Shop and Establishment Registration in West Bengal (2026): Who Needs It, Fees, Online Process, Renewal and 24×7 Rules
Every shop, office, restaurant and commercial establishment in West Bengal must register under the West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963 within 30 days of starting work. Registration is online, the fee is nominal and depends on the type of establishment and number of employees, and since a 2018 Labour Department notification registrations are deemed renewed without a renewal fee. Changes must be reported within 7 days and closure within 15 days. The state Budget 2026-27 also proposed amending the Act so that shops and establishments in Kolkata and major cities can operate 24×7. This guide covers who needs it, the process and the common mistakes we see in Kolkata.
West Bengal shop and establishment registration at a glance
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| Law | West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963 and Rules, 1964 |
| Who | Shops, offices, commercial establishments, restaurants, hotels, cinemas and places of entertainment |
| When | Within 30 days of starting business (Form B) |
| Where | Online, through the Labour Department’s shops portal or Silpasathi |
| Fee | Nominal, by type of establishment and number of employees, paid through GRIPS |
| Validity | Deemed renewed after expiry under Labour Department notification 175 (2018) |
| Changes | Report within 7 days (Form C) |
| Closure | Report within 15 days (Form E) |
Who needs registration
- Shops: retail and wholesale shops, showrooms and godowns.
- Commercial establishments: offices of companies, LLPs and firms, including a registered office with no staff, IT and service offices, banks’ private offices, and professional offices.
- Hospitality and entertainment: restaurants, cafés, hotels, cinemas and places of amusement.
- Home-based and co-working setups: if you run a business with employees from a flat or a co-working seat in Kolkata, Salt Lake or New Town, register the premises you actually work from.
Government offices, the RBI, railways, public utilities and some hospitals are outside the Act.
Documents for registration
- PAN of the business and the proprietor, partners or directors.
- Aadhaar and photograph of the employer.
- Proof of premises: rent agreement with the owner’s NOC, or ownership papers and a recent utility bill.
- Certificate of incorporation or partnership deed, for companies, LLPs and firms.
- Number of employees, with their names and designations.
- KMC trade licence (Certificate of Enlistment), if you are in Kolkata Municipal Corporation limits.
Step-by-step online process
- Create a login on the West Bengal Labour Department’s shops portal, or apply through Silpasathi, the state single window.
- Fill in Form B: name and address of the establishment, nature of business, date of starting, employer details, and employee count by gender.
- Upload the documents and pay the fee online through GRIPS.
- The Inspector or Assistant Labour Commissioner examines the application. Registration certificates are issued online.
- Download the certificate and display it at a conspicuous place in the premises.
Fees and renewal
The registration fee is small, set by the 1964 Rules according to whether it is a shop or a commercial establishment and how many people you employ. Most small offices pay a few hundred rupees or less. Under Labour Department notification No. Labr/175/IT&EoDB of late 2018, registrations are deemed renewed on expiry and the renewal fee was dispensed with. Some portals still show a renewal option; if yours does, check the current position before paying.
Changes, closure and records
- Change of address, name, employer or nature of business: file Form C within 7 days.
- Closure: file Form E within 15 days of winding up. This matters when you close a company or shift out of Bengal, because inspectors can still issue notices to a closed office.
- Registers and notices: keep attendance, wage and leave registers, and display working hours, weekly holidays and the certificate.
- Working hours and holidays: the Act regulates opening hours, a weekly closed day, overtime and leave. Night work by women employees needs the conditions and consent the state prescribes.
24×7 shops in Kolkata: what Budget 2026-27 proposed
The West Bengal Budget 2026-27, presented on 22 June 2026, proposed amending the 1963 Act so that shops and establishments in Kolkata and other major cities can stay open round the clock. Until the amendment is passed and notified, the current hours, weekly closure and overtime limits apply. When it comes, expect conditions on shifts, weekly rest, women employees at night, CCTV and transport. The same budget raised the profession tax exemption; see our guide to West Bengal professional tax slabs.
Do the new Labour Codes replace this registration?
No. The four central Labour Codes took effect on 21 November 2025, but registration of shops and commercial establishments remains under the state Act until West Bengal changes it. Keep your shop registration and your EPF, ESI and professional tax registrations up to date.
Common mistakes we see in Kolkata
- Registering the registered office but not the branch, warehouse or second office.
- Not filing Form C after shifting from Salt Lake to New Town, or after a director change.
- Taking a trade licence and assuming it covers shop registration. They are separate: the trade licence is municipal; shop registration is under the Labour Department.
- Not filing Form E after closing, and later receiving an inspection notice.
FAQs
Is shop and establishment registration mandatory in West Bengal?
Yes, for every shop and commercial establishment covered by the 1963 Act, within 30 days of starting business.
What is the fee for shop and establishment registration in West Bengal?
It is nominal and depends on whether you are a shop or commercial establishment and on the number of employees. It is paid online through GRIPS.
Do I need to renew my shop registration in West Bengal?
Under a 2018 Labour Department notification, registrations are deemed renewed after expiry without a renewal fee. If your portal asks for renewal, check before paying.
Is a trade licence the same as shop registration?
No. A trade licence (Certificate of Enlistment) is issued by KMC or the municipality; shop registration is issued by the Labour Department. Most Kolkata businesses need both.
Can my shop in Kolkata stay open 24 hours?
Not yet as a general rule. Budget 2026-27 proposed an amendment for 24×7 operation in Kolkata and major cities; it applies only once notified.
TAXAJ handles shop and establishment registration, trade licences, profession tax and payroll compliance for businesses across Kolkata. See our shop and establishment registration service or talk to our Kolkata team.
Last updated 11 November 2026. Sources: West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963 and the West Bengal Shops and Establishments Rules, 1964; West Bengal Labour Department notification No. Labr/175/IT&EoDB (2018) on deemed renewal and renewal fees; Labour Commissionerate ease-of-doing-business notices; West Bengal Budget 2026-27 coverage of 23 June 2026. General information only; check the current fee schedule on the Labour Department portal.
