Any industry or business relating to food must get an FSSAI registration or license for their company. Companies require an FSSAI registration or license for manufacturing, preparing, importing and exporting food products.

Thus, fish exporters must mandatorily obtain an FSSAI license for exporting fish. They must have an FSSAI Central License in addition to the export permits to ship fish to other countries. The FSSAI regulates the quality and hygiene of fish while exporting offshore. The fish exporters must follow the FSSAI regulations while exporting fish, or they will have to pay the penalty.

FSSAI License for Fish Exporters

There are three types of FSSAI licenses. The kinds of FSSAI licenses are FSSAI Basic Registration, FSSAI State License and FSSAI Central License. However, the FSSAI prescribes the type of license that a food business operator should obtain. The FSSAI provides that the exporters should obtain FSSAI Central License. Thus, the fish exporters should apply for an FSSAI Central License irrespective of the turnover. 

Process to Obtain an FSSAI License by Fish Exporters

• Visit the FoSCoS website. 
• Scroll down and click on the ‘Apply/License Registration’ on the homepage.
• Select the state (the state where the exporting company is situated) from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the ‘Trade/Retail’ option and select the ‘Trade/Merchant-Exporter’ option from the list displayed below.
• Select the ‘Only Exports’ option and click on the ‘Proceed’ button.
• Click on the ‘Click here to apply for Central License for all Business’ button on the next page.
• Fill in the premises details on Form-B and click on the ‘Save & Next’ button.
• Fill in the product selection details on Form-B and click on the ‘Save & Next’ button.
• Fill in the communication details on Form-B and click on the ‘Save & Next’ button.
• Upload the required documents and click on the ‘Save & Next’ button.
• Select the payment options on the form, make the payment and submit the form.
• You will receive a 17-digit reference number. Note the reference number for future use. 
• The FSSAI authorities will review the form. They may inspect the food premises if required.
• The FSSAI authorities will issue the FSSAI registration certificate upon satisfaction that the exporter meets all the required criteria. The exporters can download the FSSAI registration certificate by logging into the FoSCoS portal.

The fish exporters can also apply for the FSSAI license offline by getting the Form-B from the Deputy Commissioner Office and submit the filled application with the required documents to the Commissioner of Food and Safety Department.

Documents Required for Obtaining an FSSAI License

The documents that the fish exporters must submit to obtain FSSAI central license are as follows:

• Identity proof such as PAN card, ration card, passport, Aadhaar card, driving license or voter ID card.
• List of directors with address and contact details.
• Food safety management system plan or certificate.
• Import/Export Code (IEC).
• Proof of possession of premises such as sale deed, electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.
• Partnership deed, self-declaration for proprietorship or Memorandum and Articles of association.
• Trade license, corporation license, panchayath license or municipality license. 
• Permit from the Animal Husbandry Ministry.
• Certificate of product approval.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) concerning the quality of food and regulating compliances presented by the FSSAI authority.

Benefits of FSSAI License for Fish Exporters

• It enables the export of fish without any legal hassles.
• Builds the image of the export company as an entrusted and quality brand. 
• Exporters can easily open additional branches of the fish exporting businesses without hassle. 
• Exporters can use the FSSAI license logo to indicate the standard quality of fish for customers.
• FSSAI license helps to get investments and makes the loan process easy. 

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