Verified as on September 2026 against Foreign Trade Policy 2023 Chapter 2, Handbook of Procedures 2023, DGFT Trade Notice No. 35/2021-2022 and Trade Notice No. 27/2022-2023.
The Short Answer: What is an RCMC
A Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a statutory certificate issued by one of India’s 37 notified Export Promotion Councils or Commodity Boards under Para 2.55 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023. It validates an exporter’s professional standing within their designated product or service sector. Without an active RCMC, an exporter cannot claim duty remission under RoDTEP or RoSCTL, execute Advance Authorisation or EPCG duty-free import licences, obtain Star Export House Status Holder recognition or access Market Access Initiative (MAI) trade grants.
The rule that decides everything: Under DGFT Trade Notice No. 35/2021-2022, all manual paper RCMC applications are legally obsolete. Applications, renewals and amendments must be filed exclusively through the electronic e-RCMC Common Digital Platform on dgft.gov.in. Applying to the wrong council for your product HS code leads to immediate application rejection and freezes incentive claims on ICEGATE.
| Item Parameter | Statutory Provision |
|---|
| Certificate Title | Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC / e-RCMC) |
| Governing Framework | Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (Paras 2.55 to 2.58) and Handbook of Procedures 2023 (Paras 2.78 to 2.82) |
| Issuing Bodies | 37 Notified Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards and Export Authorities (listed in Appendix 2T) |
| Who It Is For | Manufacturer exporters, merchant exporters and service exporters seeking export benefits or trade authorisations |
| Certificate Validity | 5 licensing years (ending on 31 March of the fifth licensing year), subject to annual council membership subscription renewal |
| Primary Purpose | Statutory gateway to claim RoDTEP, RoSCTL, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, Status Holder certificates and MAI grants |
| Application Platform | DGFT Common Digital Platform (dgft.gov.in -> Services -> e-RCMC) authenticated via Class 3 DSC |
Why We Are Writing This
Every year, thousands of Indian exporters lose valuable trade benefits because they fail to maintain active RCMC registration. Many businesses assume that obtaining an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is sufficient to claim export incentives. However, when shipping bills are processed on ICEGATE, duty remission scrips for RoDTEP or RoSCTL remain blocked if the exporter’s IEC is not linked to a valid e-RCMC in the DGFT repository.
Furthermore, choosing the wrong council among India’s 37 designated bodies creates operational delays. If an exporter shipping leather footwear registers with FIEO instead of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), the application will be queried and rejected under Para 2.56 of Foreign Trade Policy. Rasp International audits product HS codes, verifies manufacturing credentials and executes electronic filings to ensure direct council admission and immediate benefit activation.
Statutory Directory: India’s 37 Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards
Under Appendix 2T of the Handbook of Procedures 2023, exporters must apply to the specific council with jurisdiction over their main line of export business. The statutory directory includes:
| Council / Board Name | Primary Product Coverage | ITC (HS) Chapters |
|---|
| EEPC India | Engineering goods, heavy machinery, auto components, cast iron and fabricated metals | Chapters 72 to 85 |
| Council for Leather Exports (CLE) | Finished leather, leather garments, saddlery, travel goods and footwear | Chapters 41, 42 and 64 |
| Handicrafts EPC (EPCH) | Artisanal handicrafts, brassware, wooden homeware, fashion jewellery and decorative metal items | Chapters 44, 46, 70, 74 and 94 |
| Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) | Ready-made garments and knitwear apparel | Chapters 61 and 62 |
| Cotton Textiles EPC (TEXPROCIL) | Cotton yarn, grey cotton fabrics, woven cotton and cotton made-ups | Chapter 52 |
| MATEXIL (formerly SRTEPC) | Synthetic and rayon textiles, technical textiles, man-made fibres and blended yarn | Chapters 54, 55 and 59 |
| Basic Chemicals EPC (CHEMEXCIL) | Inorganic and organic chemicals, agrochemicals, cosmetics, dyes and essential oils | Chapters 28, 29, 32, 33 and 34 |
