Rasp International | ISO 9001:2015 Certified Handicraft Trade Advisory

EPCH Registration & RCMC Consultant: Handicraft Export Compliance and Duty-Free Import Benefits

Complete Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) advisory for Indian artisans, manufacturers and merchant exporters. Secure your Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) on the DGFT digital portal, access duty-free input import entitlements under Customs Notification 50/2017, obtain Market Access Initiative (MAI) subsidies for IHGF Delhi Fair and resolve compliance audits under Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

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WhatsApp EPCH Advisory: +91 8218043048

The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), established under the Companies Act in 1986-87, is the apex national nodal agency representing over ten thousand craft manufacturers and merchant exporters across India. Operating under the administrative oversight of the Ministry of Textiles and recognized by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), EPCH acts as the statutory custodian for Indian handicrafts, home decor, lifestyle products, brass artware, fashion jewellery, hand-printed textiles, wooden furniture and artisanal goods. For exporters in Moradabad, Jodhpur, Saharanpur, Agra, Jaipur, Firozabad and Narsapur, an active EPCH Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is an indispensable commercial passport.

Rasp International provides specialized institutional advisory for handicraft exporters navigating EPCH compliance. We ensure prompt issuance of your RCMC on the DGFT Common Digital Platform, maximize duty-free embellishment and raw material import quotas under Customs Notification No. 50/2017-Customs, manage international trade fair stall allocations at the IHGF Delhi Fair and safeguard export incentives under RoDTEP and Duty Drawback.

1986

Statutory inception of EPCH as apex handicraft council under Ministry of Textiles

10,000+

Registered handicraft exporters and artisanal manufacturers across India

5% FOB

Duty-free input import entitlement on realized export turnover under Customs Notification 50/2017

ISO 9001

Certified compliance framework ensuring audit-proof documentation for craft exporters

Verified as on September 2026 against Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Handbook of Procedures 2023, CBIC Customs Notification No. 50/2017 and EPCH Membership Bye-Laws.

The Short Answer: Why Every Handicraft Exporter Requires EPCH Membership

Any Indian enterprise manufacturing, processing or exporting handmade decorative items, home lifestyle goods, brass art metalware, carved wooden furniture, fashion accessories or hand-embroidered textiles must register with EPCH. Holding an active EPCH RCMC is a mandatory statutory prerequisite to file shipping bills under RoDTEP export benefit codes, claim All Industry Rate Duty Drawback under Customs Section 75, import duty-free embellishments and participate in subsidized government trade exhibitions globally.

The rule that decides everything: Under Paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, an exporter cannot claim any export incentive, duty exemption or trade authorization from DGFT or Customs without submitting an active electronic RCMC issued by the designated council. If your business exports handicraft products falling under HS Chapters 44, 46, 57, 65, 69, 70, 74, 83 or 94, declaring an alternative generic council like FIEO without authorization can lead to customs classification disputes and retroactive recovery of incentive scrips.

Council Parameter	Statutory Provision for EPCH
Nodal Administrative Ministry	Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Governing Council Headquarters	EPCH House, Pocket 6 & 7, Sector C, LSC, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070
Regional Advisory Offices	Agra, Jaipur, Moradabad, Jodhpur, Saharanpur, Kolkata, Guwahati, Mumbai and Bangalore
Statutory Membership Cadres	Associate Member (non-voting emerging units) and Ordinary Member (voting established exporters)
Key Duty Exemption Benefit	Duty-Free Import of specified embellishments, trimming and consumables up to 5% of previous FOB turnover
Flagship Commercial Event	IHGF Delhi Fair (Spring and Autumn Editions at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida)

Core EPCH Advisory Scope

Specialized EPCH Services for Indian Craft Exporters

Rasp International provides complete end-to-end statutory support for handicraft manufacturers, artisan clusters and commercial export desks:

Statutory RCMC

New EPCH RCMC Filing & Digital DGFT Issuance

Preparing corporate documentation, verifying production machinery assets, drafting Chartered Accountant turnover certificates and submitting error-free digital applications through the DGFT Common Digital Platform for immediate electronic RCMC certificate generation.

View RCMC Details

Fiscal Exemption

Customs Notification 50/2017 Duty-Free Entitlements

Structuring duty-free import authorisations for imported brass hardware, specialized glass components, lacquer coats, carving tools, zippers and packaging inputs up to five percent of your realized Free on Board (FOB) handicraft export turnover.

