If you're planning to export agricultural or processed food items from India, securing an APEDA Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is essential. Issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the RCMC validates your status as a recognized exporter in the agri-food sector.
This certificate not only grants exporters legal recognition but also enables them to access various government schemes, export benefits, and market development assistance. Whether you're exporting fruits, vegetables, cereals, spices, meat, honey, or processed food items, APEDA registration ensures you meet both domestic compliance and international quality standards, boosting your credibility in global markets.
APEDA is a statutory body formed to promote and support the export of agricultural and processed food products. To be eligible for export-related assistance and incentives under India’s Foreign Trade Policy, exporters in this category must obtain an RCMC from APEDA.
RCMC from APEDA is mandatory only for exporters of the scheduled products listed under the APEDA Act, 1985 -- covering categories like fruits and vegetables, processed foods, meat, poultry, dairy, and cereals. Exporters dealing exclusively in non-scheduled agricultural products are not required to obtain APEDA RCMC, though other export registrations may still apply.
An APEDA RCMC is generally valid for five years from the date of issue. Exporters must apply for renewal before expiry to continue availing APEDA's export benefits and scheme assistance without interruption.
Yes. A valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT is a prerequisite for APEDA RCMC registration, since the RCMC application is filed against an existing IEC and reflects the exporter's registered scheduled product categories.
RCMC holders can access APEDA's financial assistance schemes for infrastructure development, quality certification, packaging, and marketing, participate in APEDA-organized trade fairs and buyer-seller meets, and use the certificate as proof of exporter status for customs and banking purposes.
Yes, an exporter can register for multiple scheduled product categories under a single APEDA RCMC, provided each category is specifically declared at the time of application or added subsequently through an amendment request.
Yes, an initial consultation is available to assess your product category eligibility and walk through the documentation and application process. You can call +91-9815580037 and ask for Mr. Harish Tiwari to schedule a discussion with the team.