Guide · 2026
Complete Guide to DFTQC Food License Registration in Nepal (2026)
How to register your food business with the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) — documents, NeFFILS online application, fees, inspection checklist, timelines and renewal.
Introduction
Starting a food business in Nepal requires compliance with food safety regulations established by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), also called Khadya Prabhidhi Tatha Gun Niyantran Bibhag. Whether you plan to open a food manufacturing industry, beverage company, bakery, home-based food business, or import food products, obtaining the necessary food license and product registration is essential.
This guide explains the DFTQC registration process, required documents, product approval procedures, inspection requirements, and online registration through the Nepal Food and Feed Industry Licensing System (NeFFILS).
What is DFTQC?
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) is the government authority under Nepal's Ministry of Health that regulates food safety, quality standards, food labeling and food business licensing.
DFTQC develops and implements food standards, conducts market surveillance, inspects food businesses, collects samples for testing, and takes enforcement action against non-compliant businesses. Through its laboratories and the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), it carries out scientific testing to verify food safety. DFTQC also issues food business licenses, registers food products, and serves as Nepal's National Codex Contact Point and WTO-SPS Enquiry Point.
Who needs a DFTQC license in Nepal?
A food license is mandatory for businesses involved in:
| Business | Examples |
|---|---|
| Food manufacturing industries | Packaged foods, processed foods, spices, bakery, confectionery |
| Bakery industries | Bread, cakes, puff, biscuits, pastries |
| Dairy industries | Milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, ghee, ice cream |
| Beverage manufacturers | Soft drinks, energy drinks, juices, water, alcoholic beverages |
| Food importers & exporters | Importing and exporting food products |
| Home-based food businesses | Commercial food production from home |
| Dietary supplements | Functional foods, nutraceuticals |
Operating without a valid food license may result in penalties, product seizure or business closure.
Food industry registration in Nepal
Before obtaining a DFTQC license, businesses should complete:
- Company registration (OCR for Pvt. Ltd., or Gharelu Tatha Sana Udhyog)
- PAN / VAT registration
- Local government / ward office approval
Basic facility requirements include:
- Clean and hygienic food preparation and processing areas
- Safe and potable water supply
- Proper drainage and waste disposal
- Adequate, temperature-controlled storage
- Effective pest control measures
- Sufficient lighting and ventilation
- Separate areas for raw materials, processing and finished products
DFTQC license requirements
- Company registration certificate (from OCR)
- PAN / VAT certificate (Inland Revenue Department)
- Industry registration certificate
- Citizenship copy of proprietor / directors
- Passport-size photo of responsible person
- Facility layout
- Technical proposal
- Product details and labels
- Machinery and equipment details
- Water source information
- Food safety and hygiene procedures
- Rent agreement
Requirements may vary depending on the type of food business.
DFTQC online registration through NeFFILS
The Nepal Food and Feed Industry Licensing System (NeFFILS) streamlines food licensing and product registration. Through the portal, businesses can:
- Apply for food licenses
- Register new food products
- Track application status
- Request license renewals
- Manage regulatory compliance records
How to get a food license in Nepal
- Prepare documents — business registration, IDs, technical proposal, product specs, labels.
- Submit application via NeFFILS or the concerned DFTQC office with fees.
- Document review by DFTQC officials for completeness and compliance.
- Laboratory analysis — product samples tested for microbiological, chemical and quality parameters.
- Facility inspection — on-site assessment of hygiene, processing and quality controls.
- License approval & issuance after satisfactory review, testing and inspection.
Food labeling approval in Nepal
Food labels must include:
- Product name
- Ingredient list
- Net weight
- Manufacturing date
- Expiry / Best Before date
- Importer details (if imported)
- Batch number
- Manufacturer details
- Storage and use instructions
- Veg / Non-veg symbol
- Allergen information (where applicable)
- MRP
Incorrect labeling may result in rejection of product registration.
DFTQC document checklist
Document requirements vary by application type — industry, recommendation, new license, renewal, product addition and cancellation. Common documents include citizenship, signature image, industry registration, PAN/VAT, technical proposal, registration form, facility layout, trademark registration, labels, nutritional analysis certificate and payment proof. For renewals: latest tax clearance, appointment letter, minute (if Pvt. Ltd.) and previous documents. For cancellation: latest tax clearance and cancellation letter from the industry registration office.
Source: neffils.dftqc.gov.np
Government fees (राजस्व दस्तुर)
Industry recommendation fee: NPR 200.
| Authorised capital | New (2 yrs) | Renewal (within 6 months of expiry) | After 6 months of expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to NPR 5 lakh | NPR 400 | NPR 800 | NPR 4,000 |
| Up to NPR 10 lakh | NPR 1,000 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 10,000 |
| Up to NPR 20 lakh | NPR 2,000 | NPR 4,000 | NPR 20,000 |
| Up to NPR 1 crore | NPR 3,000 | NPR 6,000 | NPR 30,000 |
| Up to NPR 3 crore | NPR 4,000 | NPR 8,000 | NPR 40,000 |
| Up to NPR 10 crore | NPR 6,000 | NPR 12,000 | NPR 60,000 |
| Above NPR 10 crore | NPR 8,000 | NPR 16,000 | NPR 80,000 |
Note: If renewal is delayed more than 6 months after expiry, a penalty of 5× the prescribed fee applies. For new licenses, fee payment is submitted online after the email notification of license preparation. Source: neffils.dftqc.gov.np
Timeline for the DFTQC license process
| Stage | Estimated duration |
|---|---|
| Application submission & initial review | 1–2 weeks |
| Document verification | 1–2 weeks |
| Laboratory testing | 2–3 weeks |
| Inspection scheduling & execution | 1–2 weeks |
| Final evaluation & approval | 1–2 weeks |
| Total estimated time | 6–10 weeks |
License validity & renewal
DFTQC licenses are typically valid for 2 years. Begin renewal at least 35 days before expiry by submitting the renewal application via NeFFILS, providing updated documents (recent lab test reports, production records), paying the renewal fee, and undergoing a renewal inspection if required. Late renewals may cause operational disruptions, penalties, or require a fresh application.
