GST, FSSAI, marketplace onboarding

Category: Industry Packages. From ₹12,999. Typical timeline: 14–21 days.

Overview

The E-commerce Package bundles GST registration, category-specific licensing (like FSSAI for food sellers) and marketplace-onboarding paperwork into one engagement, so a new online seller can go from "registering a business" to "live on Amazon/Flipkart" without missing a requirement that gets a listing blocked later.

Who needs it

• New sellers onboarding to Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho or their own storefront
• Existing offline businesses expanding into online/marketplace sales
• Food and FMCG sellers who need FSSAI in addition to GST
• Anyone confused by TCS deductions on their marketplace settlement reports

Eligibility

• A registered business entity (proprietorship, partnership, LLP or Pvt Ltd) to hold the GSTIN
• GST registration is mandatory for all e-commerce sellers regardless of turnover, under Section 24 of the CGST Act
• Category-specific licences (FSSAI for food, BIS for electronics, etc.) depending on what you sell
• A functioning bank account in the business’s name for marketplace settlements

Documents required

• PAN and identity/address proof of the proprietor/partners/directors
• Business registration proof (proprietorship/partnership deed/incorporation certificate)
• Bank account details and a cancelled cheque
• Product category details (for FSSAI/BIS applicability check)
• Warehouse/premises address proof, if applicable

Process

1. Register for GST — Get your GSTIN before applying to sell on any marketplace — most platforms won’t onboard you without it.
2. Obtain category-specific licences — FSSAI for food, BIS for electronics, or other product-specific certifications as applicable.
3. Onboard to marketplaces — Submit GSTIN, PAN and bank details to Amazon/Flipkart/Meesho seller programs.
4. Reconcile TCS monthly — Match marketplace TCS credit against your GSTR-8/GSTR-3B each filing cycle.

Government fees

• GST registration: Nil — no government fee for standard GST registration
• FSSAI Basic Registration: ₹100 per year (govt fee)
• FSSAI State Licence (if applicable): ₹2,000–₹5,000 per year, slab-based

Professional fee

₹12,999 professional fee for the full bundle (GST + FSSAI registration + marketplace onboarding guidance), in addition to government fees shown above.

Timeline

14–21 working days — GST registration typically clears in 3–7 days, with FSSAI and marketplace onboarding running in parallel.

Deliverables

• GSTIN and GST registration certificate
• FSSAI registration/licence certificate (if applicable to your product category)
• Marketplace-ready document set for Amazon/Flipkart/Meesho onboarding
• A first-month TCS reconciliation walkthrough

Frequently asked questions

Do I need GST registration even if my turnover is below the usual threshold?

Yes — Section 24 of the CGST Act makes GST registration mandatory for e-commerce sellers regardless of turnover.

Do I need FSSAI if I’m only selling packaged snacks through a marketplace?

Yes, any food or food-adjacent product requires FSSAI registration or licensing, even when sold entirely through a marketplace.

What is TCS and why does it show up on my marketplace settlement?

Marketplaces deduct 1% Tax Collected at Source under GST Section 52 before settling your payment — this shows up as a credit in GSTR-8 that you reconcile against GSTR-3B.

Common mistakes

• Onboarding to a marketplace before GST registration is complete, causing listing delays
• Selling food products without FSSAI, risking marketplace suspension once flagged
• Not reconciling TCS credit monthly, leading to a large mismatch discovered only at year-end
• Missing the e-invoicing threshold check once turnover grows past the notified limit

Penalties for non-compliance

• Late GSTR-3B/GSTR-1: late fee per return plus interest on any tax dues
• Selling food without valid FSSAI: fines and potential marketplace delisting
• Late e-invoicing (once applicable): penalty per invoice not properly reported

Legal references

• CGST Act, 2017 — Sections 22, 24 (registration), 52 (TCS)
• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and FSSAI Licensing Regulations