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How to Choose the Right Export Promotion Council (EPC) for Your Product

Pick the wrong council and your RCMC application can be queried or rejected. This guide shows exactly how to match your product to the right EPC, commodity board or FIEO, and how we file the RCMC for you.

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Filed within 24-48 hours of complete documents
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Main Lineof business decides your council

RCMC Registration Plan

RCMC Registration Package

₹2,999/- + Govt. Fee on actual basis

Eligibility & product coverage check
Document review & RCMC application filing
Support on scrutiny queries

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Council fees vary and are paid at actuals

Quick Answer

Which Export Promotion Council should I choose for my product?

Choose the Export Promotion Council (EPC) that covers your main line of business, meaning the product that makes up most of your exports. Under the Handbook of Procedures 2023, an exporter declares that main line in the RCMC application and obtains the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate from the council concerned with it.

There are three situations to know. If your product is governed by a commodity board or authority, such as APEDA, the Spices Board, the Tea Board or the Coffee Board, you register with that body. If no council covers your product, or you export several products with no clear main line, you can obtain the RCMC from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). Otherwise, match your product's HS code to the council that lists it.

Key takeaways

Your council is decided by your main line of business, not your company name or location.
Products under APEDA, Spices Board, Tea Board and similar bodies need that body's own registration.
FIEO is the fallback when no council covers your product or your product mix has no clear main line.
You need an active IEC before applying, and the council fee varies, so it is paid at actuals.

How to choose the right Export Promotion Council EPC and get RCMC - your gateway to global markets — The right Export Promotion Council gives your RCMC the access to global markets that exporters need.

The Basics

What an Export Promotion Council does and why your RCMC matters

An EPC is a non-profit body set up under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to promote exports of a particular product group. The RCMC is your membership certificate with it.

Needed for key Foreign Trade Policy benefits

The RCMC is required when you apply for benefits such as Advance Authorisation and EPCG under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Not needed for every scheme

Post-export remission schemes such as duty drawback, RoSCTL and RoDTEP can be claimed without an RCMC under the Handbook of Procedures 2023.

Trade fairs and buyer access

Councils organise trade fairs, delegations and buyer-seller meets for their product group, which members can join.

Market intelligence for your product

Members get sector-specific market information, policy updates and guidance relevant to their products.

Open to new exporters too

Prospective exporters can apply to become associate members of a council before their first shipment.

Credibility with buyers and banks

A valid RCMC shows you belong to a recognised export body for your product, which helps with buyers and lenders.

Step-by-Step

How to choose the right Export Promotion Council in 5 steps

Follow these steps in order. Most exporters can settle on the right council in a few minutes.

Step 1

Identify your main line of business

List what you export and pick the product that accounts for the largest share of your export value or planned exports.

Step 2

Find the HS code of that product

Note the 8-digit ITC-HS code of your main product, since councils publish coverage by product and code.

Step 3

Check for a commodity board

See whether a board or authority such as APEDA, Spices Board, Tea Board or Coffee Board governs the product.

Step 4

Match the product to its EPC

If no board applies, find the council whose product list includes your HS code using the table below.

Step 5

Use FIEO if nothing fits

If no council covers your product, or you have several products with no clear main line, register with FIEO.

EPC Finder

Which Export Promotion Council covers which product

A quick reference to the main councils. Always confirm the exact product list on the council's own website before applying.

If you export	Council	Short name
Readymade garments and apparel	Apparel Export Promotion Council	AEPC
Cotton yarn, fabrics and made-ups	Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council	TEXPROCIL
Synthetic and rayon textiles	Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council	SRTEPC
Wool and woollen products	Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council	WWEPC
Handloom products	Handloom Export Promotion Council	HEPC
Silk products	Indian Silk Export Promotion Council	ISEPC
Carpets	Carpet Export Promotion Council	CEPC
Handicrafts	Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts	EPCH
Leather and leather products	Council for Leather Exports	CLE
Machinery, auto parts and engineering goods	Engineering Export Promotion Council	EEPC India
Gems and jewellery	Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council	GJEPC
Pharmaceuticals	Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India	Pharmexcil
Basic chemicals and cosmetics	Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council	CHEMEXCIL
Plastic products	Plastics Export Promotion Council	PLEXCONCIL
Sports goods	Sports Goods Export Promotion Council	SGEPC
Electronics and computer software	Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council	ESC
Services	Services Export Promotion Council	SEPC
Shellac and forest products	Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council	SHEFEXIL

This is a representative list, not every council. Coverage is by product and HS code, so some products sit under a council you might not expect.

