LMPC Certificate for Import

Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Certificate (LMPC) mean regulate the packaging requirement of the pre-packaged commodity distribute or sale in India also it is a mandatory requirement if you are willing to import pre-packaged goods. There are such things like. Food items, pharmaceutical items or any another items may have specialized. In their government act, of the clear instruction e.g. Pharmaceutical products need to meet extra rules laid out in the drugs and cosmetics regulations. If any importer imports the pre-packaged accommodates to sell or distribute, then they needs to apply the LMPC.

Importer Registration under Rule 27" basically means that if you're bringing pre-packaged products into India, you need to let the Indian government know what products you're bringing in. It's just a formal way of saying you have to register as an importer and declare what you're importing is sometimes referred to as the "Legal Metrology Certificate" by some folks. Essentially, it's a document that allows importers to bring certain products into a country while meeting legal standards for weights and measures.

What is pre-packaged Commodity for LMPC Registration?

Pre-packaged commodities are those where the goods are packed (unsealed or sealed) without the end consumer being present, and predetermined those contents hence present inside the package. 

There are pre-packaged commodities are covered by LMPC mention below:

• Cement in bags
• Soaps
• Rice Flour, wheat Flour 
• Non-alcoholic Beverages
• Paint, Varnish, Enamels, etc. 

Why Do I Require LMPC Certification?

For the importer of every pre-packed commodity is mandatory to registration of The Legal Metrology Pre-Packed Commodity. The packaging compliance commodity rules has to be done before the goods are imported in India. Under these all rules have to ensure that certain declaration are made for the pre-packaged commodities.

There are some customs authorities they were empowered by our Government to check whether the importers have been fulfilled or not, by the legal metrology compliances. Those who under the legal metrology may lead the stoppage of the import shipment, it makes crucial for the importers to obtain the registration of legal meteorology well before any imports.

What is an LMPC Certification for import?

If traders bring in products that are already packed and ready to sell, they have to fill out a form and send it to either the Director of Legal Metrology in the Central Government or the State Controller of Legal Metrology. This application is necessary for legal compliance. If the application accepted by the authority then the authority of registering authority ( legal controller of metrology\Director) they will register the name of importers and their address and grant them an Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Certificate.

• Legal compliance: Importer have to legally require to obtain the certificate of LMPC to make sure the compliance with Indian legal metrology regulation. 
• Consumer Trust: This certificate signifies that the imported packaged commodities meet the necessary quality and measurement. Also this certificate enhance the consumer trust towards the products and commodities and strengthens the importers reputation.
• Market Access:  In India, obtaining certification for imported products is often a prerequisite for selling them through local distributors. This certification ensures that the products meet certain standards and regulations, giving consumer’s confidence in their quality and safety.

Basically there are only two types of LMPC certificate and there were mentioned below:

• Importers License of LMPC:  It’s require when you planning to sell or importing without labelling and packaging.
• LMPC packer and manufacture license:  in India this need when you manufacture and package pre-packed commodities. Or obtaining goods from an any another party and pack them with your own brand

• Address proof, Identity proof, and Photograph of the applicant
• Importer of Medical Devices/IVDs/Cosmetics
• Date of Birth of the applicant
• Foreign Manufacturer of Medical Devices
• Residential Proof of registered Place of work
• Authorised Agent of Medical Devices
• Partnership deed for Partnership Firm
• Authorised Agent of Medical Devices
• Copy of PAN
• Authorised Agent of Medical Devices
• Copy of GST Registration
• Authorised Agent of Medical Devices
• Trade License, Incorporation Certificate shop/establishment/municipal (as the case may be)
• Authorised Agent of Medical Devices
• Affidavit to state that the applicant would abide by the Legal provisions 
• Authorised Agent of Medical Devices
• Affidavit to state that applicant had neither been punished by any Court nor is anytycriminal proceeding pending in any Court.

2011, (General) rule 15 of the Legal Metrology define the procedure of registration. This related to the payable fee is described in the 12th schedule, and format is related to the application is described in the 10th schedule of the said rules. 