| Chemicals & Allied Products EPC (CAPEXIL) | Paints, rubber products, minerals, glass, ceramics, cement, books and paper goods | Chapters 25, 26, 40, 48 and 68 to 70 |
| Pharmaceuticals EPC (PHARMEXCIL) | Pharmaceutical formulations, bulk active ingredients, biologics and herbal medicines | Chapter 30 |
| APEDA | Agricultural produce, basmati rice, fresh fruits, vegetables, processed foods and dairy | Chapters 07, 08, 10, 11, 16, 20 and 22 |
| MPEDA | Marine and seafood products, frozen shrimp, fish fillets and chilled seafood | Chapters 03 and 16 |
| Spices Board of India | Whole spices, ground spices, curry powders, cardamom and spice oleoresins | Chapter 09 |
| Gem & Jewellery EPC (GJEPC) | Cut and polished diamonds, precious gemstones, gold jewellery and bullion | Chapter 71 |
| Plastics EPC (PLEXCONCIL) | Plastic raw materials, polymers, moulded goods, packaging films and laminates | Chapter 39 |
| Services EPC (SEPC) | Professional services, consulting, healthcare, education, logistics, hotel and tourism | Service Accounting Codes (SAC 99) |
| Electronics & Computer Software (ESC) | Consumer electronics, electronic components, IT hardware and software services | Chapters 84, 85 and SAC 99 |
| Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) | Multi-product exporters, general trading houses and products not covered by any specific EPC | Multi-chapter general merchandise |
Merchant Exporter vs. Manufacturer Exporter Rules
When applying for an RCMC, an enterprise must register under the correct statutory category:
1. Merchant Exporter
An enterprise that procures finished goods from domestic manufacturers and exports them directly under its own commercial invoice and shipping bill. Merchant exporters must provide their active IEC, PAN, GST registration and audited financial statements. They are not required to hold an industrial manufacturing licence.
2. Manufacturer Exporter
An enterprise that physically manufactures the export products in its own or leased factory facilities. To register as a Manufacturer Exporter, the applicant must submit statutory proof of manufacturing operations: an Industrial Factory Licence, an Udyam MSME Registration Certificate specifying manufacturing activity, State Pollution Control Board Consent to Operate or an Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandum (IEM). Holding manufacturer status is mandatory to claim Advance Authorisation duty exemptions or concessional EPCG benefits.
Documents Required for e-RCMC Application
The DGFT e-RCMC portal links directly with tax, customs and banking registries. The following documentation must be uploaded in PDF format:
| Document | What the Export Council Verifies | The Mismatch That Causes Rejection |
|---|
| Importer Exporter Code (IEC) Certificate | Active IEC profile, registered office address and listed directors matching tax databases | IEC de-activated due to missed annual confirmation, blocking portal filing |
| Entity PAN & GST Registration | Legal constitution, active GSTIN and state tax registrations matching business premises | Address discrepancy between GST registration certificate and the registered DGFT IEC address |
| CA Certified Export Turnover Statement | Audited turnover statement for preceding financial year to determine council membership fee slab | Turnover statement submitted without a valid Chartered Accountant UDIN |
| Manufacturing Proof (For Manufacturers) | Factory Licence, Udyam MSME certificate or Pollution Consent detailing manufacturing processes | Udyam certificate registered under “Trading” or “Services” activity rather than “Manufacturing” |
| Class 3 Organizational DSC | Cryptographic authentication by authorized partner, director or proprietor | Digital signature registered under personal capacity without corporate IEC mapping |
How to Apply for an e-RCMC, Stage by Stage
Following DGFT Trade Notice No. 35/2021-2022, all RCMC processes are executed through the DGFT Common Digital Platform:
1
Stage 1: Council Selection & HS Code Mapping
Review your primary export products by ITC (HS) code. Determine which notified council holds jurisdiction under Appendix 2T. If the product line spans multiple unrelated categories or lacks a specialized council, select the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) as the registering body.
