CLE Registration (Council for Leather Exports - RCMC)
Mandatory export registration and RCMC for finished leather, leather footwear, leather garments, saddlery, and luxury leather goods.
Overview
The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is the apex trade promotion organization for the Indian leather and footwear industry, operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry from its headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. India is the second-largest producer and consumer of footwear in the world and one of the largest producers of finished leather, with major processing clusters in Chennai, Ambur, Ranipet, Kanpur, Agra, Kolkata, and Jalandhar. Under Chapter 2 of the Foreign Trade Policy, holding an active CLE Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a mandatory statutory requirement for every exporter shipping finished leather hides, dress shoes, boots, sneakers, leather jackets, handbags, wallets, gloves, belts, and equestrian saddlery products. A CLE RCMC is essential to claim RoDTEP and Duty Drawback remissions, import duty-free critical embellishments, buckles, and chemicals under the Special Duty Exemption Scheme, and access zero-duty machinery imports under EPCG. Member exporters participate in prestigious global leather expos like Lineapelle Milan, Expo Riva Schuh Italy, and APLF Hong Kong. JRC Legal manages complete CLE RCMC registration on the DGFT e-RCMC portal.
Scope of CLE RCMC Registration Service
Detailed compliance and filing scope managed by JRC corporate experts.
Documents Required for CLE RCMC 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 of authorized director, partner, or proprietor
Banking & Factory Proofs
- Bank Certificate signed and sealed by bank manager confirming foreign currency account
- Chartered Accountant certified export turnover certificate for the past 3 fiscal years
- Factory license / SPCB Consent to Operate / Tannery lease deed (for Manufacturer Exporters)
Step-by-Step CLE RCMC Procedure
Our step-by-step advisory workflow.
Step 1: Product Panel Mapping & IEC Audit
We audit your leather product catalog against CLE’s 5 commodity panels and determine Merchant vs. Manufacturer status.
Step 2: Electronic Application Drafting on DGFT e-RCMC
We draft the application on the DGFT e-RCMC portal, attaching bank certificates, CA turnover proofs, and director KYC.
Step 3: Statutory Membership Fee Payment
We execute the official statutory government fee payment online based on your export turnover tier.
Step 4: Scrutiny & Digital RCMC Allotment
CLE scrutiny officers in Chennai review the dossier and issue the digital Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC).
Strategic Benefits of CLE RCMC Registration
Claim RoDTEP export tax remissions, import specialized shoe components duty-free, and supply luxury global brands.
Mandatory Customs Clearance for Leather Exports
Mandatory statutory requirement to clear Indian port customs when shipping finished leather, footwear, garments, and saddlery.
Duty-Free Import of Footwear Embellishments & Trims
Enables duty-free import of critical shoe components, linings, zippers, buckles, and finishing chemicals under FTP exemption schemes.
Claim RoDTEP & Duty Drawback Export Refunds
Enables leather and footwear exporters to claim substantial central tax rebates under the RoDTEP scheme on foreign consignments.
Subsidized Booths at Global Leather & Footwear Expos
Exhibit at premier global leather trade fairs like Expo Riva Schuh Italy, Lineapelle Milan, and APLF Dubai under Indian pavilions.
Government IFLADP & Tannery Modernization Subsidies
Access capital investment grants under the Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLADP) for tannery modernization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers to common regulatory inquiries.
Which product categories are covered under the Council for Leather Exports (CLE)?▼
CLE covers five core leather sectors: (1) Finished Leather, (2) Leather Footwear (formal shoes, boots, athletic footwear, sandals), (3) Footwear Components (soles, heels, uppers), (4) Leather Garments (jackets, pants, coats), and (5) Leather Goods & Accessories (handbags, wallets, belts, gloves, saddlery and harness).
What is the validity period of a CLE RCMC?▼
A CLE RCMC is valid for a period of 5 financial years from the date of issuance, subject to annual membership subscription renewals.
What are the membership fees for CLE?▼
Membership fees are tiered based on export turnover: for new and small MSME exporters with turnover under ₹50 Lakhs, annual membership starts around ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 plus GST, scaling up for large industrial tanneries and footwear factories.
Can raw hides and skins be exported under CLE?▼
Under Indian export regulations, the export of raw hides and wet blue semi-processed skins is either strictly prohibited or subject to heavy export duties to encourage domestic value addition. Exports are concentrated in Finished Leather and manufactured goods.
What is the IFLADP scheme linked with CLE?▼
The Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLADP) is a central government scheme offering financial grants (up to 30% capital subsidy) for technology modernizations, green tanneries, and mega leather parks, requiring CLE membership to access.
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Corporate filings managed directly by certified Chartered Accountants & Company Secretaries.
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