RCMC registration gives an exporter a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate from an Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board or the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 it is the document that proves you are a recognised member of the council for your product, and it is needed to claim many export benefits. This page covers who issues it, how to apply on DGFT's e-RCMC platform, validity, fees and the mistakes that delay certificates.
What is an RCMC?
An RCMC is both a registration and a membership certificate. When you join an Export Promotion Council (EPC) for your product group, for example textiles, engineering goods, chemicals, handicrafts or processed food, the council examines your IEC, business proof and product details and issues an RCMC. It tells DGFT and other agencies that you are an established exporter of that product.
The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures require an RCMC from the relevant council for availing several policy benefits and for applying for certain authorisations. Where a product is not covered by any EPC, or an exporter deals in many unrelated products, FIEO can issue the certificate. Commodity Boards such as APEDA, Spices Board and others issue RCMC for their notified products; see APEDA registration and Spices Board registration.
A major change affects every applicant. From 1 April 2022, DGFT made it compulsory to file RCMC applications, renewals and amendments on its common digital platform, so councils process them through one system rather than each running separate forms. Several councils also moved their own forms onto it in stages, for example APEDA from July 2023.
The RCMC does not replace the import export code (IEC). The IEC comes first and identifies you to DGFT and customs; the RCMC follows and links you to a council.
Who needs an RCMC?
Not every exporter must hold an RCMC, but anyone who wants to claim policy benefits or apply for certain DGFT authorisations will be asked for one. You should consider it if you are:
- A manufacturer exporter who wants to use schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy
- A merchant exporter trading in a product covered by an export promotion council
- A multi-product exporter whose goods do not fit one council, who can approach FIEO
- An exporter of agricultural or processed food products, who deals with APEDA or another commodity board
- A startup or MSME planning to participate in council-supported buyer-seller meets and trade fairs
- A service exporter, where a relevant services council exists for your sector
Benefits of RCMC Registration
Access to Foreign Trade Policy benefits
Many benefits and authorisations under the Policy are linked to RCMC. Holding it keeps those options open when you need them.
Trade fair and buyer support
Councils organise delegations, fairs and buyer-seller meets. Membership usually gives you access to these programmes.
Market intelligence and advisory
Councils circulate trade enquiries, policy notices and country-specific information to members.
Recognition with banks and agencies
An RCMC supports your standing as an exporter when you deal with banks, customs and other authorities.
Single digital process
The e-RCMC platform lets you track the application and download the certificate online.
Eligibility
Eligibility is straightforward, but the council will ask for proof that you really deal in the product you want to be registered for.
- You must hold a valid IEC issued by DGFT
- You must be an exporter, or intend to export, a product covered by the council you apply to
- Manufacturers need to show proof of manufacturing, such as a factory licence, Udyam or GST details
- Merchant exporters need supporting documents showing the product they trade in
- Any required statutory registrations for the product, for example FSSAI for certain foods, may be asked for
- Membership fee must be paid as per the council's schedule
Documents required
Identity and registration
- IEC certificate
- PAN of the entity
- GST registration certificate
- Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed or proprietorship proof
- Identity proof of the authorised signatory
Business proof
- Udyam registration or factory licence for manufacturers (see MSME Udyam registration)
- Bank certificate or cancelled cheque of the current account
- Product details with HS codes
- Proof of address of the registered office
Council-specific
- Declaration or undertaking in the council's format
- Product-specific licences, such as FSSAI or BIS, where applicable
- Fee payment proof
- Previous RCMC copy for renewal
Step-by-step process
We follow this order so that the application reaches the correct council in one go.
Identify the right council
Match your main export product to its HS code and find the council or board responsible. Where no council covers it, FIEO is the usual route.
Confirm your IEC status
Check that the IEC is active and updated. A deactivated IEC blocks the application.
Log in to the DGFT e-RCMC platform
Use your DGFT login linked to the IEC, select the council and start a new application.
Fill product and business details
Enter the products, HS codes, turnover details if asked and branch or factory information.
Upload documents and pay the fee
Upload the documents above and pay the council's membership fee as shown on the platform.
Respond to council queries
The council may ask for additional proof or clarifications. Reply through the platform within the time given.
Download the RCMC
Once approved, download the digital certificate and keep the number for exports, banking and scheme applications.
Fees
RCMC fees are decided by each council, often based on the category of member or turnover, so there is no single government fee. The one verified example we have is APEDA.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| APEDA RCMC (new) | ₹5,900 | ₹5,000 plus 18% GST, as stated in APEDA's registration procedure document |
| APEDA RCMC renewal | ₹5,900 | Same as the new registration fee |
| APEDA RCMC amendment | Nil | Amendments are free as per APEDA's procedure |
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority.
