Think of it this way: your IEC is your trade ID, and your RCMC is proof you belong to a recognised export body for your line of business. The RCMC is what gives you access to Foreign Trade Policy benefits — duty schemes, incentives and official guidance — so it's a key second step after the IEC.
What is an RCMC?
RCMC stands for Registration-cum-Membership Certificate. It's issued by an Export Promotion Council (EPC), commodity board or development authority — collectively the "registering authority" for your product category. It signals that you're a recognised, registered exporter in your sector.
Which council do you register with?
The right body depends on what you export. A few common ones:
| If you export… | Register with |
|---|---|
| Agricultural & processed food | APEDA |
| Spices | Spice Board |
| Pharmaceuticals | Pharmexcil |
| Plastics | PLEXCONCIL |
| Multiple unrelated products | FIEO |
You register with only one EPC per product category. If your business focus shifts, you move your RCMC to the council that fits. Multi-product exporters with no single matching council can register with FIEO (the Federation of Indian Export Organisations).
Documents you'll typically need
- Active IEC with an updated profile
- GST registration certificate
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar e-Sign to submit
- Board resolution or Power of Attorney, if the signatory isn't named in the IEC
- CA-certified export figures, where required
How long is it valid?
Do you actually need one?
Not every exporter is legally required to hold an RCMC, but it's strongly recommended: without it you can't access Advance Authorisation, the EPCG scheme, or various duty exemptions. If you plan to use any government incentive, get the RCMC.