GLOBAL SELLING BLOG

Everything you need to know about Apparel Export Promotion Council

AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that provides assistance to Indian sellers and promotes the growth of exports in the industry. In this blog, learn more about the objective of the body and registration process.

The apparel industry in India is globally known for its fine craftsmanship and tradition. One-of-its-kind designs on cotton, silk, and denim material are highly popular in the international marketplaces. This makes India the world’s 2nd largest exporter of apparel and textile with an extensive and growing manufacturing base¹. For the smooth functioning and growth of this industry in India, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) was established as the official body of apparel exporters.

What is the objective of Apparel Export
Promotion Council?

Apparel Export Promotion Council acts as a bridge between the government, Indian apparel exporters and international customers. From solving trade-related issues to introducing schemes and organizing trade fairs, the export promotion council ensures the industry flourishes in India. With its vision to empower the Indian apparel exporters, the council strives to improve the global positioning of the industry in a sustainable and holistic way.

Apparel Export Promotion Council also organizes India International Garment Fair twice a year that allows more than 300 exhibitors to display their products and unique apparel². Over 575 international buyers from 65 countries visited the fair during the three days in January 2020.

Below are some of the objectives of Apparel Export Promotion Council:

• To undertake market research and provide inputs on foreign trade policies, budgets and regulations of apparel importing countries. It also provides help in marketing aboard, and conducts export-related surveys to gather insightful data.

• To assist AEPC members in understanding export license applications and compliance for easy exports from India.

• Apparel Export Promotion Council aims to promote Indian apparel exporters in international markets and create awareness about various types of garments manufactured in India.

• To support innovation and evolution for high quality product manufacturing. It aims to ensure the quality of fabric exported meets the international standards.

• To update its members about action plans, promotion of exports, new targets for exports to a particular country and execution of those strategies.

Documents required to become a member of AEPC

To be a member of AEPC, the following documents are required:

• An application form must be downloaded from the official website of AEPC (www.aepcindia.com)
• A self-attested copy of IEC issued by DGFT
• Notarised non-judicial stamp paper
• A self-attested copy of Partnership deed and Certificate of Firm Registration
• A cheque/demand draft in favor of AEPC

If the exporter wants to be registered as manufacturer-exporter, then evidence of being a manufacturer must be provided with a self-attested copy of industrial or factory license.

In the case of an exporter manufacturing readymade garments, self-attested copy of the factory license issued by the particular state government, Employee State Insurance Certificate issued by concerned authorities and Employees Provident Fund Registration Certificate issued by the concerned Provident Fund Commissioner, along with the Certificate of Chartered Accountant must be submitted at the time of application.

AEPC also allows online registration for the Registration-Cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) and renewal of membership subscription to reduce manual paperwork and application processing time. Following are the facilities are given by the website of AEPC:

1) Online filing of RCMC
2) Tracking application status of RCMC
3) Receive RCMC notifications by email
4) RCMC renewal
5) Faster processing of all transactions
6) 24/7 availability and accessibility of information

How to become a member of AEPC?

Any Indian apparel exporter is eligible to become a Registered Exporter of the Council if he matches the eligibility criteria of the council³. You can become a member of the Apparel Export Promotion Council by submitting the application online. Below is the process:

• Fill the Performa of application form by downloading it from the council’s website.
• Attach a demand draft of the necessary fees as an annual subscription for registration.
• Submit the following documents:
a) Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
b) Register-cum-membership certificate (RCMC) of the applicant
c) An Undertaking on non-judicial stamp paper duly notarized

Schemes available under AEPC

RoSCTL (Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies):
This scheme allows rebate of the Central and State Government taxes levied on garments or raw materials utilised in the manufacturing of export garments to enhance the competitiveness of export products.

ATUFS (Amended Technology Upgradation Func Scheme):
This scheme assists in investment, increasing productivity, quality, and employment in export and import of textile Industry. It facilitates investment in textile machinery manufacturing.

AA (Advance Authorization):
Under the Advance Authorization Scheme, member exporters are allowed duty-free import of the fabric that is utilised in making end products for export.