Explore Duty Exemptions

Exhibition Support

IHGF Delhi Fair & International Fair Subsidies

Securing prime booth space and processing Market Access Initiative (MAI) financial reimbursements for domestic and overseas trade fairs in Frankfurt (Ambiente), Birmingham (Autumn Fair), High Point Market (USA) and Tokyo Gift Show.

Read Exhibition Strategy

Cluster Compliance

Moradabad, Jodhpur & Saharanpur Cluster Advisory

Specialized factory compliance audits for brassware foundry clusters in Moradabad, wooden furniture seasoning units in Jodhpur and Saharanpur and stone carving units in Agra to satisfy strict European Union and American supply chain audit standards.

Explore Cluster Advisory

Incentive Defense

RoDTEP & Drawback Classification Audits

Reconciling Chapter 74, 83, 44 and 94 export shipping bills to ensure maximum cash incentive credit, avoiding misdeclaration notices and securing prompt ICEGATE electronic scrip ledger disbursements.

View Incentive Options

Turnkey Advisory

RCMC Renewal & Profile Amendment Advisory

Managing annual EPCH membership renewals, updating corporate directors, modifying manufacturing factory addresses and transitioning eligible firms from Associate to Ordinary voting membership status.

Consult DGFT Advisory

Product Coverage and Sectoral Classifications Under EPCH Jurisdiction

The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts oversees twelve distinct artisanal product categories defined under Foreign Trade Policy guidelines:

1. Art Metalware and Brass Crafts (HS Chapter 74, 76, 83)

Cast and forged brass decorative items, EPNS silverware, aluminum hardware, iron candleholders, architectural ironmongery, handcrafted lanterns and garden accessories centered across Moradabad, Aligarh and Jagadhri.

2. Woodware and Handcrafted Furniture (HS Chapter 44, 94)

Sheesham, mango and acacia solid wood furniture, antique reproductions, carved panels, wooden kitchen accessories, turned wood artifacts and giftware originating from Jodhpur, Saharanpur, Channapatna and Nagina.

3. Hand-Printed Textiles, Scarves and Embroidered Goods (HS Chapter 57, 62, 63)

Traditional block-printed home textiles, zardozi embroidery, hand-made quilts, table linen, crochet artifacts and applique fabrics manufactured in Jaipur, Sanganer, Barmer and Lucknow.

4. Fashion Jewellery and Accessories (HS Chapter 71)

Non-precious fashion accessories, beaded jewelry, bone and horn ornaments, wood and resin accessories crafted across Delhi NCR, Jaipur and Sambhal.

5. Handmade Carpets, Rugs and Durries (HS Chapter 57)

Woolen, cotton and jute flatweave durries, hand-knotted and hand-tufted floor coverings produced in Agra, Panipat, Mirzapur and Sitapur.

6. Marble, Alabaster and Stone Inlay Crafts (HS Chapter 68)

Pietra dura marble inlay table tops, soapstone boxes, carved stone sculptures and architectural elements rooted in the historic artisan workshops of Agra and Rajasthan.

7. Glassware and Ceramic Lifestyle Products (HS Chapter 70, 69)

Mouth-blown art glass, mosaic lighting, glass beads and handcrafted ceramic tableware produced in Firozabad, Khurja and Jaipur.

8. VRIKSH Timber Legality Verification and CITES Export Permits

Wooden handicraft exporters utilizing Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) or Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) face stringent international trade regulations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). EPCH operates the autonomous VRIKSH Timber Legality Assessment Verification Scheme recognized by European Union timber regulations and the United States Lacey Act. Rasp International guides woodware exporters through VRIKSH chain-of-custody audits, procurement source traceability and CITES comparable certificate issuance, enabling friction-free customs clearance in Western markets.

9. Common Facility Centres and NABL Accredited Testing Laboratories

To help MSME craft clusters satisfy global chemical migration and metallurgical safety thresholds, EPCH manages specialized Common Facility Centres (CFC) and NABL accredited testing laboratories across Moradabad, Saharanpur and Jodhpur. These institutional testing hubs conduct lead and cadmium leachability tests under California Proposition 65, European REACH chemical assessments, timber moisture content certification and spectrophotometer color-fastness audits ensuring that Indian shipments avoid overseas dock rejections.

