Get Your RCMC Registration with eFileSeva | We Help You Do It Right!
The Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is your membership card in the Indian export community. Issued by Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, and Development Authorities under the oversight of the DGFT, the RCMC is required under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) to claim export incentives, concessions, and authorisations. eFileSeva helps manufacturers, merchants, and service exporters obtain the correct RCMC smoothly, fast, and fully compliant — from council selection to renewal.
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Key Details for RCMC Registration
eFileSeva provides complete assistance for RCMC registration — selecting the right Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board, documentation, application filing on the DGFT Common Digital Platform (Form ANF 2C), and post-registration compliance for exporters of goods and services across India.
| # | Topic | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose the Correct Council | The RCMC must be obtained from the Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board, or Development Authority that represents your main line of business. Choosing the wrong council is a common and costly mistake — eFileSeva helps you match your product or service to the right authority. |
| 2 | Registration Timeline |
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| 3 | Registration Cost | Membership fees vary depending on the Export Promotion Council and the nature and size of the business, typically ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹15,000. eFileSeva provides transparent pricing with no hidden charges and professional assistance throughout the process. |
| 4 | Eligibility for Exporters | Any person or business engaged in or intending to engage in the export of goods or services — manufacturer, merchant, service exporter, EOU, startup, or MSME — with a valid IEC can register with the relevant council. |
| 5 | Import Export Code (IEC) | A valid IEC issued by the DGFT is a mandatory prerequisite for RCMC. No RCMC can be granted without a valid IEC. eFileSeva helps you obtain or update your IEC before applying. |
| 6 | Form ANF 2C & Single Window | Applications are filed online through the DGFT Common Digital Platform using Form ANF 2C, and processed by the relevant council. Since July 2023, even APEDA RCMCs are issued through the DGFT portal, bringing all categories onto a single window. |
| 7 | Benefits & Incentives | A valid RCMC is essential to claim benefits and concessions under the Foreign Trade Policy — Duty Drawback, RoDTEP, EPCG, Advance Authorisation — and to participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets organised by the council. |
| 8 | Validity & Renewal | The RCMC is generally valid for 5 financial years, from 1 April of the licensing year to 31 March of the fifth year. Some councils (e.g., FIEO) issue for 1–5 years. You must renew before expiry and pay the annual membership fee to stay active. |
| 9 | Post-Registration Services |
After obtaining the RCMC, eFileSeva assists with:
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*Registration timelines may vary depending on the council, document completeness, and portal processing.
RCMC Registration in India: Everything You Need to Know
Register as a Member of the Indian Export Community
An RCMC — Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate — is a document issued by a government-authorised Export Promotion Council (EPC), Commodity Board, or Development Authority under the oversight of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It confirms that the exporter is a registered member of the body responsible for its sector.
An RCMC is not mandatory for every export — most goods and services leave India without one. It becomes mandatory when you want to claim benefits, concessions, or authorisations under the Foreign Trade Policy, such as concessional-duty schemes, Duty Drawback, RoDTEP, EPCG, and Advance Authorisation. It is also required to participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets organised by the council, and it adds credibility with international buyers.
An RCMC is generally valid for 5 financial years and must be renewed before expiry. eFileSeva helps you select the correct council based on your product or service, prepare documentation, file Form ANF 2C on the DGFT Common Digital Platform, pay the membership fee, and stay compliant — making your RCMC journey simple, fast, and hassle-free.
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Disclaimer
eFileSeva is a professional certification consultancy and compliance service provider. We are not an Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board, or the DGFT and do not issue RCMCs or approvals. All registrations, certificates, and approvals are issued solely by the respective Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board, or authority. Our role is to assist clients with consultation, documentation, application filing, and end-to-end process support.
Export Promotion Councils & Commodity Boards
Selecting the correct council is the single most important decision for every exporter. The RCMC must be obtained from the authority that represents your main line of business — if your product doesn't fall under a specific council, you can register with FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations). eFileSeva helps you identify the right authority and complete the RCMC registration process with expert guidance.
Agriculture & Processed Food
APEDA covers fruits & vegetables, cereals, meat, dairy, processed foods, and other scheduled agricultural products. MPEDA covers marine products and seafood.
Learn MoreEngineering & Chemicals
EEPC India covers engineering goods, machinery, and industrial equipment; CHEMEXCIL / CAPEXIL covers chemicals, cosmetics, dyes, and allied products; PLEXCONCIL covers plastics.