Zero Duty EPCG Scheme:
This scheme aims to facilitate the import of capital goods and quality services to enhance manufacturing quality of garments. Exporters can import machinery duty-free for manufacturing apparel under the zero-duty EPCG scheme.

Interest Equalisation Scheme (Pre and Post shipment Rupee Export Credit):
This scheme provides 3% interest on export credit for MSME sector⁴.

Easy apparel export with Amazon Global Selling

With the growing online shopping across the world, Indian apparel sellers have the opportunity to export from India via e-commerce and acquire millions of new customers globally. Amazon Global Selling is an e-commerce exports program that enables Indian apparel exporters to sell on 18+ international marketplaces in the USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, the UAE, Singapore and more. With millions of customers on Amazon globally, sellers can take their Indian apparel products to new regions from the comfort of them home with simple registration, easy product listing and hassle-free international shipping.

Register your business

First, you must register your export business with Amazon Global Selling. You don’t have to be an existing Amazon India seller. The registration can be done online on Seller Central. You’ll need the following documents to register:
• ID proof (Aadhar, driving license or passport)
• Business address proof (Bank statement)
• Credit or debit card (international transaction-enabled)

List your products

Once you have successfully registered to sell globally on Amazon, you can list your products. Remember to follow tips on how to list your products include attractive pictures and descriptions that’s clear to international customers. You can also seek help from third party service providers.

Ship and receive payments

Once a customer places an order, you can choose to deliver by yourself or you can opt for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Under FBA, Amazon takes care of shipping, delivery, returns and customer concerns. Once a customer purchases your product, Amazon credits the money in your bank account in the currency of your choice.

More blogs on Export Promotion Councils

1. 10 Export Promotion Councils of India you must know about

2. All you need to know about Cashew Export Promotion Council of India

3. What is the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES)?

4. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts: Role and importance

5. Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC): Steps to register

6. Plastic Export Promotion Council: How to become a member?

7. All you need to know about APEDA and its registration process

8. Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC): Benefits and registration process

9. How to become a member of the Carpet Export Promotion Council?

10. Indian Silk Export Promotion Council: Steps to register

11. All you need to know about Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council

12. All you need to know about Jute Products Development and Export Promotion Council

13. Everything you need to know about Handloom Export Promotion Council

14. Export Promotion Councils in India: Steps to register

15. Sports Goods Export Promotion Council: How to register?

16. Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL): How to register?

17. Everything you need to know about the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)

18. Council for Leather Exports: How to register?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Export Promotion Council?

Export Promotion Council is an official body responsible for the development and promotion of a particular export industry in the country. For instance, Apparel Export Promotion Council promotes Indian apparel to the world. Indian exporters get easy access to international markets with the help of EPCs, which also promote Indian products through various activities to increase the overall exports from India.

What are the Products covered by AEPC?

AEPC promotes and supports export of all types of readymade garments like Indian kurtis, denim shirts, pants, kidswear, etc., excluding woolen knitwear and garments of leather and jute.

What is an AEPC certificate?

AEPC issues an RCMC, which helps merchant exporters benefit from various schemes and relief measures granted by the government. It also gives access to important industry information and insights. AEPC also issues useful documents like Certificate of Origin and Export Performance Certificate (EPC) for duty-free import to the members.

Is the registration for RCMC in AEPC online?

Yes, RCMC for AEPC can be applied online.
- Enter your IEC number and business name
- Select the EPC name from the dropdown list
- In the next page, enter the required details and set a username and password for your account - Once the account is created, you can log in using the same credentials and apply for RCMC, by filling the RCMC application form.

The application can be submitted online and the status can be tracked using the same account.

Published on October 29, 2021.

Sources:
1. https://www.ibef.org/exports/apparel-industry-india.aspx
2. https://www.indiaapparelfair.com/
3. https://www.aepcindia.com/about-aepc
4. https://www.oecd.org/trade/topics/export-credits/

Indian Silk Export Promotion Council: Steps to register

All you need to know about the Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme (TMA Scheme)

Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL): How to register?

What is the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES)?

All you need to know about Cashew Export Promotion Council of India