GLOBAL SELLING BLOG
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts: Role
and importance
EPCH aims to increase the export of handicrafts from India by providing necessary infrastructure, marketing facilities and incentives to exporters. Here's a guide to understand its role and process to register with the council.
Handicrafts is one of the growing industries in India as an employment generator with a major share in exports. Known for preserving the country’s heritage and sustaining the skillful art of handmade products, handicrafts are loved across the world in international markets. To leverage this potential and expertise of artisans, the Government of India established a dedicated organization – Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). Like other export promotion councils of India, this one too works to promote handicrafts globally and support local artisans and MSMEs with new technologies, market intelligence and a reliable institutional framework.
What is Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH)?
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is a non-profit organization with an aim to increase the export of handicrafts from the country. To meet international standards and match the demand for handicrafts with reliable quality, the council provides necessary infrastructure, marketing facilities and incentives to exporters1.
Role and importance of EPCH in handicraft exports
• EPCH provides useful information and insights to its members that help them increase exports in the right international marketplaces.
• The council guides its members in areas of technology upgradation, quality standards required by importing countries, product specifications and marketing, among others.
• It organizes delegation meetings that allow members to approach international customers for business opportunities. It also helps exporters participate in international trade fairs of handicrafts and gifts, along with organizing the Indian Handicrafts Fair.
• EPCH acts as a bridge between exporters and government, facilitating exchange of ideas and concerns.
• The council actively organizes workshops and seminars to upskill the community and MSMEs and make them export-ready for international markets.
• EPCH keeps a track of industry insights and prepares reports related to export of handicrafts2.
• The council guides its members in areas of technology upgradation, quality standards required by importing countries, product specifications and marketing, among others.
• It organizes delegation meetings that allow members to approach international customers for business opportunities. It also helps exporters participate in international trade fairs of handicrafts and gifts, along with organizing the Indian Handicrafts Fair.
• EPCH acts as a bridge between exporters and government, facilitating exchange of ideas and concerns.
• The council actively organizes workshops and seminars to upskill the community and MSMEs and make them export-ready for international markets.
• EPCH keeps a track of industry insights and prepares reports related to export of handicrafts2.
Documents required for EPCH membership
To apply for a new membership with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, following are the required documents3:
1. Self-attested copy of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by DGFT
2. Self-attested copy of MSME UDYAM certificate certifying the type of handicraft products being manufactured (if the company is a manufacturer-exporter)
3. Bank details of the export business account
4. Copy of partnership deed (if the company is a partnership firm)
5. Attested copy of the list of partners mentioned on the letterhead of the company (if the company is a partnership firm)
6. A photocopy of certificate of incorporation (Memorandum of Article of Association) and resolution deed regarding the signing authority (if the company is a private limited or a limited firm)
7. Copy of Export House Certificate
8. A copy of GSTIN number
9. Demand draft issued as registration fee in favor of EPCH
1. Self-attested copy of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by DGFT
2. Self-attested copy of MSME UDYAM certificate certifying the type of handicraft products being manufactured (if the company is a manufacturer-exporter)
3. Bank details of the export business account
4. Copy of partnership deed (if the company is a partnership firm)
5. Attested copy of the list of partners mentioned on the letterhead of the company (if the company is a partnership firm)
6. A photocopy of certificate of incorporation (Memorandum of Article of Association) and resolution deed regarding the signing authority (if the company is a private limited or a limited firm)
7. Copy of Export House Certificate
8. A copy of GSTIN number
9. Demand draft issued as registration fee in favor of EPCH
Application process for RCMC from EPCH
RCMC stands for Registration cum Membership Certificate – an important document given by various EPCs. As an exporter, you can become a member of the council by applying for RCMC, issued as per the Foreign Trade Policy. Following are the steps to apply for RCMC4:
• On the official website of DGFT, login in with your username and password. If you do not already have a username or password, you can create an account.
• Navigate to Services > e-RCMC.
• Click on ‘Apply for e-RCMC’.
• Click on Start Fresh Application or choose to complete your draft application by clicking on Proceed with Existing Application.
• Under RCMC Details section, you have to:
- Select Export Promotion Council/Commodity Board and fee details.
- Add all the details in the form.
- Click the checkbox at the end as acceptance of terms and conditions. Click on Save and next.
• Check the preview of your application and click on sign.
• Proceed to the payment gateway for e-payment for the RCMC application fee.
Post this, you can collect the e-payment receipt and track your submitted application status on the dashboard.
• On the official website of DGFT, login in with your username and password. If you do not already have a username or password, you can create an account.
• Navigate to Services > e-RCMC.
• Click on ‘Apply for e-RCMC’.
• Click on Start Fresh Application or choose to complete your draft application by clicking on Proceed with Existing Application.
• Under RCMC Details section, you have to:
- Select Export Promotion Council/Commodity Board and fee details.
- Add all the details in the form.
- Click the checkbox at the end as acceptance of terms and conditions. Click on Save and next.
• Check the preview of your application and click on sign.
• Proceed to the payment gateway for e-payment for the RCMC application fee.
Post this, you can collect the e-payment receipt and track your submitted application status on the dashboard.
Easy handicraft exports with Amazon Global Selling
With the rising demand for Indian handicrafts in the world, Indian sellers can expand their business and benefit from this demand. With e-commerce exports, the process of selling internationally has become easy and seamless.
Amazon Global Selling enables Indian exporters to sell their handicraft, home décor and other locally made products in 18+ international marketplaces. Starting a handicrafts export business from India can be done in 4 steps with support at every stage of the export journey.
Amazon Global Selling enables Indian exporters to sell their handicraft, home décor and other locally made products in 18+ international marketplaces. Starting a handicrafts export business from India can be done in 4 steps with support at every stage of the export journey.
More blogs on Export Promotion Councils
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any option to apply for membership online as well as offline?
Yes. You can apply for EPCH membership online via its web portal. To apply offline, you can collect an application form from EPCH New Delhi and other regional offices.
When does the annual membership subscription need to be renewed?
The annual membership subscription expires on the 1st of April every year.
How much time does it take to approve the application for membership of the council?
After the application is submitted with supporting documents, membership and Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is usually issued in 30 days.
Published on May 17, 2022.
Sources:
1. https://www.epch.in/
2. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=177
3. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=193
4. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=237
5. https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/e-RCMC%20User%20Guide%20for%20Exporters.pdf
6. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=187
7. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=190
Sources:
1. https://www.epch.in/
2. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=177
3. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=193
4. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=237
5. https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/e-RCMC%20User%20Guide%20for%20Exporters.pdf
6. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=187
7. https://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=190
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*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
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