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Trade license in Kolkata (trade licence)

The trade licence fee for every business type in Kolkata, the documents and where to apply.

Fees last checked: 28 Oct 2026

The short answer

The trade licence fee for every business type in Kolkata, the documents and where to apply. Key facts: Issued by: Kolkata Municipal Corporation; Fee, retail shop: ₹60 to ₹20,000 (per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processing); Apply at: kmcgov.in.

Source: calcguru.in. Not yet matched to an official page; confirm on the official portal before paying.

Issued by
Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Fee, retail shop
₹60 to ₹20,000
per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processing
Apply at
kmcgov.in

Fee for a retail shop Not officially verified Source

What it is and who needs it

A trade licence is permission from your city to run a trade or business at your premises. In Kolkata it comes from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Required for every trade in KMC area under s.199 of the KMC Act, 1980.

Depends on the city and trade. See the Metro Guide for each city's rules.

Official fee by business

The fee depends on the type of business. Some fees also depend on size or seats.

BusinessLicenceOfficial feeTime
Restaurant or CaféCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹2,800 + ₹2,000per year for an unstarred eatery plus solid waste charge (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Cloud KitchenCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹2,800 + ₹2,000per year for an unstarred eatery plus solid waste charge (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Bakery or Sweet ShopCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹2,800 + ₹2,000per year for an unstarred eatery plus solid waste charge (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Home Food or Tiffin BusinessCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Catering BusinessCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹2,800 + ₹2,000per year for an unstarred eatery plus solid waste charge (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Grocery or Kirana StoreCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹2,800 + ₹2,000per year for an unstarred eatery plus solid waste charge (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Retail ShopCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Pharmacy or Medical StoreCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Online Selling BusinessCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Salon or Beauty ParlourCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Gym or Fitness StudioCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
ClinicCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Coaching or Tuition CentreCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Office or AgencyCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days
Import Export BusinessCertificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processingNot officially verified SourceOnline, real time; law allows up to 30 days

Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay.

Documents to keep ready

  • Photo ID of the owner
  • Property tax receipt, plus rent agreement or owner's NOC
  • PAN
  • Incorporation certificate or partnership deed, if not a proprietor

Steps to apply

  1. Collect the documents listed here.
  2. Apply online at kmcgov.in.
  3. Pay the official fee: the fee for your business type from the table above.
  4. Wait for the result. Usual time: Online, real time; law allows up to 30 days.
  5. Keep the certificate safe. Validity: Choose 1, 3, 5 or 15 years.

Where to apply

Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Official portal: kmcgov.in.

After you apply

What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.

Track your application

Typical time

Online, real time; law allows up to 30 days

Not officially verified

If you operate without it

Running a trade that needs a municipal licence without one can lead to a fine, a closure or sealing of the shop under the city's municipal law. The amount differs by city, so we do not show one here.

Law: The municipal corporation or municipality Act and trade licence by-laws of your city

Not officially verified

Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them

ReasonHow to fix it
Premises proof or landlord NOC is missingAttach the rent agreement with a landlord NOC, or the property tax receipt if you own the place.
The shop is in a zone where this trade is not allowedAsk the municipal office which zones allow the trade. Move to an allowed place or apply for a change of use.
Property tax or earlier dues are unpaidClear the dues, keep the receipt and apply again.
FSSAI, fire NOC or another required certificate is not attachedGet the other certificate first, then upload it with the trade licence application.
Details in the form do not match the documentsCheck name, address and trade type against your ID and premises papers and correct the form.

Not officially verified

Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.

Free formats you may need

Printable samples you can copy, fill in and print. Each is only a sample, so check it with the issuing office.

Landlord NOC

A letter from the owner of a shop or office saying the tenant may run a business there.

Free format

Self-declaration (trade licence)

A short signed statement by the applicant that the details in the trade licence application are true and the business will follow the rules.

Free format

Affidavit (trade licence)

A sworn statement made before a notary, used by some municipal offices as proof that the premises and details in a trade licence application are true.

Free format

Partnership consent letter

A letter signed by all partners of a firm saying one partner may apply for, sign for and hold a licence on behalf of the firm.

Free format

Rent agreement

An 11 month agreement between the owner and the tenant of a house or flat that sets out the rent, deposit, notice period and rules of stay.

Free format

Shop or office lease agreement

A lease between the owner of a shop, office or godown and a business tenant, with the rent, deposit, yearly increase, lock in and notice terms.

Free format

All free formats

Common questions

Do I need a trade licence in Kolkata?
Yes, for most businesses. Required for every trade in KMC area under s.199 of the KMC Act, 1980. It is issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
How much is a trade licence in Kolkata?
For a retail shop the official fee is ₹60 to ₹20,000 (per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processing). This figure is not yet matched to an official page, so it is not officially verified. Fees for other businesses are in the table above.
Where do I apply for a trade licence in Kolkata?
On the official portal at kmcgov.in.
How long does a trade licence take in Kolkata?
Online, real time; law allows up to 30 days. Validity: Choose 1, 3, 5 or 15 years.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.
Who issues the trade licence in Kolkata?
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) issues it as a Certificate of Enlistment. A trade licence is required for every trade in the KMC area under section 199 of the KMC Act, 1980.
How do I apply for a trade licence in Kolkata online?
Apply at kmcgov.in. The guide shows the process as online and in real time, and the law allows up to 30 days.
What is the trade licence fee in Kolkata for a restaurant?
The guide shows ₹2,800 + ₹2,000 a year for an unstarred eatery, plus a solid waste charge and ₹50 processing (2024-25 chart). This is not yet matched to an official page, so confirm on the official portal before paying.
What is the range of the KMC trade licence fee?
For a retail shop the guide shows ₹60 to ₹20,000 a year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processing. It is not yet matched to an official page.

Business guides for Kolkata

Each guide lists every licence the business needs in Kolkata, including the trade licence.

Restaurant or Café Cloud Kitchen Bakery or Sweet Shop Home Food or Tiffin Business Catering Business Grocery or Kirana Store Retail Shop Pharmacy or Medical Store Online Selling Business Salon or Beauty Parlour Gym or Fitness Studio Clinic Coaching or Tuition Centre Office or Agency Import Export Business
Licences and documents in West Bengal Shops and Establishments in West Bengal Professional tax in West Bengal Fire NOC in West Bengal Trade licence in other cities

Your next step

Food license in Kolkata (FSSAI registration)

After that:

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