Post-license compliance
- Regular reporting on production, QC and operational changes
- Record keeping of production, batch records, QC and traceability
- Periodic inspections — routine and surprise
- Product testing at regular intervals
- Staff training on food safety and hygiene
- Labeling compliance with current regulations
- Incident reporting for any safety or quality issue
- Change notification for products, processes or operations
DFTQC inspection checklist
Before inspection, verify:
- Infrastructure: clean production area, adequate lighting, ventilation, drainage
- Equipment: food-grade, clean, calibrated measuring devices
- Hygiene: handwashing facilities, uniforms, hair restraints, personal hygiene
- Storage: temperature control, segregation, FIFO
- Pest control: no infestation, monitoring records
- Documentation: SOPs, cleaning records, supplier records
Want a structured self-check before your DFTQC inspection? Use the Ekagajpatra 45-point bilingual self-assessment every 15 days.
Home food business registration in Nepal
Home-based food businesses producing for commercial sale must comply with food safety regulations. Common examples include pickles (achar), bakery items (donuts, muffins, croissants, cakes), traditional snacks (khurma, gujiya, selroti, anarasa, arsa), sauces (ketchup, hot sauce, momo ko achar), beverages, sutkeri masala and chips. Ensure safe production practices and obtain the necessary approvals before selling commercially.
Common reasons for license delays
- Incomplete documentation
- Incorrect product labels
- Poor facility hygiene
- Missing registrations
- Non-compliance during inspection
- Inadequate food safety controls
DFTQC regional offices
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Biratnagar
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Janakpur
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Hetauda
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Pokhara
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Bhairahawa
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Nepalgunj
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Surkhet
- Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Dhangadhi
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a DFTQC license in Nepal?
Any business that manufactures, processes, packages, imports, exports, or sells food and beverages in Nepal needs a DFTQC license — including restaurants, hotels, cafés, bakeries, dairies, beverage makers, home-based food producers and dietary supplement brands.
Is a DFTQC license mandatory for small or home-based food businesses?
Yes. Home-based and small food businesses that sell commercially must comply with DFTQC food safety and hygiene requirements and obtain the relevant license or product registration.
How can I apply for a DFTQC license?
Register your company (OCR or Gharelu/Sana Udhyog), get PAN/VAT and local ward approval, prepare a technical proposal, product details, labels and facility layout, then apply through the NeFFILS portal (neffils.dftqc.gov.np) or the concerned DFTQC office.
Can I apply online for a food license?
Yes. DFTQC accepts online applications through the Nepal Food and Feed Industry Licensing System (NeFFILS) for new licenses, renewals, product additions and cancellations.
What is the NeFFILS system?
NeFFILS (Nepal Food and Feed Industry Licensing System) is DFTQC's online portal for food business licensing, product registration, renewals and tracking application status.
What documents are required for DFTQC registration?
Company registration certificate, PAN/VAT, industry registration, citizenship of proprietor/directors, passport size photo, facility layout, technical proposal, product details and labels, machinery list, water source information, rent agreement and trademark registration (where applicable).
How long does it take to get a DFTQC license?
Typically 6 to 10 weeks end-to-end: application and initial review (1–2 weeks), document verification (1–2 weeks), laboratory testing (2–3 weeks), inspection (1–2 weeks) and final approval (1–2 weeks).
Is inspection required before getting the license?
Yes. DFTQC officials inspect the facility to verify hygiene, processing conditions, equipment, storage, pest control and overall compliance before issuing the license.
What records must I maintain after getting a license?
Production and batch records, quality control test reports, cleaning and sanitation logs, pest control records, staff training records, supplier records, and traceability and incident reports.
What hygiene standards must my facility meet?
Clean production areas, potable water, proper drainage and waste disposal, temperature-controlled storage, pest control, adequate lighting and ventilation, food-grade equipment, and segregation of raw materials from finished products.
Can a home-based business get a DFTQC license?
Yes. Home-based food businesses can obtain a DFTQC license provided they meet food safety, hygiene and regulatory requirements — typically 2–3 separated functional areas for processing, packaging and storage.
What is the renewal interval for a food industry license in Nepal?
DFTQC food licenses are generally valid for 2 years and must be renewed before expiry. Renewal applications should ideally be started at least 35 days before expiry.
Is separate approval needed for each product?
Yes. In most cases each food product requires its own product registration, including label approval and (where claimed) nutritional analysis.
Where can I apply for a DFTQC license in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali or Sudurpaschim Province?
DFTQC has regional Food Technology and Quality Control offices in Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Dhangadhi serving each province.
Need help with DFTQC registration?
We provide DFTQC registration support, technical proposals, food safety training, compliance audits and product registration services across Nepal.