Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)
Mandatory Registration to Avail Export Benefits under Foreign Trade Policy
What is RCMC and Who Issues It?
Key Information on RCMC
- Meaning: Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a mandatory registration for exporters under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP).
- Purpose: RCMC is required to avail benefits, incentives, and concessions provided under the Foreign Trade Policy.
- Key Benefits: Holding an RCMC enables exporters to claim various benefits related to Customs duty, Excise duty, and export promotion schemes.
- Issuing Authorities: The certificate is issued by the respective Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) or Commodity Boards. India has 26 Export Promotion Councils and 9 Commodity Boards.
- FIEO: The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) issues RCMC for exporters dealing in multiple products or services.
- Exemption: Certain organizations or institutions that are exempted from obtaining an export-import license may not be required to obtain an RCMC.
Advantages of Obtaining RCMC
Export Facilitation:
- Export Benefits: Allows the exporter to claim specific export benefits and incentives provided under the FTP.
- Global Network: Assists in establishing international connections and provides the benefit of the global community.
- Market Research: Enables the exporter to conduct targeted product research through the EPCs.
- Opportunities: Opens up international market possibilities and advantages specific to the Export Promotion Council.
Documents Required for RCMC Registration
Registration Checklist:
- IEC Number (Import Export Code) of the exporter.
- PAN Card of the entity.
- GST Registration Certificate.
- FSSAI License or Trade License (where applicable).
- Governing Document: MOA/AOA (Pvt/Ltd Co.), Partnership Deed (Firms/LLP), or Trust Deeds (Trusts).
- Registration Certificate: Certificate of registered officer issued by the Registrar of Companies/Firms.
Simple & Transparent Pricing for Rcmc Registration
Scale your features as your business grows. Find the plan that fits your needs today.
Basic Plan
GOVERNMENT FEES PLUS Rs 1180
- Government fees depending upon years of membership to be availed.
Standard Plan
GOVERNMENT FEES PLUS Rs 1180
- Government fees depending upon years of membership to be availed.
Premium Plan
GOVERNMENT FEES PLUS Rs 1180
- Government fees depending upon years of membership to be availed.
FAQ's on RCMC
Your Questions Answered
What is the RCMC and is it mandatory for all Indian exporters?
The RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) is a certificate issued by an Export Promotion Council (EPC) or Commodity Board. It is mandatory for exporters who wish to avail themselves of benefits and incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), such as Duty Drawback or the RoDTEP Scheme.
Which authority issues the RCMC to an exporter?
The RCMC is issued by the relevant Export Promotion Council (EPC), Commodity Board, or Development Authority based on the exporter's main line of business (e.g., APEDA for agricultural products, SEPC for service exporters).
What is the role of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) in RCMC issuance?
FIEO acts as the common EPC for exporters who deal in multiple products across different sectors, or whose primary product/service is not covered by any specific EPC or Commodity Board.
What is the prerequisite (mandatory registration) needed before applying for RCMC?
A valid and active Import-Export Code (IEC), issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), is a mandatory prerequisite for applying for the RCMC. The entire RCMC application is now processed through the DGFT's online portal.
What is the standard validity period for an RCMC?
The RCMC is generally issued with a validity of 5 financial years, starting from April 1st of the licensing year in which it was issued. It must be renewed before its expiry to ensure continuity of export benefits.
What is the mandatory Annual Compliance requirement for RCMC holders?
RCMC holders must comply with the DGFT's requirement of updating their electronic profile (e-KYC) on the DGFT portal annually, even if there are no changes in the details. This update must be filed between April and June of every year.
What happens if the RCMC holder fails to perform the mandatory annual update?
Failure to update the RCMC details annually (between April and June) leads to the automatic deactivation of the RCMC. The exporter will then be unable to avail of any benefits or incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy until the profile is updated and the RCMC is reactivated.
What is the process and fee structure for obtaining RCMC?
The process is entirely online via the DGFT portal (e-RCMC module). The fee is not fixed and varies significantly based on the specific EPC/Commodity Board, the exporter's category (manufacturer/merchant), and their annual export turnover.
