What is RCMC & Types of RCMC — Registration Cum Membership Certificate
An RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate) is a certificate that registers an exporter as a member of the relevant Export Promotion Council (EPC), commodity board or authority. It is often required to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy and to establish an exporter’s bona fides. This guide explains what it is and its types.
What is an RCMC?
Issued under the Foreign Trade Policy, the RCMC certifies that an exporter is registered with the EPC/board that governs their product. Exporters typically need it to avail export incentives/schemes, participate in council programs, and as supporting proof for various export-related approvals. It complements the Import Export Code (IEC), which is the basic requirement to export.
Types of RCMC — by the issuing authority
There isn’t one RCMC; the “type” depends on which council/board issues it, based on your product:
- Product-specific Export Promotion Councils — e.g., councils for engineering goods, chemicals, textiles/apparel, gems & jewellery, pharmaceuticals, services, etc.
- Commodity boards — e.g., for tea, coffee, spices, rubber, tobacco.
- Statutory authorities — e.g., APEDA (agricultural & processed foods), MPEDA (marine products).
- FIEO — the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, often for exporters of products not covered by a specific council (and for multi-product/service exporters).
You register with the council relevant to your export product to get the corresponding RCMC.
How to get an RCMC (in brief)
- Obtain your IEC first.
- Identify the relevant EPC/board for your product.
- Apply (now largely through the DGFT common digital platform) with IEC, business and product details and fee.
- Receive the RCMC valid for the prescribed period, renewable thereafter.
TAXAJ assists with export registrations and RCMC.
Frequently asked questions
What is an RCMC used for?
To register an exporter with the relevant Export Promotion Council/board and to avail FTP benefits and export scheme incentives.
How many types of RCMC are there?
It varies by the issuing authority — different EPCs, commodity boards, APEDA/MPEDA, and FIEO — chosen based on your export product.
Do I need an IEC before an RCMC?
Yes — the IEC is the basic export requirement; the RCMC is obtained after and in addition to it.
Starting exports? TAXAJ gets your IEC and the right RCMC for your product. Get export-ready with TAXAJ →
Related guides: Import Export Code · LUT for exports · Government registrations