Check This First

Commodity boards and authorities that issue their own RCMC

Some products are governed by a commodity board or development authority instead of an EPC. Their registrations carry their own force, so check this before you pick a council.

Product area	Registering body
Agricultural and processed food products	APEDA
Spices	Spices Board
Tea	Tea Board
Coffee	Coffee Board
Marine products	MPEDA
Rubber	Rubber Board

Exporting food or agricultural products? See our guide to APEDA registration for agri and food exporters.

Worked Examples

Choosing a council in common exporter situations

Real-world setups rarely fit one tidy category. Here is how the rules apply in six common cases.

You export one product

Choose the product's own council

You export several products, one dominates

Declare the dominant product as your main line of business and join its council.

Choose the main-line council

Several products, no clear main line

If you are not registered with any council and cannot settle a main line, the rules allow FIEO.

FIEO is an option

No council covers your product

Where no EPC or commodity board covers the product, the RCMC is obtained from FIEO.

Choose FIEO

Multi-product exporter based in the North East

The RCMC may be obtained from the Shellac and Forest Products EPC, except for products looked after by APEDA, Spices Board and Tea Board.

SHEFEXIL is an option

You have not exported yet

Prospective exporters can apply to be associate members of a council for the product they plan to export.

Associate membership

Side-by-Side

EPC vs commodity board vs FIEO

All three can issue an RCMC, but they cover different things and suit different exporters.

Aspect	Export Promotion Council	Commodity Board / Authority	FIEO
Covers	A specific product group	A specific commodity	Products no council covers, and multi-product exporters
Examples	AEPC, EEPC, GJEPC, CLE	APEDA, Spices Board, Tea Board	FIEO
Use when	Your main product falls under a council	Your product is governed by a board	No council fits, or no clear main line
Applied through	DGFT e-RCMC	DGFT e-RCMC or the board's process	DGFT e-RCMC
Fee	Varies by council	Varies by board	Varies

Fees

RCMC fee: what you pay us and what you pay the council

The council fee is not a fixed national figure, which is why it is charged on an actual basis.

Component	Amount	Notes
SetupFiling RCMC Registration Package	₹2,999/-	Eligibility and product coverage check, document review, application filing and support on scrutiny queries
Council or board membership fee	On actual basis	Set by the council, and can depend on the council, your category and sometimes your turnover

We confirm the exact council fee for your product before you pay it, so there are no surprises.

Before You Apply

Documents required for an RCMC application

Keep clear scans of these ready. Details must match exactly across all documents, since mismatches are a common reason for queries.

Active Import Export Code (IEC)
PAN of the business
GST Registration Certificate
Incorporation certificate, partnership deed or proprietor proof
Cancelled cheque or bank certificate
Address proof of the business premises
List of export products with HS codes
Declaration of your main line of business
Digital signature or Aadhaar e-sign access
Business email ID and mobile number

Process

How to apply for your RCMC with us

Three steps from order to filed application, with no courier and no office visit.

Step 1

Place your order

Tap Apply Now to choose the RCMC Registration Package and pay securely.

Step 2

Submit your documents

Email them to help@setupfiling.in or WhatsApp them to +91 98182 09246.

Step 3

Get your application filed

We confirm the right council and file your RCMC application within 24-48 hours of receiving complete documents.

After Filing

What happens after your RCMC application is filed

Issuance depends on the council's scrutiny, so timing varies by council and by how complete the documents are.

Day 1-2

Application submitted on the DGFT portal

Your IEC details, main line of business, product list, documents and fee payment are submitted with your e-sign.

Scrutiny

The council reviews the application

The council checks that your product falls under its coverage and that your documents are consistent.

If queried

Clarifications are answered

If the council asks for a correction or an extra document, we help you respond so the file can move forward.

On approval

RCMC issued

The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate is issued and can be downloaded from the portal.

Ongoing

Renew and keep details updated

An RCMC has a validity period and must be renewed, and changes in name, address or constitution should be reported promptly.

Avoid Delays

Common mistakes when choosing an EPC

Most RCMC problems come from picking the wrong body or inconsistent details. These are the errors to avoid.