Duty-Free Import Scheme Under Customs Notification 50/2017 Explained

One of the most potent fiscal advantages available to EPCH registered manufacturers is the duty-free import of specified embellishments, consumables and manufacturing inputs under Condition 28 of Customs Notification No. 50/2017-Customs:

The 5% Entitlement Mechanism

A registered handicraft manufacturer exporter is legally entitled to import specified embellishments, trimming, tooling, adhesives and processing consumables completely free of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and Integrated GST (IGST). The duty-free entitlement value is capped at up to five percent of the manufacturer’s Free on Board (FOB) value of realized handicraft exports during the preceding financial year.

Permissible Duty-Free Inputs for Craft Production

The notification permits duty-free entry for specialized inputs that are frequently unavailable domestically in international quality grades:

Brass and metal fittings, hinges, magnetic catches, locks and handles for wooden boxes and high-end furniture.
Specialized protective lacquers, chemical patina solutions, electroplating salts and metal oxidization agents.
Abrasive sanding papers, diamond polishing pads, carbide carving bits and specialized wood chisels.
Glass stones, acrylic beads, synthetic cabochons, zippers, cords and eyelets for handcrafted fashion wear.
High-grade imported packaging materials, silica gel packs and anti-fungal micro-packs required by European retail chains.

Statutory Audit and Consumption Accounting

Duty-free imports under Notification 50/2017 carry strict actual user conditions. Imported consumables must be physically utilized in the manufacture of export products within eighteen months of clearance. The enterprise must maintain an exhaustive consumption register in Appendix 4M format certified by an independent Chartered Accountant. Failure to submit verified consumption registers during post-clearance audits triggers customs demands for recovered duty with fifteen percent interest under Section 28 of the Customs Act 1962.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for an EPCH RCMC Certificate

Obtaining an electronic RCMC from EPCH follows a structured, verified statutory process on the DGFT digital platform:

Step 1: Corporate Entity Validation

Ensure that your Importer Exporter Code (IEC) profile on dgft.gov.in is active, updated and fully reconciled with your corporate PAN, GSTIN and bank Authorised Dealer code. If applying as a Manufacturer Exporter, your factory address must be registered in your IEC profile and supported by an active MSME Udyam certificate, Industrial License or Pollution Control Board consent.

Step 2: Digital Application on DGFT Platform

Log into the DGFT Common Digital Platform using an enterprise Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate. Select the e-RCMC service module and choose the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts as the designated authority. Specify your applicant category as either Manufacturer Exporter or Merchant Exporter and select your primary craft product lines.

Step 3: Document Compilation and Submission

Upload clear digital copies of mandatory statutory supporting records:

Self-certified copy of digital Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
Certified copy of corporate PAN card and GST Registration Certificate (Form GST REG-06).
MSME Udyam Registration Certificate or Factory License explicitly specifying handicraft manufacturing activities (for manufacturer status).
Chartered Accountant Certificate certifying export turnover or domestic craft sales for the preceding three financial years.
Partnership Deed or Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA / AoA) with Board Resolution authorizing the signatory.
Cancelled company cheque showing pre-printed entity name, IFSC code and current account number.

Step 4: Statutory Fee Remittance and Scrutiny

Remit the prescribed annual membership subscription fee and one-time entrance fee online via the DGFT payment gateway. Applications undergo administrative scrutiny by EPCH membership officers at regional directorates. Upon successful verification of submitted records, the council issues a digitally signed, verifiable electronic RCMC certificate valid for five financial years.

Associate Membership vs Ordinary Membership: Understanding the Difference

EPCH categorizes members into two operational cadres according to their export track record and council participation:

Evaluation Criteria	Associate Member	Ordinary Member
Eligible Profile	New exporters, emerging artisan workshops, small MSME units and merchant traders	Established exporters meeting minimum export turnover criteria for three consecutive years
Export Turnover Requirement	Zero minimum export turnover required; domestic craft manufacturers eligible	Demonstrated minimum annual handicraft export turnover certified by Chartered Accountant
Voting and Governance Rights	No voting rights in council elections; cannot contest Committee of Administration (CoA) seats	Full voting rights in general body elections; eligible to contest council administrative posts
RCMC Statutory Validity	Fully valid for all DGFT, customs and RoDTEP export incentive benefits	Fully valid for all DGFT, customs and RoDTEP export incentive benefits
Trade Fair Priority	Standard booth draw allocation at IHGF Delhi Fair	Seniority-based priority booth selection at national and international exhibitions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EPCH registration mandatory for exporting handicrafts from India?

