Importing into India requires FSSAIlicensing and labeling

01

Confirming whether import is possible

We look at the raw materials, the composition, and the category to judge whether the product can be imported at all and which regulations apply.

02

Deciding the importer

To be an importer, you need an Indian Importer Exporter Code (IEC). For food, an FSSAI Central License is required as well. Our Indian entity holds an IEC, so for anything other than food we can be the importer. For food, we put forward candidates from local importers that handle Japanese ingredients.

03

Licensing and facility registration

We go and obtain the food license for the company that will be the importer. For the following items, however, there is one more step before that: milk and dairy, meat and meat products (including poultry, fish, and seafood), egg powder, infant food, and nutraceuticals. For these, the Japanese manufacturing facility has to be registered with FSSAI (ReFoM). Applications are filed through the competent authority in Japan.

04

Labeling

The FSSAI labeling standards, and Legal Metrology for packaged goods. We create a label that satisfies both. The language is English or Hindi. At the start, you can get through by applying a label over the Japanese packaging.

05

Estimating the landed price

Freight, customs duty, IGST, clearance charges, domestic logistics, and distribution margin. We stack these up to produce a landed price for each product. That figure is what tells you which channel your price will work in.

06

Documents and the first shipment

Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin. We assemble the documents required and manage the process until the first import is complete.

Checking the product information

Provide the ingredient list, the composition analysis, the shelf life, the packaging information, and the selling price in Japan

Determine whether import is possible and which registrations are needed, and estimate the landed price

Deciding the importer

Decide your policy on the importer

Present candidates and compare their trading terms

Licensing and labeling

Sign the application documents and review the draft label

File the license application and prepare the draft label

First shipment

Prepare the goods and ship them from the Japan side

Check the full set of documents and manage the progress of the shipment

Customs clearance and inspection

Provide additional materials if there are queries

Track the progress of clearance and inspection, and request the materials required

Start of sales

Confirm the delivery destinations

Connect this to the next moves, such as tasting events, test sales, and trade shows

LANDED COST

What makes up the landed price

The price is set by stacking up the following elements. We estimate it product by product and judge which channel the price works in.

Duty rates and IGST rates differ by HS code (product classification). The MRP shown on the package is the tax-inclusive maximum retail price and is not necessarily the same as the actual selling price. Alcoholic beverages are in principle not subject to IGST at import, but state-level liquor taxes and licenses come into play.

Ambient food and beverage

The importer's FSSAI license and the labeling are the core of it. Goods cannot clear customs unless a certain amount of shelf life remains at the time of import, so shipments are planned with the remaining period factored in.

Items that require manufacturing facility registration

Milk and dairy, meat and meat products, egg powder, infant food, and nutraceuticals. These fall under the ReFoM covered above in "Licensing and facility registration," and cannot be imported until registration is complete.

Frozen and chilled

These are limited to importers and channels that can secure a cold chain. We proceed with the target cities and channels narrowed down.

Alcoholic Beverages

On top of customs duty at import, state-level liquor taxes and licenses come into play. Because the tax structure differs from other products, the target states are decided first.

Anime and character IP products

Duty rates differ item by item. Products that count as toys for children under 14 fall under the BIS Quality Control Order and require a BIS license and a marking on the product. We also check the rights for the territories where they can be sold.

Textiles and apparel

Textile products originating in Japan are exempt from submitting azo dye test certificates. The obligation not to use banned dyes remains. Labeling requirements are confirmed product by product.