How to Apply for BIS and FSSAI Certificates in India: A Comprehensive B2B Guide
To apply for a BIS certificate in India, you must register your product on the Manakonline portal, submit samples for testing at a BIS-recognized laboratory, and successfully pass a factory inspection. Conversely, to secure an FSSAI certificate for food products, you must file an application via the FoSCoS portal based on your annual turnover (Basic, State, or Central license) and submit a comprehensive food safety management plan. Navigating these separate statutory frameworks is essential for successfully importing and distributing goods within the Indian market.
Key Takeaways:
- End-to-End Compliance Hub: We demystify Indian customs and regulatory hurdles, ensuring your products meet all BIS and FSSAI mandates before they even leave the port.
- China-to-India Route Mastery: As specialists in the China-to-India trade lane, we handle the complex logistics of shipping testing samples and bulk regulatory-approved cargo seamlessly.
- One-Stop Logistics Partner: From initial factory audits in China or Thailand to final mile delivery in India, SCIC Group integrates freight forwarding with strict compliance management.
- Speed to Market: Prevent costly customs holds. Our experts pre-validate your BIS and FSSAI paperwork, accelerating your time-to-revenue in the Indian market.
The Ultimate Challenge: Navigating India’s Regulatory Landscape
Expanding your business into India offers immense lucrative opportunities, but it is heavily gated by stringent regulatory frameworks. For international B2B enterprises and SMEs, understanding how to apply for BIS and FSSAI certificates in India is not just a legal formality; it is the critical foundation of your supply chain.
A common pain point for international exporters—particularly on the China-to-India and Thailand-to-India routes—is having cargo stalled indefinitely at Indian customs due to incorrect compliance documentation. Product rejections, expensive warehouse holding fees, and language barriers often cripple profit margins.
At SCIC Group, our experts view compliance and logistics as a single, unified ecosystem. We don’t just ship your cargo; we provide consultative solutions that bulletproof your import strategy against regulatory bottlenecks.
How to Apply for BIS Certification (ISI Mark / CRS)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ensures product quality, safety, and reliability. Depending on your commodity, you will either need the ISI Mark (for manufacturing and industrial goods) or Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) compliance (for electronics and IT goods).
Here is the step-by-step roadmap to securing your BIS certification:
1. Identify Product & Standard Requirements
Before shipping, you must determine if your product falls under the mandatory BIS certification list. You must identify the exact Indian Standard (IS) code applicable to your goods via the official BIS website. Misclassifying your product here will result in immediate application rejection.
2. Registration & Application Submission
The next step involves registering on the BIS Manakonline portal. For domestic or foreign manufacturers, you must submit the application (typically Form-V) detailing your manufacturing capabilities, raw materials, and quality control infrastructure.
3. Product Testing Protocols
You cannot test your products locally in China or Thailand; samples must be sent to India and tested in a BIS-recognized laboratory. SCIC Group frequently assists clients by securely air-freighting test samples from China to Indian laboratories, ensuring they arrive undamaged and on time for expedited testing.
4. Factory Inspection Phase
For ISI certification, the process requires an on-site audit. A designated BIS officer will travel to your manufacturing facility (whether in China, Thailand, or elsewhere) to inspect the factory premises, evaluate the manufacturing process, and verify your quality assurance protocols.
5. Grant of License
Upon successful laboratory testing and factory verification, the BIS license is officially granted. For electronic goods, this results in your CRS registration, allowing you to legally import and distribute your products across India.
How to Apply for FSSAI Certificate (Food License)
If you are importing or handling food products, ingredients, or dietary supplements, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is your governing body.
1. Determine Your Eligibility Tier
FSSAI licenses are tiered strictly based on your business’s annual turnover and operational scale:
- Basic Registration: For petty food businesses with an annual turnover of less than ₹12 lakh.
- State License: For medium-sized enterprises with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore.
- Central License: Mandatory for large corporations, importers, and export-oriented units with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crore. Note: Most international traders and importers utilizing SCIC Group’s services will require a Central License.
2. File the Application via FoSCoS
Applications must be submitted through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal. You will need to submit Form A (for Basic Registration) or Form B (for State/Central Licenses).
3. Submit Required Documentation
FSSAI is incredibly strict regarding paperwork. You must upload:
- Identity proof of the proprietors/directors.
- Partnership deeds or Certificates of Incorporation.
- A comprehensive list of food categories you intend to handle.
- A robust Food Safety Management Plan (FSMS).
- Detailed lists of equipment and machinery used.
