The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is an essential document for exporters in India. It is issued by Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, or Development Authorities and confirms that an exporter is registered with a recognized export promotion body.
RCMC registration enables exporters to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and participate in various export promotion programs. Exporters can apply for RCMC registration online through the DGFT portal using the e-RCMC module.
RCMC stands for Registration-cum-Membership Certificate. It is issued to exporters dealing with specific products or services and serves as proof that the exporter is registered with the relevant Export Promotion Council.
Exporters must obtain RCMC from the council related to their main export product. If the export product is not covered by any council, exporters may obtain RCMC from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).
RCMC registration is required for:
RCMC allows exporters to claim benefits under various schemes of the Foreign Trade Policy.
Exporters can participate in:
Export Promotion Councils represent exporters before government authorities and help address industry concerns.
Members receive guidance, market intelligence, and export opportunities for international trade.
To apply for RCMC registration, exporters must have:
Visit the official DGFT portal and login using your username, password and captcha.
Go to:
Services → e-RCMC → Apply for e-RCMC
Click on Start Fresh Application or continue with an existing draft.
The system will verify whether your IEC profile is updated. Confirm and proceed.
Provide the required information including:
Add details such as:
Provide contact details of:
Enter company details including export markets, firm profile, and company website.
Upload documents such as:
Read the declaration carefully and confirm that all details provided are correct.
Sign the application using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and pay applicable fees through the online payment gateway.
After submission, the portal generates:
The application will then be reviewed by the relevant Export Promotion Council.
RCMC is generally valid for five financial years, starting from 1 April of the licensing year and ending on 31 March of the fifth year.
After expiry, exporters must apply for RCMC renewal.
Exporters can track the application status through the DGFT portal:
My Dashboard → Submitted Applications → Track Application Status
Yes, exporters must obtain RCMC to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Yes, exporters can apply online through the DGFT e-RCMC module.
Processing time generally ranges between 3 to 10 working days depending on the Export Promotion Council.
Usually exporters obtain RCMC from the council related to their primary line of export business.
If the RCMC expires, exporters must apply for renewal through the DGFT portal.
For official updates, always refer to the DGFT portal or consult with a compliance professional.