RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate) Explained
What an RCMC is, which Export Promotion Council issues it, and why it matters for claiming export incentives.
Short answer: A Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) proves an Indian exporter is registered with an export promotion council or commodity board. It is needed to claim most Foreign Trade Policy benefits and some authorisations. It is issued by the council for your main product line, usually for five years.
- Issued by
- Export promotion council or commodity board
- Needed for
- Most FTP benefits and some authorisations
- Validity
- Typically five years
What it is
A Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) certifies that an exporter is a registered member of the relevant Export Promotion Council (EPC), commodity board, or export development authority for their product category. It is not required to export at all, but it is generally required to claim most export incentive schemes.
Unlike the IEC, which is product-agnostic, the RCMC is tied to a specific council whose jurisdiction matches what you actually export — a textile exporter and an engineering goods exporter register with different bodies.
Eligibility and how to apply
You generally need an active IEC before applying for an RCMC. Identify the Export Promotion Council or commodity board that covers your product category — this is the part exporters most often get wrong, since some products fall under more than one plausible council. When in doubt, check with the council directly or your trade advisor rather than guessing.
Applications are typically filed with the chosen council along with IEC details, business registration proof, and a declaration of the products you deal in. Validity periods and renewal cycles are set by the individual council, so confirm the current cycle with them rather than assuming a fixed multi-year term.
Common mistakes
Registering with the wrong council for your product category, which can create problems later when claiming a scheme benefit tied to that specific council's jurisdiction. Letting the RCMC lapse without renewing, then finding out only when an incentive claim is rejected.
Assuming RCMC and IEC are the same thing, or that one automatically covers the other — they serve different purposes and are issued by different authorities.
How it must match other documents
Your RCMC should reference the same IEC and business identity as your other registrations. If you're claiming a scheme benefit that references your RCMC, the product category on shipping documents should fall within what your RCMC actually covers.
How Bilexor helps
Bilexor keeps your business and product catalog details consistent across documents, so the identity and product-category information relevant to an RCMC-linked claim stays aligned with what's on your invoices and shipping bills.
Informational only — not legal or DGFT/EPC compliance advice. Confirm which council covers your product, current application steps, and renewal timelines directly with that council before relying on anything here.
Frequently asked questions
Which Export Promotion Council should I register with?
Whichever council's jurisdiction covers your specific product category — this varies by product, and some categories have more than one plausible council. Confirm with the council directly or a trade advisor rather than guessing.
Does an RCMC need to be renewed?
Yes, generally on a cycle set by the issuing council. Confirm the current renewal period with your specific council rather than assuming a fixed term — letting it lapse can affect incentive claims.
Informational only — not legal, banking, tax, or customs advice. Always verify document and LC requirements with your bank, CHA / customs broker, and buyer before presentation.