Export Promotion Councils and RCMC: Which Council to Join and Why It Matters

Once you have an Import Export Code, the next registration many exporters need is a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from an export promotion council or commodity board. It's needed to claim many benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy, and membership of the right council also brings market information, trade fairs and buyer contacts. This guide explains what an RCMC is and how to choose the right council.

What an RCMC Is

An RCMC is a certificate showing that an exporter is registered with, and a member of, an export promotion council (EPC) or commodity board recognised under the Foreign Trade Policy. Councils are organised by product group, such as engineering goods, apparel, chemicals or gems and jewellery, and commodity boards cover products such as tea, coffee, spices and rubber.

Why It Matters

• Foreign Trade Policy benefits: many schemes and authorisations require a valid RCMC.
• Market access: councils run trade fairs, buyer-seller meets and overseas delegations, often with support for participation costs.
• Information and advocacy: councils share market intelligence and represent exporters' concerns to the government.
• Credibility: some buyers and banks see council membership as a sign of an established exporter.

Which Council to Join

Choose the council for your main export product:

• Engineering goods: the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC India).
• Apparel: the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).
• Gems and jewellery: the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
• Chemicals, plastics, leather, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals, electronics and software, among others, each have their own council.
• Agricultural and processed foods: APEDA.
• Seafood: MPEDA.
• Tea, coffee, spices and rubber: the respective commodity boards.

If you export products across several groups, or don't fit a specific council, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) registers multi-product exporters. Service exporters have their own councils too.

How to Apply

RCMC applications are now made online through the DGFT's common digital platform, which routes the application to the chosen council. You usually need:

• Your IEC and the entity's PAN and incorporation documents.
• Details of your export products and, where applicable, past exports.
• Bank details and the authorised signatory's details.
• The council's membership fee.

The council reviews the application and issues the RCMC, which is valid for the period set under the Foreign Trade Policy procedures. Renew it before it expires, and update it when your details change.

After You Get It

• Keep the RCMC valid, since benefits claimed while it's lapsed can be questioned.
• Submit the export returns or information the council asks for.
• Use the council's events and services; that's a large part of the value.
• Update the council if your products, address or ownership change.

Common Mistakes

• Choosing a council that doesn't match the main export product.
• Letting the RCMC lapse before claiming a benefit.
• Assuming an RCMC is needed for every export, when it's mainly needed for Foreign Trade Policy benefits.

Getting Help

Think Filing helps exporters choose the right council, applies for and renews RCMCs, and keeps IEC and other export registrations current.

Sources

• Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures.
• DGFT guidance on the common digital platform for RCMC.