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Food Export Business is one of the most popular export businesses of all time. It involves exporting food from India to other countries. Some of the most popular food-export items include rice, seafood, sugar and chillies.
If you are planning to start a food export company in India, you must learn about the approvals required! In this blog post, we’ll explain what certificates are required to start a food export business in India.
Everyone needs food. It is a basic requirement, just like water. Therefore, exporting food from India to other countries is a great business opportunity. You can export specific food items to countries that have a shortage of such items or do not produce them at all.
Here’s an example. Basmati rice is one of the best quality rice varieties one can taste. India is the largest producer and exporter of Basmati rice in the world. Therefore, India often exports Basmati rice to other countries that do not grow this rice or have shortage of it.
There isn't a single "food export business license". Instead, a food export business in India needs various licenses and certificates.:-
Whether you want to conduct an import or export business, you need to secure the Import Export Code (IEC). This code is a 10-digit number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). You must secure IEC prior to conducting food-export business. To apply for this code, you must file an online application via the official DGFT portal.
Once you secure the importer exporter code, you do not need to renew it. It remains valid indefinitely. However, you do need to update the IEC details every year.
FSSAI certification is a mandatory requirement for all food businesses in India, regardless of their size and type. This certification is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It is necessary to obtain it to ensure compliance with the food safety standards set forth by the Government of India for exporting food products.
There are different types of FSSAI licenses. The specific license required for food-export business is FSSAI Central License. You must apply for securing this license via the FOSCOS portal.
APEDA Registration, often often referred to as the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), is specifically required for exporting scheduled agricultural and processed food products. It is granted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority in accordance with APEDA Act 1985.
Scheduled products requiring RCMC registration with APEDA include: (i) Fruits, Vegetables and their Products (ii) Meat and Meat Products (iii) Poultry and Poultry Products (iv) Dairy Products (v) Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products and (vi) Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products and (vii) Basmati Rice. For the complete list of scheduled products requiring APEDA license for export, you can visit the official website of APEDA.
Without registering with APEDA, no business can export scheduled agricultural and processed food products from India. To apply for APEDA certification, you must visit the official DGFT portal and file an application there for APEDA RCMC certificate.
According to MPEDA Act 1972, securing an MPEDA certificate is mandatory for exporters who want to export marine products from India, including seafood products. This certificate is issued by the Marine Products Export Development Authority.
Some products for which MPEDA certification is mandatory include: (i) Frozen Marine Products (ii) Canned Marine Products (iii) Freeze Dried Seafood Products (iv) Ornamental Fish. You can check out the complete list on the official MPEDA website.
By securing MPEDA’s authorization, exporters of marine products can ensure compliance with quality standards for seafood export.
For businesses to conduct spice export from India, securing Spice Board registration is a mandatory step. It involves securing the Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) from the Spices Board. CRES ensures compliance with quality standards and norms established for export of spices.
Additionally, it helps a business to gain access to government-backed export incentives. CRES must be secured prior to commencement of spice export business. Without this certificate, no business can carry out spice export activities.
To start an export business for food items, you require several licenses and certifications as mentioned in this blog post. You may require additional approvals from regulatory authorities depending on the exact food products you want to export from India. For assistance in setting up a food export company, connect with Registrationwala. We’ll help you fulfill all the legal and regulatory requirements to start your business successfully!
Q1. Do I need an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) to export food from India?
A. Yes, it is mandatory to secure an IEC from DGFT to export food from India.
Q2. Do I need to register with APEDA to export sugar from India?
A. Yes, you need to register with APEDA to export sugar from India.
Q3. Do I need to register with MPEDA to export frozen prawns from India?
A. Yes, you need to register with MPEDA to export frozen prawns from India.
Q4. Do I need to register with FSSAI to export food items from India to USA?
A. Yes, to export food items from India to the USA, it is mandatory to register with FSSAI.
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