RCMC / Export Promotion Council Membership
Membership of your Export Promotion Council, needed for export benefits.
Reviewed by CA Hitendra Pal Singh· company law, tax and complianceLast reviewed
To claim Foreign Trade Policy benefits — RoDTEP, EPCG, advance authorisation — an exporter must hold a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate from the council or commodity board for its product. There are more than thirty councils and boards, and the wrong one is a rejected application. The e-RCMC is issued through the DGFT portal and runs for five financial years.
What is included
- Council or board identification for your product
- e-RCMC application on the DGFT portal
- Council membership formalities
- Certificate download and renewal reminder
What we will need from you
- IEC and GST certificate
- PAN and Certificate of Incorporation or partnership deed
- Manufacturer’s licence, Udyam or factory proof for manufacturer-exporters
- Board resolution or authorisation
- Class 3 DSC
How long it takes
Typically 7–15 working days.
Timelines are typical, not guaranteed. Government processing times vary, and a query from the officer adds to them. We will tell you where yours stands.
Common questions
I export several unrelated products — how many RCMCs?
One per council whose products you export; a merchant exporter of miscellaneous goods can register with FIEO.
Does APEDA or the Spices Board count?
Yes. For their scheduled products the board’s registration is the RCMC — see APEDA Registration.