India operates dozens of regulatory bodies and licensing systems — a legacy of a complex, federal governance structure combined with sector-specific regulations developed over decades. For an international importer, this complexity is both an opportunity and a risk. An opportunity, because a supplier holding the right licences signals genuine compliance with Indian regulatory standards. A risk, because the proliferation of licence types makes it easy for fraudulent suppliers to present fake or irrelevant documentation that appears impressive but proves nothing. This guide cuts through the complexity and focuses on the licences that actually matter. Learn more about our company and how we help importers navigate Indian supplier verification.
FSSAI — Food Safety Licence
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the central regulatory body governing the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of food products in India. Any business involved in food handling above a minimal threshold is required to hold a valid FSSAI licence or registration.
There are three tiers of FSSAI registration: basic registration (small businesses, turnover under ₹12 lakh), state licence (medium businesses), and central licence (large businesses, interstate trade, and exporters). Any Indian food supplier that exports must hold a central FSSAI licence.
What it tells you: The supplier is recognised by Indian food safety authorities as a legitimate food business. Their premises and processes have been assessed at least at the time of registration.
How to verify: Go to fssai.gov.in → Licence/Registration Search. Enter the 14-digit FSSAI licence number shown on the certificate. The result will show the business name, address, licence validity dates, and food category coverage. Verify that: the name matches your supplier, the address matches the factory address, the licence covers your product category, and the expiry date is in the future.
What FSSAI does NOT tell you: Whether the supplier currently maintains the standards they were licensed for. FSSAI compliance at the time of initial licensing does not guarantee ongoing compliance. A pre-shipment quality inspection remains essential for food products. Our document verification service covers FSSAI alongside all other key identifiers — see real client cases where licence checks revealed critical discrepancies.
MSME — Small and Medium Enterprise Registry
MSME registration (now called Udyam Registration, introduced in 2020) is a voluntary registry for micro, small, and medium enterprises under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It is not a mandatory licence but rather a recognition that provides access to government schemes, priority lending, and certain procurement preferences.
What it tells you: The supplier is a legally recognised business entity with a declared investment level and turnover classification. It also confirms that they have a PAN-linked business registration.
How to verify: Go to udyamregistration.gov.in. The Udyam Registration Number (format: UDYAM-XX-00-0000000) can be verified using the public lookup tool. You will see the enterprise name, type (micro/small/medium), date of registration, and PAN.
Important caveat: MSME/Udyam registration is self-declared — it does not involve site inspection or third-party verification. A supplier can register as an MSME in minutes online. It is a useful corroborating signal, not a quality assurance mechanism.
BIS — Standardisation and Certification
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body — broadly equivalent to ANSI (USA), BSI (UK), or DIN (Germany). BIS manages the ISI Mark scheme, which certifies that products meet specified Indian standards (IS standards). For many product categories, BIS certification is mandatory under Indian law — meaning products cannot legally be sold in India without it.
For exporters, BIS certification is a significant quality signal: it means the product has been tested against a documented standard by a government-recognised body. Mandatory BIS certification categories include: cement, steel, pressure cookers, electrical switches, helmets, and many others.
How to verify: Go to bis.gov.in → Product Certification → License Verification. Enter the BIS licence number. The result shows the licence holder's name, address, product category, IS standard number, and validity. Verify all these against what the supplier has told you.
IEC — Importer-Exporter Code
The Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) is a 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce. It is mandatory for any entity that imports or exports goods from India. A supplier without an IEC cannot legally export to you.
How to verify: Go to dgft.gov.in → Services → IEC. Use the IEC enquiry tool to verify the code. You will see the entity name, registered address, date of issue, and status (active/surrendered). The IEC must be in the name of the same entity that appears on your commercial invoice and contract.
ISO Certificates — Genuine vs Fake
ISO certification — particularly ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 22000 (food safety), and ISO 14001 (environmental management) — is widely cited by Indian suppliers. It is also widely faked — one of the common patterns behind Indian supplier fraud. A professional-looking PDF is not sufficient evidence of genuine certification. Cross-checking ISO alongside GST verification gives a much clearer picture of a supplier's legitimacy.
How to verify genuinely: Note the name of the certifying body (e.g., Bureau Veritas, SGS, TÜV Rheinland, DNV). Go to that certifying body's certificate verification portal. Enter the certificate number. Major certification bodies all maintain online public databases. If the certificate number returns no result, the certificate is fake.
Also verify: the scope of certification (does it cover the specific product you are ordering?), the address on the certificate (does it match the factory address?), and the validity dates.
APEDA — Agricultural Export Certification
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) regulates and promotes exports of scheduled agricultural products from India. APEDA registration is mandatory for exporters of products including fresh fruits and vegetables, processed fruits and juices, rice, cereals, and dairy products. Verify APEDA registration at apeda.gov.in using the exporter's name or registration number.
Spices Board — Spice Certification
India is the world's largest producer and exporter of spices. The Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce, regulates and certifies spice exports. Exporters of spices must hold Spices Board registration, and many buyers require a Spices Board Quality Certificate alongside each shipment. This certificate covers quality parameters, pesticide residue levels, and authenticity of origin. Verify registration at indianspices.com.
How to Comprehensively Verify Supplier Licences
The right combination of licences to verify depends on your product category. As a general rule, verify GST and IEC for all suppliers. Then add product-specific licences based on what you are buying:
| Product Type | Mandatory Licences | Strongly Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Food ingredients, spices | FSSAI (Central), IEC, GST | APEDA, Spices Board, ISO 22000 |
| Pharmaceuticals / APIs | Drug Licence, IEC, GST | GMP, WHO-GMP, ISO 9001 |
| Textiles / garments | IEC, GST | OEKO-TEX, GOTS, Factory Reg |
| Chemicals | IEC, GST, MSDS | ISO 9001, Factory Reg |
| Electronics | IEC, GST, BIS (if applicable) | CE/FCC test reports, ISO 9001 |
| Organic goods | FSSAI, APEDA, IEC, GST | Organic certification (NPOP/NOP) |
- Verify GST number on gst.gov.in — status must be "Active"
- Verify IEC on DGFT portal — status must be "Active"
- Verify product-specific licence (FSSAI/BIS/Drug) on the issuing body's portal
- Verify ISO certificate number with the issuing certification body
- Confirm all licence addresses match the factory address
- Confirm all licence names match the entity name on your invoice and contract
- Check expiry dates — licences should be valid at least through your delivery date
Our $95 document verification package covers all key Indian regulatory databases — GST, IEC, FSSAI, BIS, MSME, MCA — in a single comprehensive report delivered within 24 hours. We flag discrepancies, expired licences, and addresses that do not match — so you know exactly what you are dealing with before you pay.
