APEDA RCMC Registration (Agricultural Export Promotion)
Statutory council membership for agricultural produce, basmati rice, horticulture, processed food, and poultry exporters.
Overview
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) serves as the designated Export Promotion Council for over 14 major agricultural and agro-industrial commodity groups under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In accordance with the Foreign Trade Policy, holding an APEDA Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a non-negotiable statutory mandate for every exporter handling fresh fruits, vegetables, floriculture, basmati and non-basmati rice, animal and poultry products, dairy products, bakery goods, honey, jaggery, and alcoholic beverages. Beyond acting as a mandatory customs clearance pass at sea and air ports, an APEDA RCMC entitles member exporters to access the Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) financial assistance schemes. Exporters receive substantial government subsidies for packhouse cold chain infrastructure, quality testing reimbursements, international marketing delegations, and freight assistance. JRC Legal manages complete registration and compliance on the unified DGFT e-RCMC system.
Scope of APEDA RCMC Registration Service
Detailed compliance and filing scope managed by JRC corporate experts.
Documents Required for APEDA RCMC Registration
Upload digital files during onboarding. No physical submissions needed.
Export Identity Proofs
- 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 of the authorized partner, director, or proprietor
Food Safety & Banking Proofs
- Bank Certificate / Cancelled Cheque signed by bank manager confirming foreign currency account
- Valid FSSAI Central License covering food manufacturing or export categories
- Factory license / Industrial lease deed (mandatory only for Manufacturer Exporters)
Step-by-Step APEDA RCMC Procedure
Our step-by-step advisory workflow.
Step 1: Product Classification & IEC Audit
We audit your DGFT IEC profile and map your agricultural commodities to APEDA Scheduled Product lists.
Step 2: e-RCMC Application Drafting on DGFT
We draft the online application on the DGFT e-RCMC common portal, attaching bank certificates and FSSAI licenses.
Step 3: Statutory Government Fee Remittance
We execute the official statutory government fee payment of ₹5,900 (inclusive of GST) online.
Step 4: Scrutiny & RCMC Allotment
APEDA regional officers review the application and issue the digitally signed RCMC certificate.
Strategic Benefits of APEDA RCMC Registration
Pass customs export checks, claim infrastructure grants, and access verified foreign agro-buyer directories.
Mandatory Customs Export Clearance
Mandatory statutory clearance to export scheduled agricultural, cereal, meat, and processed food products from Indian ports.
Financial Grants for Cold Chain & Packhouses
Access substantial capital investment subsidies under APEDA’s Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for modern processing infrastructure.
Mandatory for Basmati Rice Shipments
Essential prerequisite to register export contracts and obtain mandatory Certificate of Inspection on the Basmati.Net portal.
International Food Expo Participation
Unlocks subsidized participation in global food trade expos like Gulfood, SIAL, and Anuga under official Indian pavilions.
Multi-Year 5-Year Membership Tenure
Provides long-term regulatory clearance valid across 5 financial years, ensuring uninterrupted commercial exports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers to common regulatory inquiries.
What is the government fee for APEDA RCMC registration?▼
The official statutory registration fee charged by APEDA is ₹5,000 plus 18% GST (totaling ₹5,900) for a standard 5-year membership tenure.
Can an exporter hold both FIEO RCMC and APEDA RCMC?▼
An exporter can hold multiple RCMCs if they export across diverse industries. However, for exporting scheduled agricultural and processed food products, APEDA RCMC is specifically mandatory under the Foreign Trade Policy.
What is the validity period of an APEDA RCMC?▼
An APEDA RCMC is valid for a period of 5 financial years from the date of issuance, renewable at the end of the 5-year term.
Is an FSSAI Central License mandatory to obtain an APEDA RCMC?▼
Yes. Since APEDA regulates human food products, possessing a valid FSSAI Central License (under the "Exporter" category) is mandatory before applying for an APEDA RCMC.
How long does it take to obtain the APEDA RCMC certificate?▼
Upon submission of complete documentation and fee payment on the DGFT e-RCMC portal, APEDA typically processes and issues the certificate within 3 to 7 working days.
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