2
Stage 2: Portal Login & e-RCMC Form Navigation
Log into dgft.gov.in with your user credentials and Class 3 DSC. Navigate to ‘Services’ -> ‘e-RCMC’ -> ‘Apply for e-RCMC’. The system pre-populates company particulars from your master IEC profile.
3
Stage 3: Data Entry and Document Upload
Select the registering council, specify whether applying as a Merchant Exporter or Manufacturer Exporter and input product descriptions with 8-digit HS codes. Declare your primary export turnover for the preceding financial year to establish the membership subscription fee. Upload the CA turnover certificate, factory licences and partnership/corporate deeds.
4
Stage 4: Fee Payment & Council Scrutiny
Digitally sign the application using your Class 3 DSC. Pay the prescribed council membership subscription fee via the integrated DGFT payment gateway. The application transmits electronically to the chosen Export Promotion Council for administrative review.
5
Stage 5: Electronic Issuance and DGFT-ICEGATE Synchronization
The council scrutinises documentation. Upon satisfaction, the council officer issues the electronic e-RCMC certificate on the portal. The issued certificate automatically populates in the DGFT repository and synchronizes with ICEGATE customs servers within 24 hours, unfreezing incentive processing.
Facing council selection queries or delayed e-RCMC issuance?
Our DGFT advisory desk audits product classifications, resolves council deficiencies and expedites electronic certificate issuance.
Message our RCMC compliance team on WhatsApp: +91 8218043048 | View DGFT Advisory Services
Where RCMC Applications Go Wrong
Most RCMC delays and rejections arise from jurisdictional errors or incomplete manufacturing evidence:
| Operational Failure | What You See on Portal / Customs | What Actually Broke |
|---|
| Wrong Council Jurisdiction | Deficiency letter stating “Product does not fall under our council jurisdiction” | Applied to FIEO for products that have a dedicated statutory council (for example, applying to FIEO for pure leather garments instead of CLE). |
| Manufacturer Classification Rejection | Council queries status and demands industrial factory license | Applicant applied as Manufacturer Exporter but submitted an Udyam certificate registered under trading activities or an unapproved rental unit. |
| Membership Subscription Lapse | “e-RCMC suspended on DGFT dashboard” | The five-year certificate was active, but the exporter failed to pay the mandatory annual council membership renewal subscription on 1 April. |
| ICEGATE Incentive Blockage | RoDTEP scrip generation fails with error “RCMC not validated” | The e-RCMC certificate was approved by the council, but the exporter did not trigger electronic transmission to ICEGATE on the DGFT dashboard. |
| Address Mismatch Query | Application held in pending status requesting registered lease deed | Branch or factory premises address added to the RCMC form did not exist on the master DGFT IEC profile. |
What an RCMC Will Not Do
Understanding the operational boundaries of an RCMC prevents regulatory misconceptions:
- An RCMC does not guarantee export orders or buyer contracts: An RCMC establishes statutory credibility and grants access to council trade delegations and exhibitions, but commercial buyer procurement remains the exporter’s responsibility.
- An RCMC does not exempt your shipments from customs tariffs or duty payments: Holding an RCMC qualifies your firm to apply for duty exemption authorisations (Advance Authorisation or EPCG), but does not itself provide customs duty waivers at the port.
- An RCMC cannot be shared across distinct legal entities: Each separate corporate entity or partnership with a unique PAN and IEC must obtain its own independent RCMC registration.
Related DGFT Licensing & Incentive Services
Explore our integrated compliance advisory services to keep your export-import enterprise fully compliant and operationally efficient:
Statutory RegistrationTen-digit Importer Exporter Code issuance, PAN alignment, mandatory annual renewals and portal de-activation recovery.
View IEC Details
Duty ExemptionDuty-free import of raw materials and manufacturing inputs based on Standard Input Output Norms with complete EODC redemption support.
Explore Advance Authorisation
Capital MachineryZero customs duty import of capital machinery against export commitments, including installation audit certificates and obligation discharge.
Read EPCG Guide
Exporter RecognitionStatus Holder accreditation delivering self-certification privileges, bank guarantee waivers and priority green channel customs clearance.
