Shop & Establishment
Register under state Shops & Establishments Act for legal employment and commercial operations.
Shop and Establishment registration (also known as Gumasta licence in Maharashtra, Ghumasta in Karnataka) is mandatory under state-specific Shops and Establishments Acts for all commercial establishments employing workers, including shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, and warehouses. Registration must be obtained within 30 days of commencing business or hiring the first employee. The certificate serves as proof of business existence for bank accounts, GST registration, and labour law compliance. Complianceer handles state portal filings across all major states with correct establishment categorisation.
At a glance
- Timeline: 3–10 working days
- Government fee: ₹100–₹5,000 (varies by state and number of employees)
- Professional fee: Starting from ₹1,499
Who needs this
- Restaurants and hotels employing kitchen and service staff
- Retail stores and supermarkets with employees
- Offices, warehouses, and commercial establishments with workers
- Businesses required to show establishment proof for bank KYC
- Any commercial entity hiring even one employee under the Shops Act
Benefits
- Legal compliance with state labour and employment regulations
- Required document for opening business current account at most banks
- Foundation for PF, ESI, and professional tax registrations
- Protects employer during labour inspections and disputes
- Mandatory prerequisite for trade licence in several states
Eligibility
- All shops, commercial establishments, restaurants, hotels, and offices must register
- Registration required within 30 days of business commencement or first employee
- Applies regardless of number of employees (even single-employee establishments in most states)
- Home-based businesses with employees may require registration depending on state rules
Documents
- Application form (state-specific: Form A or online equivalent)
- Identity proof of employer/proprietor/partners/directors
- Address proof of establishment
- Rent agreement and owner NOC for business premises
- PAN of business entity
- Details of employees (name, date of joining, designation)
- Partnership deed or COI (for firms and companies)
FAQs
Is Shop Act registration required without employees?
In most states, yes. The Act covers all commercial establishments regardless of employee count. Some states exempt establishments with no employees.
Shop Act vs trade licence: what is the difference?
Shop Act registration is under state labour department for employment regulation. Trade licence is municipal permission for commercial activity. Both are typically required.
What is Gumasta licence?
Gumasta is Maharashtra's Shop & Establishment registration under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act. The process and requirements are state-specific.