Other Business Licences

About Other Business Licences

Beyond tax and company registrations, a business may need other licences depending on what it does and where it operates. Common examples include Shop and Establishment registration under state law and an Import Export Code for businesses dealing in foreign trade. Some sectors and states have further licences of their own.

We start by understanding your business and location, then list the licences and registrations that may apply to you. Where you choose to go ahead, we prepare the applications and help you file them with the relevant department. Each licence is granted or refused by the authority that issues it.

Who Needs This Service

• New businesses unsure which licences they need before opening
• Shops, offices and commercial establishments that employ staff
• Businesses planning to import or export goods or services
• Businesses expanding into a new state or opening a new branch
• Businesses in regulated sectors that need activity-specific permissions
• Owners who want to check whether their existing licences are complete and current

Key Benefits

Eligibility and Applicability

• Shop and Establishment registration: generally required for shops, offices and commercial establishments under the law of the state where they operate, with thresholds and rules that vary by state
• Import Export Code: generally required for businesses importing or exporting goods, and for certain service exports, subject to current exemptions
• Sector-specific licences, for example for drugs, pollution control consent, fire safety, weights and measures or labour registrations, depending on the activity
• State-specific or local permissions that apply to particular trades or premises

Documents Commonly Required

Request this checklist by email

Step-by-Step Process

1. 1

   Business review

   Tell us what your business does, where it operates and how it is set up.

2. 2

   Licence assessment

   We share a list of licences and registrations that may apply, with our reasons, for you to review.

3. 3

   Document preparation

   For the licences you choose to pursue, we send checklists and prepare the applications.

4. 4

   Filing

   After your approval, applications are filed on the relevant portals or with the relevant offices, and prescribed fees are paid by you.

5. 5

   Follow-up

   We help you respond to queries or inspections. Each licence is issued at the discretion of the concerned authority.

Estimated Timeline and Fees

* Timelines are indicative. They can change because of document verification, queries raised by the authority and government processing times, which are outside our control. Approval is decided by the relevant authority under applicable rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming one registration, such as GST, covers every other licence requirement
• Opening a branch in another state without checking that state's rules
• Starting import or export transactions before obtaining an Import Export Code
• Not updating licences after a change in address, activity or ownership
• Overlooking renewal dates for licences that are not issued for life

Frequently Asked Questions