Free Sale Certificate Apostille and Attestation
MEA apostille and embassy attestation for free sale certificates and market standing certificates issued in India, for product registration of medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, food and other regulated goods abroad.
Free sale certificate apostille: quick answer
Free sale certificate apostille is the stamp the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) puts on your Indian free sale certificate so that it is accepted in Hague Convention countries. Before the MEA stage, commercial documents must be authenticated by a recognised Chamber of Commerce; the MEA then fixes the apostille for a government fee of ₹50 per document.
Exporting to or doing business in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or another country outside the Hague Convention? Then you need Free sale certificate attestation instead: Chamber of Commerce, MEA attestation and legalisation by that country’s embassy in New Delhi.
We arrange FSC apostille from start to finish for businesses in every State. Share a photo of the free sale certificate on WhatsApp with the country name, and we confirm the route and price in writing.
Why a free sale certificate needs apostille or attestation
A free sale certificate (FSC) confirms that a product is legally manufactured and freely sold in India. Foreign regulators ask for it before registering an imported medicine, cosmetic, medical device, food supplement or similar product, because it shows that the product is already approved in its home market. For medicines and cosmetics it is issued by the State Drug Controller or CDSCO; other products have their own competent authorities.
Registration authorities in the Gulf, Africa, Latin America and Asia normally want the FSC legalised. Hague countries accept the MEA apostille; the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries need MEA attestation and their embassy’s legalisation.
Medicines
Registration of pharmaceutical products.
Cosmetics
Import approvals for cosmetics abroad.
Medical devices
Device registrations with foreign regulators.
Food and supplements
Products that need home-market proof.
Free sale certificate apostille: step-by-step process
Same chamber step, different finish: the country of use decides.
Apostille for Hague Convention countries
- 1Notary (where needed)The free sale certificate is notarised where the document requires it.
- 2Chamber of CommerceChamber of Commerce attestation, as the MEA requires for commercial papers.
- 3MEA apostilleThe MEA fixes the apostille sticker (₹50 government fee per document).
Hague Convention countries
Full member list: HCCH Apostille Convention status table
Attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries
- 1NotarySame first step as the apostille.
- 2Chamber of CommerceSame Chamber of Commerce step.
- 3MEA attestationMEA attestation instead of the apostille sticker.
- 4Embassy legalisationEmbassy stamp for the country where the free sale certificate will be used.
Non-Hague countries
Documents required for Free sale certificate attestation
- Original free sale or market standing certificate issued by the regulator, listing the products
- GMP certificate or COPP, if the same registration needs them
- Our authorisation letter format, signed on your letterhead
- Copy of the signatory’s ID
- Country of use and purpose, so we pick the right route
Free sale certificate apostille charges and time
| Government fee at the MEA | ₹50 for each apostilled document |
|---|---|
| Chamber of Commerce attestation | As charged by the chamber |
| Our service charge for a free sale certificate | Written quote, per document |
| Embassy route (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait…) | Embassy fees differ by country |
| Courier and time | Courier extra; expected date stated in the quote |
Every page set that is signed as one document counts once; separate documents and extra copies count separately. See also our commercial document apostille page.
Tips before sending your free sale certificate
- Make sure every product you plan to register is listed on the FSC by its exact name and strength.
- FSCs usually carry a validity period; plan the legalisation before it expires.
- Many regulators want the FSC, GMP certificate and CoA as one consistent set.
Official links for free sale certificate apostille and attestation
These are the official sources behind the process described on this page:
FAQs: Free sale certificate apostille and attestation
How do I get a free sale certificate apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs?
Three things happen: notarisation if the document needs it, Chamber of Commerce attestation and the MEA apostille. You only send us the original free sale certificate; we manage the rest and return it stamped.
What are the charges for Free sale certificate apostille?
The MEA charges a government fee of ₹50 per document for an apostille. The Chamber of Commerce charges its own fee, and our service charge depends on the document; we give the total in writing before you send anything. Embassy attestation is quoted per country.
Who issues a free sale certificate in India?
For medicines and cosmetics, the State Drug Controller or CDSCO issues it; other regulated products have their own competent authorities. The certificate confirms the product is legally sold in India.
What documents are required for Free sale certificate attestation?
We need the original free sale certificate with the company seal and signature, an authorisation letter from the company and an ID copy of the authorised person. Please also tell us where and why the document will be used.
What is the process for Free sale certificate attestation for the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait?
Chamber of Commerce, MEA attestation and then the embassy: that is the route for the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The UAE also requires its own ministry stamp in the UAE.
Can one FSC cover several products?
Yes, if the regulator lists them. It is then legalised once as a single document.
How long does Free sale certificate apostille take?
It varies with the chamber, the MEA and the embassy if one is involved. We tell you the expected date before you courier the free sale certificate and message you as each stamp is done.
Apostille or attestation: which one does my free sale certificate need?
Look at the destination. A Hague Convention member (for example Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Italy or Japan) accepts the apostille. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and China need attestation and the embassy stamp.
Does an FSC need embassy attestation for the UAE?
Generally yes for product registration: MEA attestation and UAE embassy legalisation, followed by the UAE ministry stamp.
Is INFINITYGRO genuine, and does someone from the company need to visit Delhi for the free sale certificate?
INFINITYGRO is a document facilitation agency in New Ashok Nagar, Delhi, working with exporters and companies across India. We give a written quote, explain each stamp and return originals by tracked courier, with WhatsApp updates at every stage. Nobody needs to visit; we do not offer pickup, so the free sale certificate is couriered to our office or dropped off. Call or WhatsApp +91-8595558517.
Send your free sale certificate for apostille or attestation
Message us a picture of the free sale certificate and say where it will be used. We confirm apostille or attestation, the documents and a written quote.
Office: C – 5 A/2 New Ashok Nagar, Delhi – 110096 · Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Apostille for other commercial documents
Disclaimer: INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government authority. Apostilles are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and embassy legalisation is done by the respective embassies. Procedures and fees change from time to time; please confirm current rules with the receiving authority.