APEDA Registration (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export)
Mandatory Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) for exporting scheduled agro-food products under the APEDA Act, 1985.
Overview
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory authority established by the Government of India under the APEDA Act, 1985, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), obtaining an APEDA Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a non-negotiable statutory prerequisite for any merchant exporter, manufacturer exporter, or business entity intending to export any scheduled agricultural and processed food commodity from India. APEDA’s schedule encompasses a massive cross-section of India’s agri-export economy: fresh fruits and vegetables, floriculture, basmati and non-basmati rice, animal and poultry meat products, dairy items, confectionery, biscuits, bakery goods, honey, jaggery, cocoa products, alcoholic beverages, and cereal preparations. Beyond granting legal clearance at Indian customs checkpoints, APEDA membership unlocks substantial financial subsidies under the Agriculture Export Policy (AEP), including financial assistance for packhouse infrastructure, cold chain technology, international trade fair participation, and air freight subsidies. JRC Legal manages rapid APEDA RCMC registration and export facilitation for agro-exporters nationwide.
Scope of APEDA Registration Service
Detailed compliance and filing scope managed by JRC corporate experts.
Documents Required for APEDA Registration
Upload digital files during onboarding. No physical submissions needed.
Export Entity Identification
- Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
- Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / Udyam MSME Registration Certificate
- PAN Card and Aadhaar Card / Passport of authorized partner or director
Banking & Operational Records
- Bank Certificate / Cancelled Cheque signed by the branch manager confirming foreign exchange account details
- Valid FSSAI Central License (covering food manufacturing or export classification)
- Factory license or pollution clearance (mandatory only if applying as a Manufacturer Exporter)
Step-by-Step APEDA Registration Procedure
Our step-by-step advisory workflow.
Step 1: IEC Validation & Product Mapping
We audit your DGFT IEC profile and map your export commodities to APEDA Scheduled Product categories.
Step 2: Electronic Application Drafting
We draft the RCMC application on the APEDA portal, upload bank certificates, FSSAI licenses, and director KYC.
Step 3: Statutory Government Fee Payment
We execute the official statutory government membership fee payment online.
Step 4: Scrutiny & RCMC Certificate Issuance
APEDA officials verify documents and issue the digitally signed Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC).
Strategic Benefits of APEDA Registration
Export agricultural commodities legally, claim central financial subsidies, and access verified global buyer networks.
Mandatory Clearance for Scheduled Agri Exports
Mandatory legal requirement to pass ICEGATE customs scrutiny when exporting fruits, vegetables, basmati rice, and processed foods.
Access to Lucrative APEDA Financial Assistance Schemes
Unlocks substantial central government grants for packhouse cold storage setup, quality testing, and international export promotion.
International Trade Fair & B2B Buyer Matching
Enables participation in government-subsidized delegations to prestigious global food expos like Gulfood Dubai, SIAL Paris, and Foodex Tokyo.
Mandatory for Exporting Basmati Rice (Basmati.Net)
Essential prerequisite to register export contracts and generate mandatory Certificate of Inspection on the Basmati.Net portal.
Perpetual 5-Year Membership Validity
APEDA RCMC is granted with multi-year validity, ensuring uninterrupted export operations without recurring annual paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers to common regulatory inquiries.
Is APEDA registration mandatory if I already hold a DGFT Import Export Code (IEC)?▼
Yes. An IEC is a generic identification number required for any foreign trade. However, under Paragraph 2.55 of the Foreign Trade Policy, if you intend to export any scheduled agricultural or processed food commodity, holding an active RCMC from APEDA is strictly mandatory to clear customs.
What is the validity period of an APEDA RCMC?▼
An APEDA Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is valid for a period of 5 financial years from the date of issuance. It can be renewed at the end of 5 years by submitting renewal forms and paying statutory renewal fees.
What is the official government fee for APEDA registration?▼
The official statutory registration fee charged by APEDA is ₹5,000 (plus applicable 18% GST, totaling ₹5,900) for a 5-year membership tenure.
What is the difference between a Merchant Exporter and a Manufacturer Exporter under APEDA?▼
A Merchant Exporter is a trading entity that procures agricultural goods from third-party farmers or processors to export overseas. A Manufacturer Exporter owns or leases the physical processing facility and holds industrial factory licenses and FSSAI manufacturing licenses in their own name.
What are the major scheduled products covered under APEDA?▼
Scheduled products include: fresh fruits and vegetables; floriculture products; basmati and non-basmati rice; meat and poultry products; dairy products; confectionery, biscuits, and bakery items; honey, jaggery, and sugar products; cocoa products; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; and cereal preparations.
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Corporate filings managed directly by certified Chartered Accountants & Company Secretaries.
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