Learn MoreTextiles, Apparel & Handicrafts
AEPC / TEXPROCIL cover ready-made garments, textiles, and apparel; HEPC covers handloom textiles; EPCH covers handicrafts.
Learn MoreGems, Pharma & Leather
GJEPC covers gems and jewellery; Pharmexcil covers pharmaceuticals and bulk drugs; CLE covers leather goods and footwear.
Learn MoreCommodity Boards
Cultivation-based and commodity-driven exports register with boards such as the Spices Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board, and Cashew Export Promotion Council (CEPCI).
Learn MoreServices & Multi-Product Exporters
SEPC covers service exports (IT, education, healthcare, legal, entertainment). FIEO is the default authority for multi-product exporters and services not covered by a specific council.
Learn MoreNot Sure Which Council Your RCMC Should Come From?
eFileSeva's experts will help you choose the correct Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board based on your products, HS codes, and main line of business.
Get Free ConsultationEligibility / Minimum Requirements
Before applying for an RCMC, you must meet a few basic eligibility and documentary requirements. eFileSeva helps you verify these requirements and complete your registration without delays.
Eligible Applicants
Any individual or business engaged in or intending to engage in the export of goods or services can apply — manufacturer exporters, merchant exporters, service exporters, export-oriented units, startups, and MSMEs, across all business structures.
Valid IEC (Import Export Code)
A valid IEC issued by DGFT is a mandatory prerequisite for RCMC. You cannot apply for an RCMC without a valid IEC. eFileSeva can help you obtain or update it before applying.
Correct Council & Product Category
- Match your main line of business to the relevant EPC or Commodity Board
- Product list with correct HS Codes of items you intend to export
- Multi-product exporters may register with FIEO
Business, Bank & Financials
A registered office in India, a current bank account in the firm's name, a bank certificate or cancelled cheque, and for some councils, a CA-certified export turnover for the past three years.
GST & Regulatory Compliance
A valid GST registration and regular GST filing, along with compliance with all applicable rules. Your business must not be blacklisted by any government body or have unresolved legal or compliance issues.
Declarations & Compliance
You must declare your main stream of exportable products and agree to comply with the Foreign Trade Policy and the rules of the council. For service exporters, the nature of services exported must be declared.
Compliance with the Foreign Trade Policy
A valid RCMC is required to claim benefits, concessions, and authorisations under the Foreign Trade Policy. Keep your RCMC current and pay the annual membership fee on time to retain benefits.
Ready to Register with the Right Export Promotion Council?
eFileSeva's experts will help you choose the correct council, prepare documents, and complete your RCMC registration quickly and compliantly.
Get Started TodayDocuments Required for RCMC Registration
The required documents may vary depending on the council and your business structure. eFileSeva helps you verify and prepare all the necessary documents for a smooth process.
Applicant / Business KYC Documents
- PAN Card of the Firm / Proprietor / Partners / Directors
- Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID (Identity & Address)
- Passport Size Photograph of the Authorised Signatory
- Business Registration Proof — COI / Partnership Deed / MOA & AOA / LLP Agreement
Export, IEC & Product Documents
- Import Export Code (IEC) issued by DGFT
- GST Registration Certificate / GSTIN
- Product List with HS Codes to be Exported
- Board Resolution / Power of Attorney for the Authorised Signatory
Bank & Financial Documents
- Bank Certificate / Cancelled Cheque of the Firm's Account
- Bank Certificate of Exporter's Realisation (as applicable)
- List of Directors / Partners with Contact Details
- CA-Certified Export Turnover for Past 3 Years (for some councils)
Premises, Declarations & Supporting Documents
- Address Proof & Lease / Ownership of Registered Office
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the Signatory
- MSME / Udyam Registration (optional but recommended)
- Declaration of Main Line of Business & Compliance
Pro Tip
Confirm the exact Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board for your main line of business and ensure your IEC is valid before applying. Choosing the wrong council — or providing incorrect HS Codes — is the most common cause of delays and application rejection. If you export a variety of products or services, register with FIEO. Remember to pay the annual membership fee to keep your RCMC active.
Timeline for RCMC Registration
eFileSeva simplifies the RCMC registration process with expert guidance at every stage. While timelines may vary depending on the council and document completeness, the following is a typical registration journey.
