What is Importer License under Legal Metrology

LMPC is short for Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity. As per the Rule 27 of Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity Rules passed by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, it is a legal obligation for the businesses dealing with the import of pre-packaged goods to India to get LMPC Importer License. 

The LMPC License must be applied within 90 days by the businesses before starting with the process of importation of pre-packaged goods. The rules and regulations for LMPC Importer License are according to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. However, many states have implemented amended laws for this license based on their requirements. Failure to obtain this license can result in seizure of goods by customs authorities. 

Why is LMPC Importer License required?

The LMPC Importer License is a legal permit which is required to be obtained by businesses for importing pre-packaged commodities. This license, granted by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, ensures compliance with the legal metrology regulations. The import of pre-packaged commodities in India is regulated by the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

It is a legal obligation to obtain LMPC Importer License if you are an importer of pre-packaged goods before you can bring such goods into India. Having an LMPC Importer License ensures that the imported pre-packaged commodities are in accordance with the prescribed legal metrology requirements. Accurate labeling, proper weight or volume measurements and compliance with the packaging standards are all legal requirements for the importation of pre-packaged goods.

This license ensures that the businesses comply with the rules and regulations of the legal metrology. The LMPC importer license safeguards consumers since it ensures that the pre-packaged commodities bought by them meet the required standards and correctly represent the volume and quantity mentioned on the label. This license promotes fair trade practices and fair competition amongst businesses dealing with the import and sale of pre-packaged commodities.

What are the Benefits of a LMPC Importer License?

Mentioned below are the benefits of an LMPC Importer License:

• Ensures Compliance with Legal Requirements: Obtaining an LMPC Importer License is a legal requirement. It ensures that the importers are in compliance with the legal metrology’s rules and regulations which govern the pre-packaged goods’ importation. Having a LMPC Importer License helps businesses to avoid fines, penalties and any legal issues which could arise in case of non-compliance.
• Promotes Fair Trade Practices: LMPC Importer License maintains a level of playing field among all the businesses dealing with importation of pre-packaged goods and this is how it promotes fair trade practices in the country. It serves as an assurance that all the imported pre-packaged goods undergo the same examination and comply with the same regulations, which prevents any unfair advantage for the non-compliant or inferior commodities. 
• Encourages Consumer Protection: LMPC license ensures that the pre-packaged goods are in accordance with the prescribed standards set for the accurate labeling, proper measurement of weight and volume and compliance with the regulations for packaging of such goods. This license helps to protect consumers against any misleading information, improper measurements or low-quality packaging.
• Assurance of Quality: The Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity (LMPC) Importer License acts as a measure for quality assurance. It assures that the imported pre-packaged commodities are in compliance with the prescribed standards which enhance the consumers’ confidence in the commodities purchased by them. LMPC importer license helps to promote trust and credibility in the commodity market.
• Access to the Market and Distribution Networks: For gaining access to certain markets and distribution networks, obtaining the LMPC license is a required prior condition. Having obtained this license, importers can get entry into such markets which can help them to expand their business opportunities and see a hike in customers and ultimately, an increase in profit generation.
• Government Scrutiny: LMPC License assists the government to have surveillance and control over the imported pre-packaged goods. The regulatory authorities can monitor such goods and enforce legal metrology regulations, which help to ensure that the integrity of trade practices is well-maintained and the public interest is safeguarded.

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Eligibility for LMPC License for Importation of Packaged Commodities

The importers must be involved in the business of importation of the pre-packaged commodities. According to the Legal Metrology Act, a pre-packaged commodity is a commodity which without the presence of the purchaser, is placed in a package of whatever nature, whether sealed or not, so that the product contained therein has a predetermined quantity. In addition to this, your application and commodity must be in accordance with the rules and regulations of LPMC. All the relevant details for the LMPC Certificate must be mentioned in the application for this license for import. All the necessary documents must be submitted along with the application for LMPC importer license. Upon the grant of the LMPC import license, the same can be presented to the customs authorities to get the clearance for imported commodities.

The application procedure for the LMPC Importer License 

There is no universal application procedure for LMPC Importer License. The application procedure differs from state to state. In some states, the application for LMPC Importer License can be submitted online. Whereas, in other states, the online application system is not available for the time being and the applicants/businesses are required to visit the Legal Metrology Department Office of the concerned State for submitting their applications. 

Companies that are involved in the business of importation of package commodities are required to register their name and address for the LMPC Importer License either under the central government or the controller of legal metrology of the concerned state. The controller of the legal metrology department is the competent authority for approval of the LMPC application. Once the application is approved, the director of the controller registers the required information i.e., the importing company’s details such as the name and address for the issuance of LMPC Importer License. LMPC Importer License is valid for a minimum period of 12 months (1 year) and a maximum period of 60 months (5 years).

Exemptions for Registration of LMPC Importer License 

• LMPC Importer License is mandatory for all the importers importing pre-packaged commodities. However, there are certain exemptions for commodities which include:
• Agricultural products which are packed in weights greater than 50 kg.
• Packages which contain chemical formulations covered under the Drug (Price Control) Order, 1995.
• Packaged commodities having net weight less than 10 ml or 10 gm.
• Packages which contain fast food items which have been cooked or baked by hotels or restaurants.
• In addition to the above, chapter 2 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 is exempted for the following things:
  
  • Packages with commodities where weight exceeds 25 litres or 25 kgs. However, it excludes fertilizers and cement which are sold in bags weighing up to 50 kg.
  • Packages meant for institutional/industrial consumers.

Conclusion

The LMPC Importer License is a legal requirement for the businesses for importing pre-packaged commodities. This license ensures compliance with the legal metrology regulations. Legal metrology is the field of law which governs the measurements and measuring instruments to ensure transparency, accuracy and fair trade practices in commercial transactions having the involvement of goods. It is a legal obligation to obtain LMPC Importer License if you are an importer of pre-packaged goods before you can bring such goods into India. 

Having an LMPC Importer License ensures that the imported pre-packaged commodities are in accordance with the prescribed legal metrology requirements. The LMPC License must be applied within 90 days by the businesses before beginning with the process of importation of pre-packaged goods. The rules and regulations for LMPC Importer License are according to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. However, many states have implemented amended laws for this license based on their requirements. Need assistance in obtaining the LMPC Importer License? Connect with Registrationwala’s experienced team leaders.

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Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.