View Status Holder Guide
AuthenticationDGFT-compliant cryptographic USB hardware tokens for secure electronic signing of e-RCMC applications and council communications.
View DSC Details
Customs Port IntegrationElectronic bank AD code registration and IFSC mapping across ICEGATE customs EDI locations for direct export proceeds tracking.
Read AD Code Guide
Have more questions?Visit our complete EXIM & DGFT Knowledge Base with 50+ answers about Foreign Trade Policy, export schemes, customs and more. Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)?
An RCMC is a statutory membership certificate issued by 37 notified Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards under Chapter 2 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023. It confirms that an exporter is registered with the council governing their primary product line.
Is an RCMC mandatory for all Indian exporters?
An RCMC is not strictly mandatory to export goods if no government benefits are sought. However, holding an RCMC is legally mandatory to claim duty remission schemes (RoDTEP, RoSCTL), obtain Advance Authorisation or EPCG duty-free licences and apply for Star Export House recognition.
How long is an RCMC valid once issued?
An RCMC is valid for five licensing years, ending on 31 March of the fifth year. However, its active status requires maintaining paid annual council membership subscriptions each financial year.
What is the difference between FIEO and a specialized Export Promotion Council?
A specialized EPC (such as EEPC for engineering or CLE for leather) represents a specific commodity sector. FIEO represents multi-product exporters, service providers, export trading houses and products that do not fall under any specialized council.
Can an exporter register with more than one Export Promotion Council?
Yes. If an enterprise exports diversified product lines across multiple sectors (for example, both textile garments and leather footwear), it can obtain separate RCMC certificates from the respective councils (AEPC and CLE) under its single IEC.
How is an RCMC applied for in 2026?
All applications must be filed electronically through the DGFT Common Digital Platform under the e-RCMC module on dgft.gov.in. Manual paper applications are obsolete and no longer accepted by any council.
What is required to register as a Manufacturer Exporter under an EPC?
To register as a Manufacturer Exporter, the applicant must upload statutory proof of manufacturing operations: an Industrial Factory Licence, an Udyam MSME certificate specifying manufacturing activity or State Pollution Control Board Consent to Operate.
What happens if my RCMC expires or council subscription lapses?
If your annual subscription lapses, the council moves your e-RCMC to suspended status on the DGFT portal. Consequently, customs EDI systems block your export incentive scrips and DGFT locks new authorisation applications until renewal fees are paid.
Does holding an RCMC provide access to government trade grants?
Yes. Registered members are eligible to apply for financial assistance under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme to subsidize international exhibition booth costs, trade delegation travel and overseas product testing.
Is a Digital Signature Certificate mandatory for e-RCMC filing?
Yes. For partnership firms, LLPs and companies, an organizational Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory to authenticate and submit the electronic application on the DGFT e-RCMC portal.
How Rasp International Handles RCMC Registration & Council Liaison
Rasp International is an ISO 9001:2015 certified trade advisory firm located at A-39, New Agra Colony, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282005. Built on a family trade legacy dating back to 2005, we have advised more than 500 exporters across India on council selection, e-RCMC digital filing and incentive realization.
Our trade desk evaluates product HS codes, advises on merchant versus manufacturer documentation, resolves council deficiency queries and monitors annual subscription renewals to ensure your business maintains uninterrupted access to India’s export promotion benefits.
Activate Your Export Council Membership & Incentives
Whether you need fresh council admission across the 37 EPCs or require urgent e-RCMC restoration to release RoDTEP scrips, our DGFT specialists ensure rapid compliance turnaround.
Statutory Sources & Regulatory References
Disclaimer: This statutory compliance guide is prepared for commercial decision-making and trade compliance guidance based on official regulations published by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and the Department of Commerce. Exporters must verify specific membership subscription schedules and documentation rules with their designated Export Promotion Council before filing.
Related Resources: DGFT Consultants & Licensing Services | IEC Registration & Updation | Advance Authorisation Guide | Star Export House Recognition