RCMC Registration

Overview

A Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is issued to exporters by the relevant Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board, or the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). It certifies that the exporter is registered with a recognised body dealing in a particular product or service. Most benefits and schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy require a valid RCMC. Applications are now filed through the common e-RCMC module on the DGFT portal.

Objective

To register an exporter with the appropriate council or board so they can access Foreign Trade Policy benefits and export incentives.

Characteristics

• Issued by an Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board, or FIEO based on the product or service line
• Filed digitally through the DGFT e-RCMC platform integrated with the Import Export Code
• Records whether the exporter is a manufacturer exporter or a merchant exporter
• Generally valid for five financial years subject to the issuing body's rules
• Often a prerequisite for claiming incentives and duty benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy

Eligibility

• Holder of a valid Import Export Code issued by DGFT
• Individuals, firms, LLPs, or companies engaged in export of goods or services
• Manufacturer exporters and merchant exporters dealing in the relevant product
• Business declaring a main line of export that matches a recognised council or board

Governing law

• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992
• Foreign Trade Policy
• Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards
• Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)

The process

1. 1
   Confirm the right council

   Identify the Export Promotion Council, Commodity Board, or FIEO that covers your main export product or service.

2. 2
   Prepare IEC and business details

   Keep the Import Export Code, GST, and company documents ready and link them to the DGFT profile.

3. 3
   File on the e-RCMC module

   Submit the application on the DGFT portal, select the issuing agency, and upload supporting documents.

4. 4
   Pay fees and verification

   Pay the membership fee of the chosen body and respond to any queries raised during scrutiny.

5. 5
   Receive the certificate

   The issuing agency approves and generates the RCMC, which reflects in the exporter's DGFT dashboard.

Documents required

• Import Export Code certificate
• PAN of the business or applicant
• GST registration certificate
• Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed, or proprietorship proof
• Bank certificate or cancelled cheque
• Details of the main export product or service

Benefits

• Access to schemes and incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy
• Recognition as a registered exporter with a council or board
• Support, market information, and trade promotion from the issuing body
• Smoother processing of export benefits and duty schemes
• Eligibility to participate in trade fairs and delegations organised by the council

Frequently asked questions