Yes. Under Paragraph 2.57 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023, holding an active Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by the competent Export Promotion Council is mandatory to claim export duty remissions under RoDTEP, Duty Drawback, Advance Authorisation and international trade fair participation subsidies.

Can a merchant exporter who does not own a manufacturing factory register with EPCH?

Yes. EPCH admits both Manufacturer Exporters and Merchant Exporters. A merchant exporter must provide an active IEC, corporate PAN, GST registration, bank reference letter and a Chartered Accountant turnover certificate. Merchant exporters enjoy full RCMC rights, export incentives and exhibition access.

What is the validity period of an electronic EPCH RCMC certificate?

An electronic RCMC issued by EPCH is valid for five financial years starting from 1 April of the licensing year of issuance up to 31 March of the fifth year, subject to continuous payment of mandatory annual council membership subscription fees.

What happens if an exporter fails to pay the annual EPCH membership renewal fee?

Failure to remit the annual membership renewal fee before 30 June results in immediate electronic de-activation of the RCMC on the DGFT Common Digital Platform. This immediately blocks the generation of customs shipping bills claiming RoDTEP benefits and halts ongoing export incentive processing.

How does Customs Notification 50/2017 help handicraft manufacturers save capital?

Condition 28 of Customs Notification 50/2017 allows eligible handicraft manufacturer exporters to import specified inputs, trimming, embellishments and chemical consumables duty-free up to 5% of their realized export turnover of the preceding financial year, significantly lowering manufacturing input costs.

What is the IHGF Delhi Fair and how does EPCH assist exhibitors?

The IHGF Delhi Fair (Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair), held twice annually in Greater Noida, is Asia’s largest B2B handicrafts exhibition hosting thousands of international overseas volume buyers. EPCH organizes the fair, allocates booth infrastructure and facilitates Market Access Initiative (MAI) travel and stall rental subsidies for eligible MSME exhibitors.

Can an enterprise hold RCMC from both EPCH and another council like FIEO or EEPC?

An enterprise exporting diverse multi-product lines can hold RCMC certificates from multiple councils corresponding to individual business lines. However, for all handicraft products governed by EPCH, the enterprise must register EPCH as the designated nodal body on the DGFT digital portal.

What documents are required to prove Manufacturer Exporter status for EPCH?

To qualify as a Manufacturer Exporter, an applicant must submit an active MSME Udyam Registration Certificate, Industrial License or State Directorate of Industries Registration explicitly detailing factory machinery, installed craft capacity and physical manufacturing premises.

How does Rasp International assist craft exporters with EPCH compliance?

Rasp International handles the complete lifecycle: new digital RCMC applications, turnover certifications, category upgrades from Associate to Ordinary, duty-free input consumption accounting under Customs Notification 50/2017 and post-clearance audit representation before DGFT and Customs authorities.

Partner with Rasp International for End-to-End EPCH Compliance

Rasp International is an ISO 9001:2015 certified foreign trade advisory firm with an established family heritage in export management dating back to 2005. Having represented over five hundred Indian exporters across the premier craft belts of Moradabad, Agra, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Saharanpur, our technical consultants protect your export incentives, secure duty exemptions and eliminate administrative friction.

Whether you are setting up your initial export desk, claiming duty-free import entitlements under Notification 50/2017 or expanding your international footprint through global trade exhibitions, we provide authoritative, practitioner-led trade consulting.

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Statutory Sources & Primary Authorities

Every operational guideline, duty exemption entitlement and regulatory procedure on this page traces to primary sovereign authorities:

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) Membership Guidelines and Memorandum of Association, New Delhi.
Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and Handbook of Procedures 2023, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Customs Tariff Notification No. 50/2017-Customs (Condition 28), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Department of Revenue.
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi.
ICEGATE Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange Gateway Guidelines on Export Incentive Crediting, CBIC.

General compliance disclaimer: Statutory policies, tariff exemptions, council membership fees and export incentive rates are subject to periodic administrative amendments by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Textiles and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Exporters should verify current notifications with accredited trade advisors prior to executing international commercial agreements.