APEDA (RCMC) Registration- Meaning, Benefits, Process Documents Required etc for APEDA License

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a government organization that was established to develop and promote the export of scheduled products. APEDA is an authority that provides financial assistance, information, and guidelines towards the development of scheduled products. In this article, we have discussed every thing about APEDA (RCMC) Registration / License including documents required, benefits, process of APEDA RCMC Registration in India.

What is APEDA?

APEDA stands for Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is a Government Organization which was established with a purpose of an act for the development and promotion of export for scheduled products.

Purpose / Objective of APEDA

The main objective of APEDA is to promote and develop the export of the schedule products. Central government lays down the rules and regulation regarding the export of such scheduled products and implements through this body for the efficient administration of APEDA Act.

What is APEDA RCMC Registration?

• RCMC stands for Registration Cum Membership Certificate. It is a membership certificate issued by the Export Promotional Councils (EPCs) or Commodity Boards of India. RCMC is a proof that the exporter is registered with the Export Promotional Council / Commodity Boards.
• The application for registration under APEDA shall be made within 1 month from the date of undertaking of export.
• A person can be registered either as a vendor exporter or as a manufacturing exporter.

List of scheduled Products under APEDA Act

It is the responsibility of the APEDA to promote and develop the activities of export of the following mentioned products that are covered as the Scheduled Products Category as per the APEDA Act.

• Meat and meat products
• Fruits, vegetables and their products
• Poultry and poultry products
• Dairy products
• Honey, jaggery and sugar products
• Confectionery, biscuits and bakery products
• Cocoa and its products, including chocolates of every kind.
• Groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts
• Cereal and cereal products
• Pickles, papads and chutneys
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Guar gum
• Herbal and medicinal plants
• Floriculture and Floriculture products
• Along with these products, one of the primary responsibility of the APEDA is to monitor the import of sugar.

Advantages of APEDA Registration

• Firstly, APEDA RCMC Registration is mandatory for the exporters to export scheduled products under APEDA Act.
• Moreover, the Exporter having a RCMC Registration under APEDA Registration, can obtain guidelines for improving the packaging and marketing of the Scheduled Products that are to be exported.
• Also, the exporter who has Registration under APEDA may attend training sessions in various aspects of the industries connected with the Scheduled Products conducted by APEDA
• The exporter may get their name listed as an exporter on the Exporters Directory available on the APEDA website.
• Also, being the exporter may get brand publicity by advertising and promoting the products with the APEDA registration.
• APEDA Registration helps in availing the various financial assistance schemes.

Process for APEDA Registration

• Step 1: Login to Official website of APEDA and register.
• Step 2: Register yourself as member and submit all the necessary details.
• Step 3: OTP shall be sent to your registered Email address and Phone Number for verification.
• Step 4: Once the verification is completed, one needs to prepare the application form by filling up all the necessary information and attaching all the required documents.
• Step 5: Then one needs to pay the prescribed Government fees via the prescribed payment method.
• Step 6: After the payment of the fees successfully, an APEDA Application Number will be generated that would be required for future references.
• Step 7: The final step for getting APEDA Registration process is the approval of the RCMC by the APEDA Officials.
• Step 8: Once the approval is granted, the APEDA RCMC Certificate may be obtained using the APEDA portal.

Once the application duly filed and paid by the applicant, the authority issues Registration -Cum- Membership- Certificate (RCMC) and name is added in APEDA list of members.

Documents Required for APEDA RCMC Registration

• An application form duly signed
• Import-Export code issued by D.G.F.T
• Duly signed Bank certificate
• Latest two months Bank Account statement
• Cancelled cheque of Company’s Bank Account
• If one is registering himself as a Manufacturer Exporter, he must furnish a self-attested copy of the company registration along with certifications from relevant certification agencies for the following products

Certification Agencies for APEDA Registration as per the food product

Validity of APEDA RCMC Registration in India?

• APEDA RCMC Registration is valid for 5 Financial Years.
• After the completion of 5 years, you need to renew your APEDA RCMC certificate.

Having APEDA Registration for the exporter who are dealing in the export of the scheduled products is mandatory. Registered members under APEDA can participate in various training programs organized by APEDA on various scheduled products in several aspects of the Industries and on how to improve their business.