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What is Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) and why is it important?

RCMC is a certificate that validates that an exporter has registered with a certain Export promotion Council (EPC) and is exporting products from India. Here’s a guide to understand what is RCMC and how to apply for it online.

Export Promotion Councils are set up by the Government of India to assist Indian exporters in expanding their businesses to the international markets. The main role of a council is to promote the product category that it handles and support exporters in that industry. These EPCs provide Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) to exporters so they can benefit from various schemes and assistance provided by these authorities. An exporter who wants to obtain an RCMC has to declare the business in the application form submitted to the respective EPC. For instance, a handicraft exporter must follow the process and submit the application to the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

What is Registration Cum Membership Certificate?

An exporter can become a member of any of the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), post which, an RCMC is granted by the EPC. To register as a manufacturer or exporter, the applicant must submit all the required documents as mandated by the EPC. With the increasing use of internet and technology, most EPCs have now made this process paperless and online. An RCMC is usually issued by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), respective Export Promotion Councils (EPC) or Commodity Boards. These organizations work for the promotion and development of different export businesses across varied product categories. This certificate signifies that the holder is registered with the respective EPC or FIEO¹.

Why is RCMC required?

As an exporter, obtaining an RCMC will benefit your business in many ways²:

• Authorization to export or import restricted items
• Ability to claim various benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy
• Benefits offered by the customs department and central excise authorities
• Export two or more products that fall under different categories
• Ability to claim export incentives and subsidies under schemes like Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), Rebate of State and Central taxes & Levies (RoSCTL), Remission of Duties & Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Service Export from India Scheme (SEIS)
• Letter of Undertaking (LUT) under GST for export of goods without payment of duty
• Benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP)

Gold Card Scheme for exporters: Objectives, eligibility and benefits

List of Export Promotional Councils that provide RCMC

RCMC is issued to exporters by registering authorities under Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) like Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards and Export Development Authorities. Some of the export councils that provide RCMC are:

• Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC)
• Cashew Export Promotion Council of India
• Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL)
• Coffee Board of India
• Electronic and Computer Software Export Promotion
• Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
• Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) • Handloom Export Promotion Council
• Handicrafts and Handloom Export Corporation
• Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms
• Rubber Board
• Spices Board of India
• Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council
• Tea Board of India
• Wool and Woolens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC)

Documents required for RCMC

While each EPC needs a different set of documents to apply for RCMC, there are some common requirements for exporters³:

• Duly filled and signed RCMC application form of the particular export council
• IEC
• Permanent Account Number (PAN)
• Membership fee payment receipt of the respective export council
• Self-certified copy of the company’s partnership deed
• Self-Certified copy of the certificate that is issued by the Registrar of Companies
• Last three years Services Export Data certified by Chartered Accountant (CA) of the company
• GST registration certificate

Easy e-commerce exports with Amazon
Global Selling

As an e-commerce exports program, Amazon Global Selling enables Indian sellers and MSMEs to take their products from India to international marketplaces across 200+ countries and territories in a seamless and easy manner. Without having to set up a physical store or warehouse abroad, Amazon’s simple registration process and hassle-free logistic support helps you reach global customers. Here’s the export procedure to sell via e-commerce:

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. All you’ll need are KYC documents and PAN.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues RCMC to exporters?

The Commodities Board, Export Promotional Councils and FIEO can issue RCMC.

What is the cost of RCMC in India?

The membership fee for RCMC varies between EPCs.

Published on May 24, 2022.

Sources:
1. https://mpeda.gov.in/?page_id=962
2. https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/e-RCMC%20User%20Guide%20for%20Exporters.pdf
3. https://www.fieo.org/view_section.php%3Fid%3D0,31,32
4. https://epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=187#:~:text=The%20RCMC%20can%20be%20obtained,5900%2F%2D)..

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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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