MRP Labelling

India is one of the few countries that require MRP or Maximum Retail Price, to be displayed on every product sold in the country. Labels must contain information about the manufacturer or importer, display the date of packaging, expiry, and other details.

Labeling is an important element for products being exported to India. English is the favorable language for labeling. All packets or even containers should carry information depending upon the consignment. Indian Customs are strict and ensure that imported items have the legally required information before these enter the retail market or are sold for consumption, excluding those products that fall under the EOU segment.

If the net quantity of the imported package is given in any other unit, its equivalent of standard units must be declared by the importer, and Month and year of packing in which the commodity is manufactured, packed or imported, and the maximum retail sales price (MRP) at which the commodity in packaged form may be sold to the end consumer.

The MRP includes all taxes, freight transport charges, commission payable to dealers, and all charges towards advertising, delivery, packing, forwarding and the like. Compliance of the above-stated requirements has to be ensured before the import consignments are cleared by Customs in India.

The product label also has to contain the following:

  • The purpose of irradiation and license number in case of irradiated food.
  • Extraneous addition of coloring material.

All declarations may be:

  • Printed in English or Hindi on a label securely affixed to the package.
  • Made on an additional wrapper containing the imported package.
  • Printed on the package itself.
  • May be made on a card or tape affixed firmly to the package and bearing the required information prior to customs clearance.