RCMC Registration

Overview

RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) is an official certificate that confirms an exporter is registered with a relevant Export Promotion Council (EPC), Commodity Board, Development Authority or other competent body authorised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It serves as proof of an exporter's membership with the body that handles their product or service.

Any business or person engaged in the export (or import of restricted goods) of products covered under the Foreign Trade Policy needs an RCMC. It is a prerequisite for availing benefits and concessions under various export promotion schemes, and for importing or exporting certain restricted items. To apply, the exporter must first hold a valid Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT.

RCMC is required because it establishes an exporter's bona fides with the Government and the trade body, and unlocks access to government export incentives, market support, trade information and other facilities. Since the digitisation of the process, RCMC is applied for, renewed and amended online through the DGFT e-RCMC portal, where applications are routed to the chosen registering authority for approval.

Eligibility

An applicant is eligible to obtain RCMC if the following conditions are met:

• The applicant must be an exporter (or an importer of restricted goods) dealing in products or services covered under the Foreign Trade Policy.
• The applicant must hold a valid Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT before applying.
• The exporter must declare the main line of business / primary product and apply to the relevant Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board or Development Authority dealing with that product.
• Any business constitution can apply, including proprietorships, partnership firms, LLPs, private and public limited companies, HUFs, co-operatives, trusts and other entities.
• An updated IEC profile and a valid Digital Signature (DSC) or Aadhaar e-Sign are needed to submit the application on the DGFT e-RCMC portal.

There is generally no minimum turnover requirement to obtain an RCMC; the key prerequisite is a valid IEC and registration with the appropriate authority.

Benefits

Holding an RCMC offers exporters several benefits:

• Access to export promotion schemes: RCMC is a prerequisite for claiming benefits under various Foreign Trade Policy schemes, such as RoDTEP, Duty Drawback, the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme, Advance Authorisation and Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA).
• Import/export of restricted items: It enables the authorised import or export of certain restricted products under the Foreign Trade Policy.
• Government and trade-body support: Members receive sector-specific guidance, trade information, market intelligence and policy updates from their council or board.
• Market access: Support for participation in international trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-seller meets organised by the registering authority.
• Credibility: An RCMC enhances the exporter's standing with overseas buyers, banks and authorities, and is often required by customs and banks for export documentation.

RCMC Registering Authorities

RCMC is issued by bodies notified and authorised by the DGFT. The list of registering authorities is set out in Appendix 2T of the Foreign Trade Policy / Handbook of Procedures. These broadly fall into the following categories:

• Export Promotion Councils (EPCs): Sector-specific bodies covering areas such as engineering goods, textiles and apparel, gems and jewellery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics and services.
• Commodity Boards: Bodies dealing with traditional commodities such as tea, coffee, spices, rubber and tobacco (for example the Tea Board, Coffee Board and Spices Board).
• Development Authorities: Specialised authorities such as APEDA (agricultural and processed food products) and MPEDA (marine products).
• Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO): Acts as the registering authority for multi-product exporters and for exporters whose products are not covered by any specific council or board.

The exporter should select the authority that corresponds to their main product or service when applying. The exact list of authorities and their product mandates should be confirmed from the current Appendix 2T on the DGFT portal.

Documents Required

Only PAN Card and Aadhaar Card are mandatory; the rest are optional.

• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size Photograph
• Address Proof (Utility / Electricity Bill)
• Bank Statement
• Import-Export Code (IEC) certificate
• Business Registration Proof (MOA & AOA / Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / LLP Agreement / Trust Deed or Registration Certificate, per entity type)
• Bank Certificate / Banker's Details
• Proof of Manufacturing Unit (SSI Registration, SIA Certification, or factory registration, if applicable)
• Export Turnover Details certified by a Chartered Accountant (preceding three years)
• Board Resolution / Power of Attorney (if signatory not listed in IEC/MOA/deed)

Compliance with RCMC

After obtaining an RCMC, exporters must observe certain ongoing compliances to keep the certificate valid and in good standing:

• Validity: An RCMC is generally valid for five financial years. It is deemed valid from 1 April of the licensing year in which it is issued and remains valid up to 31 March of the fifth year, unless otherwise specified.
• Renewal: The certificate must be renewed before expiry through the DGFT e-RCMC portal to continue availing export benefits.
• Amendments: Any change in the exporter's name, address, constitution, ownership, products or other particulars must be intimated to the registering authority and updated online, typically within the prescribed period.
• Membership obligations: Exporters should pay applicable membership/annual fees and file any returns or export data required by the registering authority.
• Single declaration: The main line of business should be correctly declared; multi-product exporters may register with FIEO or with multiple councils as appropriate.

Exact validity, renewal timelines, fees and reporting requirements vary by authority and current rules, and should be confirmed on the DGFT/registering authority portal at the time of application.

How to Apply

Getting your RCMC Registration through TaxoSure is simple and fully online. Just follow these steps:

1. Visit TaxoSure. Go to taxosure.com and open this RCMC Registration page.
2. Login or Register. Create your free TaxoSure account, or log in if you already have one.
3. Upload your documents. Your KYC documents (PAN & Aadhaar) are auto-filled from your account; simply upload the remaining documents as per the checklist on this page.
4. Submit your application. Review the details and submit your RCMC application in one click.
5. Talk to our consultant. Our consultant connects with you on WhatsApp / Call to confirm the details, share the pricing and begin the work.
6. Get your RCMC certificate. Our experts complete the entire process and deliver your Registration-cum-Membership Certificate to you.

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