List of Business Licenses Required in India by Industry
Beyond company registration, most Indian businesses need a GST registration and a Shops & Establishment license (state-level, for any commercial premises). Specific industries need additional approvals — food needs FSSAI, cosmetics/medical devices need CDSCO, electronics need BIS, and import/export needs an IEC code.
Licenses every business typically needs
- GST registration — mandatory above ₹40L (goods)/₹20L (services) turnover, or for inter-state/e-commerce sales
- Shops & Establishment license — state-issued, required for any commercial premises with employees
- Professional tax registration — in states that levy it (e.g., Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal)
- Udyam (MSME) registration — optional but gives payment-protection and loan benefits
Industry-specific licenses
| Industry | Required license |
|---|---|
| Food & beverage | FSSAI (Basic/State/Central) |
| Cosmetics (imported) | CDSCO import registration |
| Medical devices | CDSCO device license (by risk class) |
| Electronics/IT hardware | BIS registration (CRS) |
| Import/export | IEC (Import Export Code) |
| Ayurvedic/herbal products | AYUSH license |
| Pharmaceuticals | Drug license (state Drug Controller) |
How to determine what you need
Map every product category and sales channel (online, offline, export) you operate in — each triggers its own license requirement. A food business that also imports packaging materials, for instance, needs both FSSAI and an IEC.
Penalty for operating without required licenses
Operating without mandatory licenses like FSSAI or BIS can lead to seizure of goods, business closure orders, and penalties running into lakhs of rupees — far more costly than the license itself.
Not sure what your business needs? Talk to our compliance team for a licensing checklist specific to your industry.