An essential document that importers of pre-packaged products in India must have is the legal metrology certification, or LMPC certificate for importers. The Legal Metrology Act mandates that all producers and the packers of pre-packaged goods, in addition to importers of those products, get an LMPC certificate for import. This certificate acts as evidence that the import packaged goods meet all applicable laws, including those pertaining to precise labels, weight, and measurement.
LMPC certificate types?
The certification falls under the category of 2.
- Central Certificate
- State certification.
Who needed a certificate from LMPC?
Importers, producers, and packers among pre-packaged goods are required to have an LMPC certificate for import.
The LMPC Certificate Is Important for Pre-Packaged Goods
Metrology is the study of measurement, and in order to guarantee that the end users of their pre-packaged goods are receiving fair weight products, it is particularly essential that importers and manufactures of such goods to obtain LMPC Registration. This is so that customers are shielded from fraud by LMPC Registration, which guarantees the accuracy of pre-packaged goods’ weights and measures.
Pre-Packaged Commodities listed under LMPC
- Powdered detergent with milk.
- Coffee and tea.
- cooking fats.
- soap.
- enamels, varnish, and paint.
- Bags of cement.
- Bread, biscuits, and baby food.
- Soft drinks and additional non-alcoholic drinks.
- Drinking water and mineral water.
- Suji, Rawa, Wheat flour, and rice flour.
Requirements for the LMPC Certificate for import in documents
The following is a list of documents needed for pre-packaged items to receive an LMPC certificate for import.
- Identification and address proof.
- Code of Importer-Exporter.
- application photo the size of a passport.
- The GST registration certificate.
- Aadhaar Information.
- Attached to the items should be an example of the declaration.
- A firm must affix a copy of its memorandum of articles.
Note: Pre-packaged goods that are imported using plastic packaging also need an EPR certificate.
Procedure for LMPC Certificate Registration
- Completing the application:- Candidates need to apply to the appropriate authorities.
- Documentation: Provide the duly verified and signed paperwork that the authorities have requested. The application process requires the attachment of the papers.
- Fee Submission: After filling out the application, send in the necessary payment, if any.
- Issue of LMPC Certificate: Following the regulatory body’s completion of the verification procedure, the LMPC certificate for import can be issued in a span of 7 to 10 business days.
Details that must be on the packaging
- The date on which food goods expire.
- Net contents expressed as volume, length, and weights.
- Information about the customer service.
- Maximum Retail Price (with GST included).
- Date of import, packaging, and manufacturing.
- Product name in its generic form.
- origin nation of imported commodities.
- Quantities that are packed, such as under 5 grams, 5 grams, 10 grams, 20 grams, etc.
Declarations made in the Import LMPC Certificate
- If the packaging is meant to be purchased retail or wholesale.
- Whether food or perishable goods are included in the box.
- If the packaged goods are going to be exported from the nation.
- Whether the goods are packaged just to be used as raw materials by a certain sector.
- Whether the packaging adheres to Rule 5 on Legal Metrology’s certificate requirements for standard quantities.
- if the package consists of multiple pieces, a group package, or a combination package.
- If there are any fast food products in the bundle.
- Whether the cargo includes any agricultural farm products weighing 50 kg or more, or any scheduled or non-scheduled formulations covered by the Drugs (Price Control) Order.
- Whether your company has faced legal action for breaking Weights and Measures regulations in the past three years. If so, the challan date, etc.
- crimes that are being contested and whether or not they are compounded.
- Whether the store, factory, or other space is owned or rented.
- Has the W&M Department inspector last examined your property?
What are the LMPC fees and costs for registration?
LMPC registration costs differ based on the type of business. The details of the charge are as follows:
- 10,000–15,000 Indian rupees for the Manufacturer:
- 10,000 Indian rupees for the repairer
- 10,000 Indian rupees for the dealer
- 8000–10,000 Indian rupees for importers
- 10,000 Indian rupees for packing
- 7000 Indian rupees is the dealer for renewal.
- 7000 Indian rupees is the manufacturer for renewal.
- 7000 Indian rupees for the repairer for renewal
The LMPC certificate’s gain from it
- Legal Compliance: In order to guarantee adherence to Indian legal metrology certificate regulations, importers are legally required to get an LMPC certificate for import. Penalties, hold-ups in customs clearance, along with the seizure of goods could occur from not complying with this requirement.
- Market Access: Many merchants and wholesalers in India demand that imported goods bear the LMPC certification in order for them to be sold. With the help of this certificate, importers can reach a larger market and establish alliances with regional companies.
An exception was granted under the LMPC
The following goods are not required to have net weight labels:
- Goods weighing no more than 10 grams net.
- Produce packaged in quantities more than fifty kilos.
- Packages that hotels or restaurants package with fast food products.
- Packaged products meant for use by businesses.
- Packages holding products weighing greater than 25 kg or 25 liters, excluding bags of cement or the fertilizer that can weigh up to 50 kg.
Qualification for the certificate of LMPC
- Essential but not obligatory: An LMPC Certificate is required in order to import pre-packaged goods into India. This license is required for all buyers of packaged goods, including food products, cosmetics, also electronics, and other market goods.
- Particular conditions: There are certain limitations to this rule, though. In India, carriers are excused from getting the LMPC Certificate if they transport agricultural items weighing more than 50 kg and commodities weighing 10 grams/mL or less.
- Compliance with the Metrology Law: Because of the Legal Metrology Act of 2009, pre-packaged goods can be imported, transferred, and sold in India. A strong customer knowledge base is created and unfair commercial practices related to such goods are decreased by enrollment under this Act.