FSSAI Import Clearance (FICS): How Food Importers Clear Customs in 2026

Every food product imported into India must be cleared by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) before customs releases it. The online system FSSAI uses is the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), linked to customs through ICEGATE and the SWIFT single window.

This guide explains what you need before importing, how the clearance process works, how sampling and testing happen and how to avoid rejections and delays at port.

Before You Import: Licence and Registrations

• Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT
• Central FSSAI licence with import as the kind of business. See our FSSAI licence for importers service.
• Product compliance with FSSAI standards, or product approval for non-standardised foods where needed
• Labels that meet Indian labelling rules

How Food Import Clearance Works

1. Bill of entry filed on ICEGATE through the customs single window. FSSAI receives the import details automatically.
2. Risk assessment: FSSAI's risk management system decides whether the consignment is cleared on documents, visually inspected or sampled.
3. Document scrutiny by the FSSAI Authorised Officer: licence, invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and health certificate where needed.
4. Visual inspection of the goods and labels.
5. Sampling, if selected: two samples are drawn. One is sent to an NABL-accredited, FSSAI-notified lab, the other is kept for reference.
6. Result: a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if the food conforms, or a Non-Conformance Report (NCR) if it does not.
7. Customs clearance after NOC.

Labelling Requirements for Imported Food

• Name of the food and list of ingredients
• Nutritional information
• Veg or non-veg mark
• Name and address of the importer in India
• FSSAI logo and licence number of the importer
• Net quantity, batch number, date of manufacture or packing, and best before or use by date
• Country of origin

Some details, such as importer name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number and the veg or non-veg mark, can be added with a non-detachable sticker before clearance. Other errors may lead to rejection.

Shelf Life Rule

At the time of import, food must have at least 60% of its original shelf life or three months left, whichever is less. Plan shipping times so products do not arrive too close to expiry.

If a Sample Fails

• FSSAI issues an NCR, and the goods cannot be sold in India.
• The importer can seek a review within the time allowed under the import regulations, which may lead to re-testing of the reference sample.
• Otherwise the goods must be re-exported or destroyed under supervision.

How Long Does Clearance Take?

Consignments cleared on documents move fastest. Those selected for sampling take longer because of lab testing, often several days or more depending on the tests. Complete documents and correct labels are the best way to avoid delays and demurrage.

Common Mistakes

• Importing with a State FSSAI licence. A Central licence is needed for import.
• Labels without importer details or FSSAI logo.
• Short shelf life on arrival.
• Non-standardised products imported without checking approval needs.
• Health certificates missing for products that need them, such as meat, dairy and some seafood.

How Instacertify Helps

We get your Central FSSAI import licence, review labels before shipping, check product standards and support clearance at port. See our FSSAI for import service and our guide to FSSAI label approval.