Choosing by company name

A company called "Global Textiles" that mainly exports machinery belongs with the engineering council, not a textile one.

Ignoring commodity boards

Food, spices, tea, coffee and marine products have their own bodies. Applying to an EPC for them leads to rejection.

Using the wrong HS code

A wrong code points you to the wrong council and triggers queries. Confirm the code before you apply.

Assuming one RCMC covers everything

The RCMC is tied to your main line of business. Products governed by a commodity board may need a separate registration.

Mismatched business details

Differences between the IEC, PAN, GST and constitution documents are the most common cause of scrutiny queries.

Not updating after a change

If your main line of business, address or constitution changes, the RCMC details should be amended to match.

Do It Yourself vs Professional Filing

Why exporters get help choosing and filing their RCMC

The portal is online, but selecting the right body and keeping documents consistent is where applications go wrong.

Applying yourself

Time spent working out which council covers your HS code

Risk of picking an EPC when a commodity board applies

Unsure how to declare a main line of business for mixed products

No help if the council raises a scrutiny query

Applying with SetupFiling.in

Eligibility and product coverage checked before you pay

Right council, board or FIEO identified for your product

Documents reviewed and application filed within 24-48 hours

WhatsApp support if queries come up

Know the Terms

Export promotion terms worth knowing

EPCExport Promotion Council, a body set up to promote exports of a specific product group.

RCMCRegistration-cum-Membership Certificate issued by a council, board or authority to its registered members.

FIEOFederation of Indian Export Organisations, which issues RCMCs where no council covers the product or no main line exists.

Main Line of BusinessThe product forming the largest share of your exports, which decides the council you register with.

ITC-HS CodeThe product classification code used to identify goods and match them to a council's coverage.

Associate MemberA prospective exporter who joins a council before starting exports.

Related Services

Other registrations an exporter usually needs

Set up the rest of your export paperwork in one place.

Get your Import Export Code (IEC) Register with APEDA for food exports Register for GST before exporting File a Letter of Undertaking for zero-rated exports Obtain an MSME registration certificate Incorporate your export business Get Startup India recognition Apply for an FSSAI central license Protect your export brand with a trademark Check trademark registration fees File your GST annual return Check secure online payment options See all business registration services

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right Export Promotion Council for my product?

Identify your main line of business, find the HS code of that product, check whether a commodity board governs it, and then register with the council whose coverage includes that code. If no council fits, register with FIEO.

What is a main line of business for RCMC?

It is the product that makes up the largest share of your exports. You declare it in the RCMC application and obtain the certificate from the council concerned with that product.

What if I export products that fall under different councils?

Register with the council covering your main line of business. If you are not registered with any council and cannot settle a main line, you may obtain the RCMC from FIEO.

Which council should I join if no EPC covers my product?

Where an export product is not covered by any Export Promotion Council or commodity board, the RCMC is obtained from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

Is an RCMC compulsory for every exporter?

It is required to claim certain Foreign Trade Policy benefits, such as Advance Authorisation and EPCG. Post-export schemes like duty drawback, RoSCTL and RoDTEP can be claimed without it, but commodity-board registrations carry their own requirements.

Do I need an IEC before applying for an RCMC?

Yes. An active Import Export Code is needed to apply through the DGFT e-RCMC system.

How much does RCMC registration cost?

Our RCMC Registration Package is ₹2,999. The council or board fee is separate, varies by council, and is paid on an actual basis.

Can I become a member of an EPC before I start exporting?

Yes. Prospective or potential exporters can apply to become associate members of an Export Promotion Council.

Is APEDA an Export Promotion Council?

No. APEDA is a development authority for agricultural and processed food products, and it issues its own RCMC. Exporters of its scheduled products register with APEDA.

Where do I apply for an RCMC?

RCMC applications are made online through the DGFT e-RCMC system, selecting the council or authority that covers your main line of business.

What documents are needed for an RCMC application?

Typically the IEC, PAN, GST Certificate, constitution documents, a cancelled cheque or bank certificate, address proof, a product list with HS codes, a main-line-of-business declaration and e-sign access.

How long does it take to get an RCMC?

We file your application within 24-48 hours of receiving complete documents. Issuance then depends on the council's scrutiny and any queries raised.

Pick the right council and get your RCMC filed correctly

Join 50,000+ customers who trust SetupFiling.in for fast, transparent registrations.

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