Market
Launching a product brand in India
India has two entry routes: import under BIS, CDSCO and FSSAI rules, or make locally with third-party manufacturers. Each comes with its own licences and pack declarations.
How to launch a private label brand in India
To launch a private label brand in India, decide first whether you will import or make locally through a third-party manufacturer, then map your product to the correct regulator: FSSAI for food, CDSCO and state licensing authorities for cosmetics, and BIS for toys and many electronics. Each has its own licence, and a mismatch stops goods at the border.
Import has hard gates. A cosmetic must be registered with the Central Licensing Authority under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 before import, with pack size, variant and manufacturing site included. Toys need BIS certification under a Quality Control Order, and foreign factories need a licence under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme. Few foreign plants hold this licence, so choose your factory with that in mind, or consider Indian production.
Packs are stricter than many brands expect. Legal Metrology rules require declarations including importer name and address, country of origin and maximum retail price, and food imports must show the importer’s FSSAI logo and licence number. The guidance here is general, and some official documents are older compilations, so a qualified Indian adviser reviews each point for your product. See compliance.
Who does what in India, by product group
Imported goods shown. Local manufacture changes the licence but not the need for one.
| Group | Who is responsible | Product rule | Trademark route | Packaging and EPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | Indian importer or authorised agent; local makers licensed by the State Licensing Authority | Cosmetics Rules 2020: import registration with CDSCO; quality standards; no misleading claims | Indian trademark filing, or Madrid designating India | Legal Metrology declarations; plastic packaging EPR |
| Food and supplements | FSSAI-licensed importer or manufacturer | Food Safety and Standards Regulations; nutraceutical rules of 2016 with listed ingredients; central licence category | As above | FSSAI logo and licence, importer details, country of origin |
| Toys | Foreign or domestic licence holder | Toys QCO 2020; IS 9873 and IS 15644; BIS mark under FMCS for foreign makers | As above | As for general goods |
| Electronics | Manufacturer, or an Authorized Indian Representative for foreign firms | BIS Compulsory Registration, with reports from BIS-recognised labs; initial validity two years | As above | E-waste registration via CPCB, plus packaging EPR |
| General goods | Importer or brand owner in India | Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 for pre-packed goods | As above | Registration with the Legal Metrology department for importers; CPCB portal for EPR when operating in more than two states |
Under plastic EPR guidance, micro and small brand owners are exempt from EPR obligations. Check your size and role, and confirm the current rules.
Before launch
Registration timing often sets your earliest date. Start this list first.
- Decision on importing or making in India, with landed costs for each
- Indian entity or partner named for each licence, and written rights if you part ways
- Product classification reviewed against current BIS orders, as these change
- Label and pack checked against Legal Metrology rules, with MRP and importer details
- EPR registration for plastic packaging on the CPCB portal, where applicable
Main channels and how they work
Channel choice shapes pricing, because MRP is printed on the pack.
Amazon India and Flipkart
The usual online test. Understand who acts as seller of record, and what fees and advertising are needed to appear.
Quick commerce
Fast delivery apps favour fast-moving, compact products from a limited range. They take a margin and need city-level stock.
Third-party manufacturing
Local makers offer low-volume entry in several categories. Verify the licence on the actual product and protect your formula and artwork by contract.
Frequently asked questions
Do imported cosmetics need registration in India?
Yes. CDSCO says any article falling within the definition of a cosmetic must be registered, with pack size, variants and manufacturing premises, before import. The Cosmetics Rules 2020 also forbid false or misleading claims.
What must appear on an imported product’s pack in India?
Packaged commodity rules require items such as the importer’s name and address, country of origin and MRP. Imported foods also show the FSSAI logo and licence number of the importer. Check the rules for your product, as rectifiable food labels may need bonded-warehouse handling.
Can I sell toys in India made in another country?
Only if the factory holds a BIS licence for the relevant standard. The Toys Quality Control Order applies to domestic and foreign makers. As BIS had granted only a small number of foreign licences in May 2026, many brands look at Indian production.
Is third-party manufacturing a good start in India?
It can be, and it avoids some import gates. You still need to check licences, quality and who owns the formula. Our manufacturing stage covers the questions and contract points we would raise.
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