LMPC Certificate for Import Business

The full form of LMPC is Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity. LMPC certificate registration must be obtained by all the businesses engaged in manufacturing, distribution, selling, packaging and import of pre-packaged commodities in India. 

Rule 27 of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodity Rules, 2011), legislated by the Department of Consumer Affairs, makes LMPC certificate mandatory for the importers who want to import pre-packaged goods. The LMPC license is also known Importer’s license. It is issued by the Legal Metrology Department of India. 

Who Can Apply for LMPC Certificate?

Anyone planning to start an import business dealing with pre-packaged commodities must obtain an LMPC certificate for import. This certification must be secured within 90 days of commencing import activities. The various rules, regulations and laws that must be observed for this certificate are outlined in the Legal Metrology Act 2009. Moreover, several states and union territories have their own unique state/UT rules, regulations and laws which must be followed by the importers.

Want to obtain this certificate from LMD easily? Connect with Registratiowala LMPC consultants! 

Mandatory Declarations for LMPC Import License

As per the Legal Metrology Packaged commodity (LMPC) certificate rules, published in 2011, any importer has to comply with them and thus provide mandatory declarations before starting the import.

They are as follows:

• Country of origin of the product
• Details of the manufacturer, including name and address
•  Address of the manufacturer
• Month and year in which the product was manufactured.
• Year when the product is to be imported.

However, the range of declarations would vary depending upon the nature of the product. For example, the declarations associated with food products would be different from declarations made for electronic or electrical products.

If the importer doesn't make the following declaration, he or she is not eligible for the LMPC certificate. 

Documents Required for Import license Registration in India

1. Identity and Address Proof

These documents verify the identity and residential address of the business owner or authorized signatory:

• PAN Card: A Permanent Account Number (PAN) card issued by the Income Tax Department, essential for taxation purposes.
• Aadhaar Card: A government-issued identity card containing biometric and demographic details, often required for verification.
• Voter ID Card: An official identity document issued by the Election Commission of India, serving as proof of nationality and residence.
• Passport-size Photograph: A recent colored photograph of the applicant, generally required for official documentation and verification.

2. Business Registration Documents

These documents establish the legal existence of the business entity:

• GST Registration Certificate: A certificate proving that the business is registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, necessary for tax compliance.
• Import Export Code (IEC): A 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), mandatory for importing or exporting goods.
• Company Registration Certificate (Memorandum of Association - MoA): A document that defines the objectives and scope of the company’s operations and proves its legal registration.

3. Business Premises Details

These documents confirm the legitimacy and location of the business operations:

• Proof of Business Address: This can include a rent agreement (if the premises are rented) or a property tax receipt (if the premises are owned). These documents serve as proof of the business’s operational location.
• Local Municipal License: A permit issued by the local municipal authority allowing the business to operate within a specific jurisdiction.

4. Product-Specific Information

To ensure regulatory compliance, authorities may require details about the products being imported:

• List of Products to Be Imported Under the License: A comprehensive list specifying the items the business intends to import.
• Detailed Product Specifications: A document outlining the technical details, composition, and intended use of the products to be imported.
• Sample Packaging of the Products: Physical or digital samples of the product packaging, which may be required to assess labeling compliance and safety standards.

5. Additional Documents (If Applicable)

Depending on the type of business and the nature of imports, additional documents may be required:

• MSME Certificate: A certification issued to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to avail government benefits and schemes.
• Manufacturing License (For Importing Weights and Measures): If the business involves importing measuring instruments, a manufacturing license from the Legal Metrology Department may be necessary.
• Model Approval Certificate for Weights and Measures: A certification required for importing weight and measurement instruments to ensure compliance with legal metrology standards.

Process of obtaining the license for Import in India

Here is the LMPC registration procedure  

LMPC registration online is impossible as no such steps exist on LMPC's official website. The offline steps are as follows:

• Get the application for Importer License from the LMPC
• Fill out the application form
• Attach the required documents
• Submit the application to the LMPC along with the LMPC certificate cost
• Get the license.

After the importer has filed the declaration, he obtains an LMPC certificate online or the Importer Registration certificate. They can show that certificate to the clearance authorities at the ports to get the product (s) imported.

What are the Exemptions for LMPC Certificate for Import 

An LMPC certificate registration is necessary to import all pre-packaged commodities into the country. But there are some exemptions to these rules as well. The exemptions are the following:

• Commodities with a net weight or measure of 10 grams or 10 millilitres or less
• Agricultural produce in packages of more than 50 kg
• Packages containing fast food items packed by a restaurant or hotel
• Packages containing formulations covered by the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995

Also, according to the LPMC Act, regarding provisions for packages intended for retail sale, the Legal Metrology rules will not apply to the following:

• Packages with commodities weighing more than 25 kg or 25 litres, excluding cement and fertilisers, sold in bags of up to 50 kg
• Packaged commodities that are meant for industrial consumers  or institutional consumers

Our Assistance 

Obtaining a LMPC Certificate for Import Business in India under Legal Metrology can be a complex and challenging process. Many applications face rejection or cancellation due to incomplete documentation, submission errors, or non-compliance with regulatory standards. To prevent delays and setbacks, seeking expert guidance is highly recommended.

Registrationwala, a trusted industry leader, provides comprehensive support for securing certificates under legal metrology—whether you are a manufacturer or an importer. Their expert team ensures that:

• Your application is accurate, error-free, and fully compliant with legal requirements.
• All necessary documents are correctly prepared and submitted.
• The product testing process is streamlined, reducing the risk of rejection.
• You receive professional guidance at every step, saving valuable time and effort.

With Registrationwala’s expert assistance, you can navigate the approval process smoothly and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the full form of LMPC?

A. The LMPC certificate full form is Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities. LMPC in customs means the LPMC certificate for import license

Q2. What is the LMPC certificate meaning?

A. An LMPC registration certificate is a legal approval to import, pack, sell, and distribute pre-packed commodities in the country.

Q3. In how many days the import has to apply for the LMPC certification?

A. Also known as an import license, LMPC certification has to be applied for within 90 days of starting the import.

Q4. Do the details of the declaration vary with the product?

A. Yes, the range of declarations would vary depending upon the nature of the product. For example, the declarations associated with food products would be different from declarations made for electronic or electrical products.

Q5. Are the declarations made mandatory?

A. Yes, if the importer doesn't make the following declaration, he or she is not eligible for the LMPC certificate. 

Q.6 what is the validity of LMPC Certificate?

A. The LMPC certificate validity for import licenses varies from one to five years.