The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, with a view to give proper direction, guidance and encouragement to the Services Sector set up an exclusive Export Promotion Council for Services in the name of Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC). The Council since its inception in 2006 has been instrumental in facilitating exports of services. SEPC has following broad roles and responsibilities:
The RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate) is an authorization document for importing or exporting restricted products according to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). Typically, the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, and Export Development Authorities established by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for each restricted product issue this certificate.
Moreover, it functions as proof of membership or registration of an exporter with a specific EPC, commodity board, or export development authority. The RCMC is essential to benefit from concessions provided under the FTP for importing or exporting restricted goods.
VS IPR & LEGAL ADVISORS, as a professional service provider, can assist businesses in obtaining RCMC registration quickly and efficiently. We have years of experience handling RCMC registrations and can provide end-to-end support to our clients.
The Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) validates an exporter dealing with products registered with an agency or organization authorized by the Indian Government. This certificate indicates that the exporter is registered with the authorized agency or organization.
The RCMC registration serves several purposes.
The Council since its inception in 2006 has been instrumental in facilitating exports of services through the following services:
Before applying for RCMC registration, the exporter or merchandiser must confirm that their business deals with imports and exports. This is one of the key requirements for starting a manufacturing company in India. Additionally, the exporter must prove they have applied for an Import Export Code (IEC) from the authorized authority. The DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade) regulates the IEC.
In the Business Main Line Declaration, the exporter or merchant must specify their primary business line. For instance, if their main business is dealing with coffee and tea products, they need to consult the Tea and Coffee Promotion Board. In case there is no export promotion board or regulatory agency for the commodities dealt with by the exporter, this needs to be mentioned as well.
The applicant must obtain the necessary board permission or clearance from FIEO. If no specialized board is available for a specific product, the applicant needs to apply for approval to FIEO. In addition, obtaining FIEO authorization is also required for RCMC registration.
Obtaining a Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) offers several benefits to exporters. Some of these benefits include:
The Registering Authorities responsible for issuing the RCMC Certificate are empowered by the DGFT. These authorities include the Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and Export Development Authority.
Their primary function is to promote and develop the Indian export industry, and each authority is responsible for promoting a particular group of products.
The DGFT currently authorizes 35 organizations to issue the RCMC certificate, including 27 Export Promotion Councils, 6 Commodity Boards, and 2 Development Authorities, which work towards promoting the import/export of restricted items.
These authorities are categorized based on the type of products they deal with. Each of India’s Export Promotion Councils and commodities boards categorizes itself according to the Type of products.
Export Promotion Councils:
If an export product is not covered by any Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board, the exporter can obtain the RCMC from the Federation of Indian Exporters Organization (FIEO).
If the exporter deals with multi-products and the situation are unresolved, they can also obtain RCMC from FIEO.
For exporters of handicrafts and handloom products from Jammu & Kashmir, the Director of Handicrafts, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, is authorized to issue the RCMC.
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The RCMC remains valid starting from the issuance date on the 1st of April of the licensing year and is valid for One – five years, concluding on the 31st of March.
The application form for RCMC must be accompanied by several mandatory documents, including:
1) Company Pan, COI, MOA & AOA.
2) MSME
3) Import Export Certificate
4) GST Certificate
5) Cancel Cheque
6) All Director self-attested & colour Pan, Aadhaar, Photo, mail id & phone number
7) Applicant Self attested & colour Voter id or passport
8) Digital Signature class 3 (Organization based)
9) Import export details
(Products) (Importing / Exporting from / to which country).
10) Website (if any)
11) Mail & Phone number registered with IEC
12) IEC login id & password.
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The online RCMC application process is available for various types of exporters and importers, including:
This type of membership is suitable for businesses new to the export and import industry and looking for basic membership.
This membership is for entities involved in the export and import trade for a significant period and has an established business. The fee for associate membership is higher than ordinary membership and includes a small amount of GST.
This membership is for companies with a significant share in India’s total exports and substantially contributed to India’s international trade.
This membership is for companies that have demonstrated consistent export growth and earned significant foreign exchange.
This membership is for companies engaged in import and export activities with an annual turnover of at least INR 100 crores.
Compliance with the Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is mandatory for exporters who wish to participate in various government schemes and programs related to exports. Some of the important compliance requirements related to RCMC are as follows:
 The RCMC is valid for five years, after which it needs to be renewed. Failure to renew the RCMC can result in non-compliance.
Exporters must adhere to the export-import policy guidelines and conditions related to the RCMC issued by the DGFT.
Exporters must submit their annual export data to the DGFT as required. Failure to do so can result in the suspension or cancellation of the RCMC.
Exporters must comply with the customs regulations and procedures related to the export of goods. Non-compliance can result in penalties and other legal actions.
Exporters must comply with the various foreign trade regulations related to the export of goods, such as compliance with export control regulations, sanctions, and embargoes.
Exporters must adhere to the quality standards specified by the importing country for exporting goods.
Exporters must maintain records related to their export transactions and comply with the record-keeping requirements of the DGFT.
Compliance with RCMC requirements is essential for exporters to participate in various export-related schemes and programs and to avoid penalties and legal actions.
RCMC Registration Procedure: DGFT Common Digital Platform for filing of RCMC
The DGFT has recently launched the e-RCMC module as part of its IT revamp project. This module is a common digital platform designed to provide exporters, importers, and issuing agencies with single-point access for RCMC/RC-related processes, including new/modified/renewal RCMC/RC applications. The primary aim of this platform is to offer an electronic, contactless single window for RCMC/RC-related processes, making obtaining RCMC certificates simpler and more efficient.
At VS IPR & LEGAL ADVISORS, We can assist in filing the RCMC application online through the DGFT’s e-RCMC module. We can ensure that the application is filed correctly and that the applicant receives the RCMC certificate as soon as possible.
VS IPR & LEGAL ADVISORS can provide reliable and efficient assistance to businesses seeking their RCMC registration. Our experience, expertise, and dedication to client satisfaction make us a good choice for businesses seeking RCMC registration services.
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