📜 Free Sale & Commerce Certificate
Apply for Free Sale Certificate Online in India with DGFT EXIM
A Free Sale & Commerce Certificate is an official document that certifies a product is legally sold, distributed, and marketed in the country of origin without restrictions. It's an essential requirement for exporting goods — particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, personal care, and medical devices — to assure foreign authorities and buyers of the product's compliance and legal status in India.
📌 Purpose of a Free Sale Certificate
Export Compliance
✅ Confirms the product is freely available in the domestic market without legal or regulatory barriers.
Import Approval in Other Countries
✅ Provides assurance to foreign regulatory agencies that the product complies with Indian laws and safety standards, facilitating acceptance in international markets.
📌 Information Included
A typical Free Sale Certificate includes:
- Product name, description, and specifications
- Manufacturer/exporter details
- Declaration of regulatory compliance in India
- Validity period of the certificate (if applicable)
📌 Who Issues Free Sale Certificates?
DGFT
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
Drug Control Authorities
Drug Control Authorities / CDSCO (for pharmaceuticals and medical devices)
Export Promotion Councils
Export Promotion Councils / Industry Associations (in specific sectors)
State Health Departments
State Health Departments (for certain food and cosmetic products)
📌 Application Process
1️⃣ Prepare Application
Submit an application along with supporting documents like product licenses, test reports, sale invoices, or product labels.
2️⃣ Verification by Authority
The issuing body verifies product details, market availability, and regulatory compliance status.
3️⃣ Issuance of Certificate
Once verified, the Free Sale Certificate is issued, enabling the exporter to include it in their export documentation.
📌 Why It's Important for Exports
- Customs Clearance: Often mandatory for customs and regulatory authorities in the importing country.
- Market Access: Boosts product credibility and simplifies the import approval process.
- Trade Facilitation: Ensures smoother international transactions by meeting destination country requirements.
📌 How DGFT EXIM Can Help
At DGFT EXIM, we assist businesses with:
- End-to-end documentation and application filing
- Coordination with relevant issuing authorities
- Quick issuance of Free Sale & Commerce Certificates for a variety of product categories
- Advisory on destination country-specific requirements