How long does it take?
No uniform processing time is published for all councils. A complete application with correct documents is usually processed faster, while queries on product coverage or manufacturing proof add time. Treat any timeline quoted by a council as indicative.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Council identification and documents | Usually a day or two |
| Council scrutiny after e-RCMC submission | Varies by council and by queries |
Validity and renewal
An RCMC is valid for five years under the Policy provisions summarised in the sources reviewed, counted from the start of the licensing year, which is 1 April. Renewal must also be filed on the DGFT e-RCMC platform and councils may charge a renewal fee. Changes in name, address, constitution or product line should be notified to the council within one month, and amendments are done on the same platform. Do not wait for the last month before expiry, because a lapse can hold up scheme applications.
Compliance after approval
- Quote the RCMC number in export documents and scheme applications where required
- Notify the council of changes in name, address, constitution or products within one month
- Renew before expiry on the e-RCMC platform
- Keep the IEC active through its annual update
- Comply with any council-specific annual returns or export performance reporting
- Maintain product licences, such as FSSAI licence for food exports
Common mistakes and rejection reasons
Wrong council
Applying to a council that does not cover your HS code leads to rejection or transfer. Check the council's product list first.
Inactive IEC
A deactivated or outdated IEC prevents the application from proceeding.
Weak manufacturing proof
Manufacturers who upload only a trading GST certificate are asked for factory or Udyam evidence.
Mismatched names
Different spellings of the business name across IEC, GST and PAN cause queries.
Missing amendments
Changing address or constitution without amending the RCMC leaves the certificate showing outdated details.
Late renewal
Waiting until the certificate has lapsed delays benefit claims.
Penalties for non-compliance
There is no fine for simply not holding an RCMC, but without one you may not claim the policy benefits and authorisations that require it. Furnishing false information to DGFT or a council can lead to action under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Policy. We have not verified specific amounts for this page, so none are stated.
Practitioner tips
- Pick the council by HS code, not by industry label; two products from the same factory can sit under different councils.
- Where you export more than one product line, ask whether one council can register you for all of them, or whether FIEO makes more sense.
- Keep your IEC annual update done in April to June before applying for or renewing an RCMC.
- Ask the council for its fee schedule before applying, because some use turnover-based categories.
- Store the digital RCMC with the IEC and GST copies so scheme applications do not stall on missing documents.
How Lawgical Guru helps
Council selection
We map your products and HS codes to the correct council or board.
IEC health check
We confirm your IEC is active and updated before applying.
Document preparation
We check that names, addresses and product details match across documents.
e-RCMC filing
We file on the DGFT e-RCMC platform and track the application.
Query replies
We respond to council queries with the supporting documents they ask for.
Renewal and amendment reminders
We keep track of the validity period and changes that need amendment.
RCMC Registration: frequently asked questions
What is RCMC in export?
RCMC stands for Registration-cum-Membership Certificate. It is issued by an Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board or FIEO to exporters who register as members for their product. It is used to claim many benefits and authorisations under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Is RCMC mandatory for exporters?
You can export with an IEC alone, but many Foreign Trade Policy benefits and authorisations require an RCMC. If you plan to use such schemes, take it. We have not verified from DGFT text which individual schemes do or do not need it, so check the scheme you want.
How do I apply for RCMC online?
From 1 April 2022 applications, renewals and amendments must be filed on DGFT's e-RCMC common digital platform. You log in with your IEC, choose the council, enter product details, upload documents, pay the fee and track the application.
What is the RCMC fee?
Each council sets its own fee. For example, APEDA charges ₹5,000 plus GST, a total of ₹5,900. Other councils may charge based on category or turnover, so check the council's current schedule before applying.
How long is an RCMC valid?
An RCMC is valid for five years, counted from the start of the licensing year on 1 April. Renewal is also made on the DGFT e-RCMC platform. Changes in details should be notified to the council within one month.
Can I get RCMC without an IEC?
No. A valid IEC is a prerequisite, because the e-RCMC application is linked to your IEC. Get your IEC registration done and keep it updated first.
Which council should I join?
Join the council that covers your main export product, found through its HS code. Where no council covers your product or you export many different products, FIEO is the usual alternative. Commodity boards handle their own notified products.
Can I hold RCMC from more than one council?
Yes, if you export products covered by different councils you may need separate registrations. Each council will ask for its own fee and product-related documents. Apply only for products you actually export.
What if my RCMC details change?
Notify the council of changes such as name, address, constitution or product line within one month and file an amendment on the e-RCMC platform. Some councils, like APEDA, do not charge for amendments.
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Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.