Importer License- Requirements

Provided below is the procedure and timeline involved in obtaining the importer’s license under the relevant [Indian] laws, alongwith a checklist of information required:

1.      Under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992:

Pursuant to the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, there is a mandatory requirement to obtain the Importer-exporter Code Number (“IEC Code”) from the Director General or the officer so authorised.

The IEC Code application is to be made online and obtaining the PAN card of a company is a mandatory pre-requisite. Please find below the procedure in brief:

1.  Enter the PAN of the company and the Mobile Number and Email ID of the  authorised representative/ Signatory Applicant of the company to log on to the IEC Master screen;

2.      Two different 5 digits token number with the same serial number will be sent to the Mobile number as well as the Email Id of the authorised representative/ Signatory Applicant of the company. The token numbers will enable you to login to the IEC Master screen;

3.      Once logged in the IEC Master screen you will fill the requisite information for the Bank account/ branch, Directors, registered office address of the company,

4.      attach the mandatory documents;

5.      affix the authorised director’s/ Signatory Applicant Digital Signature Certificate (DSC);

6.      Make the payments and thereafter submit the application to DGFT, RA (Regional Authority of DGFT) online.

Information/ documents:

1.      Company:

a.       Copy of Company PAN Card;

b.      Copy of the Bank Certificate or cancelled cheque bearing the companies name;

c.       Registered office address of the company [with state/ district/ pin code details];

d.      Telephone number of the company;

e.       Bank account/ Branch details of the company:

                                                                          i.      Name/ address [with state/ district/ pin code details];

                                                                        ii.      phone number/ fax;

                                                                      iii.      IFSC Code;

                                                                      iv.      Aadhar Number;

2.      Authorised Representative/ Signatory Applicant [person who will make the application for IEC on behalf of the company]

a.       Valid phone number and email id of the authorised representative/ Signatory Applicant of the company;

b.      Copy of Digital Photograph (3x3cms) of the authorised representative/ Signatory Applicant;

3.      Director’s/ KMP

a.       Name;

b.      designation;

c.       address [with state/ district/ pin code details];  

d.      phone number/ fax/ email id;

e.       PAN Card [if any];

f.       Director Identification Number (DIN);

g.      Date of birth;

h.      Aadhar Number;

4.      Copy of the duly filled application with Authorised Representative/ Signatory Applicant signature for onward filing [later stage].

2.      Under the Food Safety And Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011

Pursuant to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, no person can commence any food business unless he possesses a valid license. A food business means any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution of food, import and includes food services, catering services, sale of food or food ingredients, therefore an importer will require a license under the aforesaid regulations in order to import food into India. Accordingly, please find below the procedure to obtain the license in brief:

1.      An application for the grant of a license shall be made as per the requisite Form to the concerned Licensing Authority;

2.      Payment of applicable fees as prescribed;

3.      On the receipt of a complete application Licensing Authority shall issue an Application ID number that will be referred to in all future correspondence between the Licensing Authority and the applicant;

4.      A license shall be issued by the concerned Licensing Authority within a period of 60 days from the date of issue of an Application ID, a true copy of which shall be displayed at a prominent place at all times within the premises where the Food Business Operator carries on the food business.

Information

1.      Self-attested declaration in the requisite format;

2.      Company

a.       Registered office address;

b.      Address of Premise for which license is being applied;

c.       correspondence address;

d.      telephone number/ mobile number;

e.       fax/ emailed;

3.      Person in charge of operations/ Person Responsible:

a.       Name;

b.      Designation;

c.       Qualification;

d.      Address;

e.       Telephone number/ mobile number;

f.       Email id;

g.      copy of Photo identity card.

4.      Food Items proposed to be manufactured alongwith quantity in Kg per day or M.T. per annum;

5.      Installed Capacity food product wise (per day);

6.      Sanctioned electricity load or HP to be used;

7.      Whether unit is equipped with an analytical laboratory;

Documents:

1.      Application form duly completed and signed (in duplicate) by the proprietor/ partner or the authorised signatory;

2.      Blueprint/layout plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions in metres/square metres and operation-wise area allocation;

3.      List of Directors with full address and contact details;

4.      Name and List of Equipments and Machinery along with the number, installed capacity and horse power used;

5.      Photo I.D and address proof issued by Government authority of Proprietor/Partner/Director (s)/Authorised Signatory;

6.      Authority letter with name and address of responsible person nominated by the manufacturer along with alternative responsible person indicating the powers vested with them viz assisting the officers in inspections, collection of samples, packing & dispatch;

7.      Analysis report (Chemical & Bacteriological) of water to be used as ingredient in food from a recognized/ public health laboratory to confirm the portability indicating the name of authorized representative of Lab who collected the sample and date of collecting sample

8.      Proof of possession of premises. (Sale deed/ Rent agreement/ Electricity bill, etc.);

9.      Partnership Deed/Affidavit/Memorandum & Articles of Association towards the constitution of the firm;

10.  Food Safety Management System plan or certificate if any;

11.  Recall plan wherever applicable, with details on whom the product is distributed;

12.  NOCs from Municipality or local body and from State Pollution Control Board except in case of notified industrial area.

13.  Other documents as applicable.  

Please note that an Importer has to ensure that the classification of goods is in accordance with HSN 2017 while filing the Customs declarations for the goods to be imported or exported from 01-01-2017.