- 4. Verification & Certificate Issuance
Indian health and safety authorities will rigorously verify your application and documents. This may include physical inspections of your premises or warehouses. Once cleared, the FSSAI certificate is issued, complete with a 14-digit registration number that must be printed on all your packaging.
Crucial Note from SCIC Experts: For certain food-related items, regulatory overlap exists. For example, if you are importing packaged drinking water, you must successfully navigate both FSSAI licensing and specific BIS standards simultaneously.
Documentation & Cost Overview
| Certification | Key Documents Required | Estimated Costs | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIS (ISI/CRS) | Manufacturing flow chart, machinery list, lab test reports, factory inspection logs, company incorporation details. | ₹28,000 – ₹1.5 Lakh (Depends heavily on product category and lab fees). | 30 to 90 Days (Subject to lab availability). |
| FSSAI | Identity proofs, incorporation certificates, list of food categories, water testing reports, FSMS plan. | Varies by tier. Basic is minimal; State/Central licenses incur higher statutory fees. | 15 to 60 Days (Varies by license tier and inspection). |
(Note: Costs do not include logistics, sample shipping, or factory auditor travel expenses).
Logistics Power-Ups for International Traders
To successfully manage a supply chain alongside these certifications, SCIC Group recommends mastering the following logistics concepts:
Volumetric Weight Class: Shipping Your Test Samples
When shipping product samples from China to India for BIS laboratory testing, understanding how air freight is billed is vital. Airlines charge based on whichever is greater: Actual Weight or Volumetric (Dimensional) Weight.
- The Formula: Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 6000.
- The SCIC Solution: If you are shipping lightweight but bulky electronic samples (like server racks for CRS testing), you will be billed on volume. Our team optimizes your sample packaging to minimize empty space, drastically reducing your air freight sample costs.
⚠️ Restricted & Hazardous Items Checklist
Both BIS and FSSAI regulate items that airlines and shipping lines consider high-risk. Before booking freight, ensure you cross-reference your goods with our warning checklist:
- Lithium Batteries: Highly regulated in air freight. Requires UN38.3 testing reports alongside BIS CRS registration.
- Perishable Foods: Requires FSSAI pre-clearance, phytosanitary certificates, and temperature-controlled reefer containers.
- Pharmaceuticals/Supplements: Often blurs the line between FSSAI and Indian FDA regulations. Requires strict temperature logging.
- Chemicals/Liquids: Must have proper Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to clear both origin export customs and Indian import customs.
Mobile-Responsive Logistics Comparison
Understanding how to move your certified goods efficiently is just as important as the certification itself. Below is a breakdown of freight options once your BIS and FSSAI clearances are secured.
FAQ
Q1: Can SCIC Group help me figure out if my product needs a BIS certificate?
A: Absolutely. Our International Trade Specialists cross-reference your product’s HS Code and technical specifications against the latest Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and BIS mandatory lists to ensure total compliance.
Q2: Do I need an FSSAI license if I am only exporting from China, not operating a physical store in India?
A: Yes. If your food products are entering Indian territory, the Indian importer must hold a valid FSSAI Central License, and your products must comply with Indian packaging, labeling, and safety standards.
Q3: How long does it typically take to get a BIS certificate?
A: Because it involves lab testing and international factory inspections, the process generally takes between 30 to 90 days. We recommend starting the compliance process well before finalizing your commercial logistics timeline.
Q4: Can I use test reports from a Chinese or Thai laboratory for BIS?
A: No. BIS strictly mandates that product testing must be conducted at a BIS-recognized laboratory located within India. SCIC Group can handle the secure logistics of getting your samples to these specific labs.
Secure Your Route to the Indian Market
Understanding how to apply for BIS and FSSAI certificates in India is a complex puzzle of bureaucracy, testing, and documentation. However, you do not have to navigate it alone.
By partnering with SCIC Group, you gain more than a freight forwarder; you secure a strategic international logistics consultant. From optimizing volumetric weight for your test samples to clearing bulk cargo through Indian customs flawlessly, we ensure your trade route from China or Thailand to India is profitable and stress-free.
Ready to streamline your import/export operations and dominate the Indian market? Discover our comprehensive China to India logistics solutions today.
Contact
India Office:
SCIC TRADEX INDIA PVT., LTD.
Ground floor, E-44/3, OkhlaPhase-ll, Delhi 110020, India 110020
Tel: +91 9319510127
Email: scictradex.india@gmail.com
Bangkok, Thailand Office:
SCIC THAILAND CO., LTD.
PNS BUILDING, 747 Ratchadanivate Prachauthit Road, Samsennok Huaikwang, Bangkok10310
Tel: +66638602304
Email: scic.thailand@gmail.com
