FSSAI introduces flexibility in fee payment process under Food Import Clearance System to enhance ease of doing business

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) has introduced flexibility with respect to fee payment by Food Importers in the Food Import Clearance System (“FICS”) to enhance ease of doing business. Under this system improvement, Importers/ Custom Brokers are now allowed to make requisite fee payment after visual inspection of imported food consignments, contrary to the earlier requirement where fee payment was mandated before visual inspection. However, the payment of all applicable fees will still be mandatory prior to the issuance of the final clearance decision, i.e. Provisional No Objection Certificate / No Objection Certificate / Non-Conformance Report.

Source: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India