There Are Several Steps Of Obtraning The Legal Metrology License

• Filling The Application: Initial step , our experts will help you in filling the application form  from LM-1 for licence and manufacture , Form LR-1 for repairing the licence  and Form LD-1 for dealer licence along with all the documents.
• Inspection and Verification:  once our experts submitted all the documents and form to the authorities then our local senior inspection will verify the all documents and consider an inspection.
• Grant the License: once all the steps and formalities completed, you need to pay the required fees then you will get your license for Manufacturer, repairer, and dealer license 

Where to apply for LMPC Registration for import

Some states gives facility to online registration. For e.g. in Andhra Pradesh you can submit on an AP department your application with the necessary documents. If you are belong from their area where the online facility is not available then in your state visit the local Metrology department and submit your application and form to those person or if you want to make this more easy so you can hire a lawyer or a consultant to do the all legwork for you.

Declarations While Submitting LMPC Application

When applying for a legal metrology certificate, you'll need to make several declarations. Firstly, you must specify if the package is for wholesale or retail purposes and if it contains standard quantities according to the rules. 

Also, you should indicate whether it holds food or perishable items, and if it's a group, combination, or multi-piece package. If the items are raw materials for specific industries, if they'll be exported, or if they're fast food items, note that too. 

Additionally, mention if your shop is owned or rented and if the package includes certain formulations or agricultural products of a certain weight. You'll also need to disclose if your premises were inspected before, any past violations of weights and measures laws, and if your firm has challenged any offenses recently, including any compounded ones.

In India this certificate also comes with a definite validity period basically the period of this certificate is only 5 years. It can be renewed before expiry of years to avoid an any obstacles during the customs clearance.

Rule violations and penalties:

The violations and penalties comes on Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodity) Rule will invite in a fine mode.

• If any provision of rule 27 to 31 are violated fine is INR 4,000
• And if you broke or violated the any another provision rules there is n any punishments in act or rule the fine will come in INR 2,000
• There is also a late charge fine, if you apply for LMPC certificate after the 90 days of the commencement of import, the fine would be charged  of a late fee in INR 5,000 in Delhi.

Basically, if a product breaks the rules, there could be fines or other actions taken, especially if it's not the first time. Usually, the company that made the product is responsible. But if the label doesn't clearly say who made it, it's assumed the manufacturer is responsible. Importers need to be careful because they might be held responsible for any problems with the product.

Exemptions Under LMPC Rules

• Small Quantity Exemption: Products weighing 10ml or 10gms or less do not require a legal metrology certificate.
• Bulk Agricultural Products: Agricultural items packed in quantities exceeding 50kgs are exempt.
• Fast Food Packaging: Packages containing fast food from restaurants or hotels are exempt.
• Authorized Drug Formulations: Packages authorized by the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995 are exempt.
• Bulk Goods Exception: Goods weighing more than 25 litres or 25 kgs are exempt, excluding fertilizers or cement sold in bags weighing up to 50 kgs.
• Institutional Consumers: Packaged goods meant for service institutions like railways, airlines, hospitals, and hotels are exempt.

• Legal Metrology Certificate Assistance: We can help you get the necessary certificates for your business, whether you're importing, manufacturing, or packaging products.
• Application Preparation and Model Approval Certificate: We'll guide you through the application process and ensure you have all the required documentation, including the Model Approval Certificate for products needing "Weights & Measures" certification.
• Dealership and Manufacturing License Issuance: We'll assist you in obtaining the licenses you need to operate legally, and we can also help with getting your products stamped appropriately.
• Legal Metrology and Weights & Measures Consultancy: We offer expert advice on laws and regulations related to Legal Metrology and Weights & Measures Certificates. We can even help you create MRP stickers that comply with these regulations.
• Director's Nomination Consultancy: If you need to nominate a director for your company as per Legal Metrology rules, we can provide guidance and assist in obtaining the necessary certificates.

These services are designed to streamline the legal processes involved in selling products and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.