RCMC Registration Services

RCMC certificates are typically valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. For most Export Promotion Councils including FIEO, APEDA, EEPC India, and Pharmexcil, the validity is 5 years. Annual membership fees must be paid before the due date each year to keep the certificate active. Some commodity boards may have different validity cycles, so check with your specific council.

FIEO: ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 based on export turnover slabs. APEDA: ₹5,000 registration fee plus ₹3,000 annual subscription. EEPC India: ₹10,000 entrance fee plus ₹5,000-₹15,000 annual subscription. Pharmexcil: ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 based on turnover. TEXPROCIL/AEPC: ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 based on membership category. Manufacturer exporters may have different fee structures than merchant exporters. All fees are paid through the DGFT unified portal.

Standard RCMC processing takes 30 to 60 days from complete application submission. The DGFT e-RCMC portal processes applications after document verification and fee confirmation. Expedited processing is available for some councils with additional charges. We recommend applying 45-60 days before you need the certificate for export shipments to avoid delays.

An RCMC is mandatory if you want to claim export incentives (such as RoDTEP, Advance Authorisation, or EPCG benefits), export restricted/prohibited items, or register with specific overseas government buyers. It is not strictly mandatory to physically ship basic products from India if you do not claim government incentives. However, having an RCMC significantly enhances your credibility and unlocks numerous benefits.

If your export portfolio covers multiple product categories, register with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) as the primary umbrella council. FIEO acts as the multi-product council covering all categories. However, if specific products fall under specialized councils (e.g., agricultural items under APEDA, engineering under EEPC), you may need dual registration. We analyze your HS codes to determine the optimal council combination for cost-effective compliance.

Manufacturer Exporter: Owns and operates their own manufacturing facility and exports goods they produce. Must submit factory license, MSME Udyam Registration, or Industrial License. Merchant Exporter: Does not run a factory; instead, they source products from domestic producers to sell internationally. Must provide supplier agreements and purchase orders. RCMCs are issued for both classifications with different documentation requirements. Fee structures may also vary slightly.

Yes. If you expand your business to include new products, you can file a modification request on the DGFT e-RCMC portal. This request adds the new HS Codes to your active RCMC profile. Processing takes 15-30 days. If the new products fall under a different council's jurisdiction (e.g., moving from engineering goods to agricultural products), you may need to register with that specific council as well or update your FIEO membership.

Mandatory for all: (1) Active IEC certificate, (2) Company PAN card, (3) Corporate incorporation papers (MOA/AOA/Partnership Deed), (4) Product list with 8-digit HS codes, (5) Class 3 DSC or Aadhaar OTP. For Manufacturers: Factory License, MSME Udyam Registration, or Industrial License. For Merchants: Supplier agreements, purchase orders from domestic suppliers. Additional: Bank certificate, address proof, and manufacturer authorization letter if applicable.

RCMC renewal must be initiated 30-45 days before expiry. Log into the DGFT e-RCMC portal, navigate to the renewal section, pay the annual membership fees for your council, and upload any updated documents. The renewed certificate is typically issued within 15-20 days. Late renewal may attract penalty fees and temporary suspension of export benefits. We recommend setting calendar reminders 45 days before expiry.

RCMC enables access to numerous government schemes: (1) RoDTEP - Rebate of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products, (2) Advance Authorisation - duty-free imports for export production, (3) EPCG - Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme for machinery imports, (4) Duty Drawback - refund of customs duties, (5) FTA Benefits - preferential tariff rates, (6) Market Development Assistance - subsidies for international marketing, (7) Export Insurance - coverage through ECGC, (8) Trade Fair Participation - subsidized booth rates.

Previously, exporters applied directly on individual council websites (FIEO, APEDA, EEPC separately). The Ministry of Commerce has now unified the system into the centralized DGFT e-RCMC portal. All applications, renewals, and modifications must be submitted through this single platform using your linked IEC and Class 3 DSC. This streamlined approach reduces duplication and ensures standardized processing across all councils.