Prove your product's regulatory compliance to international buyers. We facilitate FSC issuance from CDSCO (Medical/Drugs), State FDA, and DGFT for seamless export registration.
Determine the correct issuing body.
A Free Sale Certificate (FSC), also known as a Certificate of Free Sale (CFS), is a document issued by a national regulatory authority. It certifies that the product listed is manufactured in accordance with local laws, is freely sold in the domestic market of the exporting country (India), and is safe for human use.
Importing countries require this document to register the product with their own Health Ministry or Drug Controller before allowing import. It acts as a primary proof of quality and regulatory standing.
The authority depends on the nature of your product.
For Medical Devices & New Drugs: Issued by the Central Licensing Authority via the SUGAM portal for Class C & D devices and new drug molecules.
For Generic Drugs & Cosmetics: Issued by the State FDA where the manufacturing unit is located. Required for Class A & B medical devices as well.
For General Goods: Issued for items not covered under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act (Engineering goods, consumer products, etc.).
For Herbal, Ayurvedic, and Unani products, the FSC is issued by the Ministry of AYUSH or the respective State AYUSH Department.
To obtain an FSC, you must prove that you hold a valid license to manufacture and sell the product in India.
An FSC issued in India is often not valid abroad until it is legalized. We handle the full chain:
Collate Manufacturing License, Product List, and applicable fees.
File online on SUGAM (CDSCO) or submit to the respective State Authority.
Drug Inspector verifies license validity and product approval status.
FSC issued. Validity usually aligns with the Manufacturing License.
Per Certificate Application
Based on Authority & Product
An FSC isn't just a letter; it's a verification of your domestic compliance. CloudDesk ensures your Indian licenses are the foundation for your global sales.
Exporters often apply to the wrong department. If it's a Medical Device or Drug, you need CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization). If it's an Engineering or General Item, you need DGFT. CloudDesk routes your application to the correct authority, preventing months of jurisdictional delays.
To get an FSC, you must prove you have a Manufacturing License or an FSSAI/LMPC license for that specific product in India. CloudDesk performs a Compliance Audit to ensure your domestic licenses cover the exact technical name and specifications mentioned in your export order.
Many countries (like those in the Hague Convention) won't accept a simple FSC; they need it Apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). CloudDesk provides the FSC + Apostille combo, handling the physical movement of documents between departments.
For items that don't fall under a specific regulatory body (like textiles or furniture), we obtain a Certificate of Commerce from the DGFT. This serves as the equivalent of an FSC, reassuring your foreign buyer that the product is a standard "article of commerce" in India.
It is a government-issued certificate confirming that the product is manufactured in India and is "free to be sold" in the Indian domestic market. It's proof that the product is safe and legally compliant at its source.
Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Food products are the most common. However, some countries now require it for Pesticides, Toys, and Electronics as well.
No. A COO only says where the product was made. An FSC says the product is safe/legal for sale in the country of origin. You usually need both for high-stakes exports.
In 2026, an FSC is typically valid for 2 years from the date of issue, or until the expiry of your manufacturing license—whichever is earlier.
Yes, but with a catch. You must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and a copy of the manufacturing license from the actual manufacturer. CloudDesk manages this tripartite documentation.
(1) Valid IEC, (2) Manufacturing License from a State/Central authority, (3) List of products to be certified, and (4) Self-declaration that the product is not banned or restricted in India.
You must apply to the CDSCO (Sugam Portal). Under the Medical Device Rules (MDR) 2017/2026, this requires a valid "Form MD-5" or "MD-9" manufacturing license.
Yes. You can list multiple products in a single application, provided they fall under the same manufacturing license. This saves you significant application fees.