Consultation & Council Selection
Our experts help you confirm the correct Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board for your main line of business, understand the applicable requirements, and estimate the cost and timeline.
Documentation & IEC Readiness
We prepare applicant, business, bank, and product documents, and ensure your IEC, GST, and business registrations are valid and compliant.
Application Filing & Fees
eFileSeva files your application (Form ANF 2C) on the DGFT Common Digital Platform, pays the membership fee, and monitors the application status until processing is complete.
Processing & RCMC Grant
The council verifies the application and documents, and issues the RCMC once approved. You download the certificate from the portal.
Estimated Registration Time
RCMC registration generally takes between 7–15 working days* depending on the council and document completeness. The certificate is valid for 5 financial years and must be renewed before expiry.
Process to Get RCMC Registration in India
Getting an RCMC involves more than just filling an application. From selecting the right council to ensuring your IEC, preparing documents, and staying compliant, eFileSeva provides complete support at every stage of your registration journey.
Choose the Correct Council & Product Category
We confirm the Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board that represents your main line of business, the applicable requirements, and recommend the most suitable approach for your products and target markets.
IEC Readiness & Document Collection
We ensure your IEC is valid, prepare business and bank documents, and collect the product list with HS Codes and any applicable certificates needed.
Application Filing (Form ANF 2C) & Fees
Our experts prepare and submit your application in Form ANF 2C on the DGFT Common Digital Platform, pay the membership fee, monitor the approval process, and respond to queries on your behalf.
Verification & Processing
The council verifies your IEC, business details, and product category. If any document or clarification is required, we respond to the query on your behalf to keep the application moving.
RCMC Grant & Compliance Support
Once the council issues your RCMC, we help you plan renewal, amend details or add new products, pay the annual membership fee, and stay updated with DGFT and FTP scheme requirements.
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Registrations & Licences Related to RCMC Registration
Depending on your product category, target markets, and business structure, you may need additional registrations alongside your RCMC. eFileSeva helps you identify and complete the registrations applicable to your export business.
| Registration / Licence | When It May Apply | Applicable Law / Authority |
|---|---|---|
RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership)Export Promotion Council / Commodity Board Membership |
Required to claim benefits, concessions, and authorisations under the Foreign Trade Policy, and to participate in council-led trade promotion activities. | EPC / Commodity Board / DGFT Foreign Trade Policy |
Import Export Code (IEC)Export / Import Identity |
Mandatory for any import or export activity in India and a prerequisite for RCMC registration and customs clearance. | DGFT Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules |
APEDA RCMCAgricultural & Processed Food Products |
Required for exporters of scheduled agricultural and processed food products, issued through the DGFT portal since July 2023. | APEDA APEDA Act, 1985 |
MPEDA RCMCMarine / Seafood Products |
Required for exporters of marine and seafood products under the MPEDA Act, 1972, serving as the RCMC for marine exporters. | MPEDA MPEDA Act, 1972 |
GST Registration & Business SetupGSTIN & Entity Registration |
Required for trading and export operations, along with the applicable business registration based on your entity structure. | GST / Registrar of Companies Applicable Laws |
RCMC vs IEC: What's the Difference?
An RCMC and an IEC are two different documents that exporters often confuse. Compare the key differences below to understand each clearly.
| Feature | RCMC | IEC |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Full Form / What It Is | Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate — proof of membership with an Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board. | Import Export Code — a 10-digit code identifying the business for any import or export activity. |
| 2. Issuing Authority | Issued by the relevant EPC / Commodity Board under DGFT oversight. | Issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). |
| 3. Mandatory? | Not mandatory for every export, but required to claim FTP benefits and concessions. | Mandatory for any import or export activity in India. |
| 4. Validity | Generally valid for 5 financial years, renewable. | Valid for lifetime (one-time; needs updates for changes). |
| 5. Best Suited For | Exporters claiming incentives, concessions, or scheme benefits. | Any business engaged in import or export transactions. |
Not Sure Whether You Need an RCMC, an IEC, or Both?
Get professional guidance from eFileSeva before starting your registration process.
Talk to an ExpertFrequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about RCMC registration and maintaining it with eFileSeva.
Still Have Questions?
Talk to the eFileSeva team for guidance on registering your export business with the right Export Promotion Council.
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From manufacturer exporters and trading houses to service exporters and startups, exporters across all sectors trust eFileSeva for RCMC registrations, EPC membership, and ongoing compliance.
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