Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)
The Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is issued to Indian exporters by the Export Promotion Council (EPC) or Commodity Boards so exporters can benefit from various schemes.
Learn about the eligibility criteria, how to register on the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for the various incentives and the relevant authorities and trade bodies for your business.
What is RCMC?
A Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a document enabling your export business to claim benefits, incentives and support measures provided by the government and trade agencies. It also authorises your business to import and export restricted products.
The certificate lasts five financial years and is issued by a relevant registering authority, which could be the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO), an Export Promotion Council (EPC) or a Commodity Board related to your industry, or a Development Authority.
While the certificate isn't a mandatory requirement to run an exporting business, having a certificate comes with its benefits. Let's look at why you should apply for the RCMC, the online registration process, membership fees and more.
Why is the RCMC required?
Primarily, the RCMC registration allows your business to import or export restricted materials from the extensive list under India's Foreign Trade Policy (FTP).
It's also a proof of your membership or registration with trade organisations, which will help you when applying for an export license. Most importantly, this certificate is a requirement when applying for government benefits offered for export businesses as you trade globally.
Benefits of the RCMC
The RCMC allows you to gain the following benefits:
- Access to government export benefits and schemes - You'll need the certificate to apply for schemes to gain incentives and benefits available for exporters, such as the Duty Drawback scheme, the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme, and the Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme.
- Ease your import and export activities - The certificate validates your business and products as having the approval for exporting restricted goods.
- Faster customs clearance - As it proves your business is a member of an EPC or commodities board and complies with regulations, the certificate reduces the time and effort to get your goods through customs.
- Enhances your credibility - The RCMC shows that your business complies with government regulations and standards. As a growing export business, the certificate could help demonstrate your commitment to the international trade standards your industry sets.
- Better access to information - The EPCs and Commodity Boards offer market intelligence. These organisations also host export promotional activities such as trade fairs and expos. You'll be able to take advantage of these offerings as a member.
Required documents for RCMC
To apply for this certificate, you will need to submit a filled ANF-2C application form along with the following:
- Your Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
- A copy of your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card from the Income Tax Department
- Your receipt for the membership fee from the registering authority
- Your Memorandum of Association, if your business is registered as a corporate, institutional, private limited or limited company
- A copy of your company's partnership deed, if necessary
- The trust deed, if you run a trust, institution or a corporate entity
- A copy of your certificate for your business from the Registrar of Companies if you've registered an office change
- Your business foreign exchange earnings for the last 3 years, certified by a Chartered Accountant
- A resolution from your board of directors or the power of attorney granting you signing authority, if it isn't mentioned in any other document above
- A Goods and Services Tax or GST registration certificate
Who is eligible for RCMC registration online
You can apply for the certificate online if your business meets these requirements:
- Merchandiser (merchant) or exporter - If you're a merchandiser or exporter, you'll need to confirm that your business deals with imports and exports before applying for this certificate. This confirmation is also a key requirement when you've applied for an IEC from the DGFT.
- Business main line declaration - You'll need to declare your main line of business to determine which is the relevant registering authority. For example, if you're exporting leather and leather products, you'd want to register with the Council for Leather Exports.
- Consent from the board of the FIEO - If there's no specialised board available for what your business is exporting, you'll have to apply for your certificate and get clearance or board permission from the FIEO, which will be responsible for approving your registration.
List of Export Promotional Councils that issue RCMC
There are 27 export promotion councils, 6 commodity boards and 2 development authorities responsible for issuing the certificate, as listed below.
Export Promotion Councils:
- Apparel EPC (AEPC)
- Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics EPC (CHEMEXCIL)
- Carpet (CEPC)
- Chemicals and Allied Products (CAPEXIL)
- Council for Leather Exports (CLE)
- Electronics and Computer Software (ESC)
- Engineering (EEPC)
- Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)
- Gems and Jewellery (GJEPC)
- Handloom (HEPC)
- Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation (HHEC)
- Indian Oilseeds and Produce (IOPEPC)
- Indian Silk (ISEPC)
- Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL)
- Plastics (PLEXCONCIL)
- Project Exports Promotion Council (PEPC)
- Services (SEPC)
- Shellac (SPEC)
- Sports Goods (SGEPC)
- Synthetic and Rayon Textiles (SRTEPC)
- Wool and Woollens (WWEPC)
- The Cotton Textiles (TEXPROCIL)
Commodity Boards
- Coir Board
- Coffee Board
- Rubber Board
- Spices Board
- Tea Board of India
- Tobacco Board
Development Authorities
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
