Last reviewed: 4 September 2026
Quick answer: Most new businesses need some combination of PAN & TAN, MSME (Udyam) registration, an Import Export Code, and — for food businesses — an FSSAI license. Which ones apply depends on the nature of the business; Udyam classification (Micro/Small/Medium) itself is based on investment and turnover, covered in the table below.
Registrations are usually a one-time filing rather than a recurring compliance burden, but getting the classification or category wrong at the start can cause avoidable friction later — an incorrect Udyam category, for instance, can affect eligibility for schemes tied to business size. Here’s the factual position on the main registrations we handle.
PAN & TAN
Permanent Account Number (PAN) is required for any entity conducting financial transactions in India, and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) is required for any entity responsible for deducting or collecting tax at source (TDS/TCS) — most registered businesses need both, obtained once at formation.
MSME (Udyam) Registration
Udyam registration classifies a business as Micro, Small, or Medium based on investment in plant & machinery/equipment and annual turnover — both criteria are checked, and the business is classified by whichever criterion places it in the higher category. Per the classification limits effective from Budget 2025-26:
| Category | Investment limit | Turnover limit |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | Up to ₹2.5 crore | Up to ₹10 crore |
| Small | Up to ₹25 crore | Up to ₹100 crore |
| Medium | Up to ₹125 crore | Up to ₹500 crore |
MSME classification affects eligibility for government schemes, priority-sector lending, and — for many businesses — the ability to register on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) or qualify for delayed-payment protection under the MSME Development Act.
Import Export Code & FSSAI
- Import Export Code (IEC) — required for any business importing or exporting goods or services from India, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and generally a one-time registration with no renewal requirement.
- FSSAI license/registration — required for any business manufacturing, storing, distributing, or selling food, at a category (Basic, State, or Central) determined by turnover and scale of operation.
Questions we’re asked about registrations
Do I need Udyam registration even if my business is very small?
It’s not compulsory for every business, but it’s generally worth registering — it’s free, and it opens access to MSME-specific schemes, priority-sector lending, and delayed-payment protection that an unregistered business can’t claim.
Which Udyam category will my business fall into?
Whichever category your investment or turnover places you in, using the higher of the two — a business under the Micro investment limit but above the Micro turnover limit would be classified as Small, for example. Worth checking both figures against the table before assuming a category.
Does an IEC need to be renewed?
The IEC itself doesn’t require periodic renewal, but current DGFT rules require the details to be confirmed annually even without changes — missing that confirmation can result in the code being deactivated.
Setting up a new business or need to check which registrations apply? Ask us on WhatsApp