The fssai license for export of spices is one of the three mandatory compliance requirements for any Indian spice exporter operating legally within India’s food safety and agricultural export framework.
It sits alongside Spices Board registration and APEDA RCMC as a statutory requirement, not an optional credential. Semrush data confirms that “fssai license required for exporting spices from india” generates 90 monthly searches in the US market, with closely related variants including “is fssai license mandatory for export of spices from india” (40 vol) and “fssai license requirement for export of spices from india” (40 vol) adding to a total cluster of approximately 170 monthly searches.
This volume reflects how frequently US spice buyers and prospective Indian exporters research this specific compliance question.
This guide answers every question about the fssai license required for exporting spices: who needs it, what it covers, the different licence tiers, how it relates to Spices Board and APEDA, and what US buyers should verify about their Indian spice supplier’s FSSAI status before placing a purchase order.
Is FSSAI License for Export of Spices Mandatory?
The Direct Answer –
Yes. The fssai license is mandatory for export of spices from india. This answer applies regardless of the exporter’s scale of operation, the spice category being exported, or the destination market. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 require all food businesses in India, including those that process, pack, and export spices, to hold a valid FSSAI registration or licence.
The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare responsible for establishing science-based food safety standards and regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of food articles across India. Spices are classified as food articles under the FSS Act, making FSSAI licensing applicable to all spice handling operations.
Is fssai license mandatory for export of spices from india even if you are only a trading company and not a processor?
Yes. Any food business that stores, distributes, or exports food products falls within the FSSAI regulatory framework. A spice trading company that sources from packing facilities and exports under its own commercial invoice must hold FSSAI registration or licence for its own business entity.
FSSAI Licence Tiers: Which One Does a Spice Exporter Need?
The FSSAI operates a three-tier licensing framework based on annual business turnover. The fssai license requirement for export of spices from india depends on which tier applies to the specific business.
FSSAI Basic Registration Annual turnover below Rs 12 lakh. Applicable to small-scale food handlers and very small petty food manufacturers. This tier is generally not appropriate for any commercially active spice exporter, as even modest export volumes typically generate turnover above this threshold.
FSSAI State Licence Annual turnover between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore, or businesses with operations within a single state. A small to medium-scale spice exporter whose annual turnover falls within this range applies to the relevant State Food Safety Authority.
FSSAI Central Licence (FLRS) Annual turnover above Rs 20 crore, or food businesses involved in import or export operations regardless of turnover. This is the applicable tier for most serious spice exporters. The FSSAI Central Licence (Food Licensing and Registration System) is issued by the Central Licensing Authority under FSSAI and is the licence tier that US buyers, European buyers, and Gulf importers will expect to see referenced in a spice supplier’s compliance documentation.
For exporters who are uncertain which tier applies, the Central Licence is the appropriate choice for any business whose primary commercial activity involves spice export to international markets. The Central Licence covers the export function comprehensively and is processed by FSSAI’s central authority rather than state authorities, providing a nationally consistent compliance document.
What the FSSAI Licence Covers for Spice Exporters?
The fssai license required for export of spices from india covers the following elements:
Facility compliance: The licence is issued to a specific food business at a specific registered address. For a spice exporter, this typically means the processing and packing facility where spices are cleaned, graded, packed, and prepared for export. The facility must meet FSSAI’s minimum hygiene and safety standards: clean and pest-free storage, appropriate equipment for the food category handled, documented cleaning and sanitation procedures, and a responsible person designated for food safety compliance.
Product categories: The licence specifies the food categories covered. For spice exporters, the relevant categories under FSSAI classification include whole spices, ground spices, spice mixes, and condiments. The licence must cover the specific spice categories being exported. An exporter adding a new category (such as adding cardamom to an existing pepper and turmeric operation) must update their licence to include the new category.
Quality standards: FSSAI sets the food safety standards for each spice category, including maximum limits for moisture content, ash content, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbial contamination. Products exported under the FSSAI-licensed facility must comply with these standards. FSSAI standards form India’s domestic food safety baseline, but exporters must additionally comply with the destination country’s standards (US MRL thresholds, EU MRL thresholds, etc.) which may be more stringent.
The FSSAI Licence Application Process for Spice Exporters
Applying for the fssai license for export of spices from india involves the following steps:
Step 1: Create an account on the FSSAI Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) The application portal is at https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in. Create an account for the business entity (company, partnership, or proprietorship) and begin the Central Licence application.
Step 2: Complete the application form The application form (Form B for Central Licence) requires: Business name and registered address. Type of business entity (company, partnership, proprietorship). Nature of business (manufacturer, repacker, trader, exporter, or combination). List of food categories to be covered. Details of the food safety management system in place. Details of machinery and equipment at the facility. Details of the water source and quality testing. Details of the person responsible for food safety.
Step 3: Submit required documents Documents required to accompany the FSSAI Central Licence application include: Form B completed and signed. Proof of business entity (Certificate of Incorporation for companies, partnership deed for firms, identity and address proof for proprietorships). Proof of registered address (rental agreement or ownership document). List of directors or partners. Authority letter designating the responsible person for FSSAI compliance. Food safety management system documentation (HACCP plan or equivalent). NOC from the municipality or local body.
Step 4: Facility inspection FSSAI assigns a food safety officer to inspect the processing and packing facility. The officer verifies that the facility meets minimum infrastructure requirements: hygienic storage conditions, pest control measures, appropriate equipment, documented cleaning procedures, and a functional quality testing arrangement.
Step 5: Licence issue Upon successful inspection and application review, FSSAI issues the Central Licence. The licence is issued with a unique licence number and is valid for 1 to 5 years depending on the applicant’s choice at the time of application. The fssai license for export of spices must be renewed before expiry to maintain continuous compliance.
How FSSAI Relates to Spices Board and APEDA for Export Compliance?
US buyers and importers evaluating an Indian spice supplier frequently ask whether FSSAI, Spices Board, and APEDA registrations are related or redundant. They are separate, non-overlapping requirements that each address a different aspect of the compliance framework.
FSSAI covers domestic food safety compliance for the facility and product. It establishes that the facility meets India’s food safety standards and is authorised to handle food products commercially.
Spices Board registration is specific to the spice export sector. It establishes that the exporter is registered under the Spices Board Act for the specific spice categories being exported and enables access to Spices Board quality certification. Full detail at the Spices Board Registration guide.
APEDA registration is the agricultural export compliance framework that enables export of scheduled agricultural products including spices and provides access to APEDA export promotion schemes.
All three are required simultaneously. An exporter who holds FSSAI but not Spices Board registration, or who holds APEDA but not FSSAI, is not fully compliant for Indian spice export. US buyers should verify all three during supplier onboarding.
What US Buyers Should Check Regarding a Supplier's FSSAI Status?
Before placing a purchase order with any Indian spice exporter, US buyers should:
Request the FSSAI licence number and certificate copy. Confirm the licence is current (not expired) and covers the specific spice categories being purchased.
Verify the licence number at the FSSAI portal (foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in) where registered food businesses are publicly searchable.
Confirm whether the licence covers the actual processing and packing facility, not just the trading office address. The FSSAI licence is facility-specific. A supplier whose packing is done at a third-party facility must provide the FSSAI licence for that facility, not their own office.
Berrydale Spices holds a current fssai license for export of spices covering all spice categories in our export range. Our licence documentation is available to prospective buyers as part of the standard supplier qualification package. For the full compliance documentation overview, see the Indian Spices Exporter hub.
Request Compliance Documentation from Berrydale Spices – 91-8655315605
