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APEDA Registration

APEDA Registration is the mandatory RCMC for exporters of scheduled agricultural and processed food products in India, issued by the...

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Key takeaways

APEDA Registration is the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) required to export scheduled agricultural and processed food products from India.
It is issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the APEDA Act, 1985.
It is mandatory before the first export of any product listed in the Schedule to the Act.
Applications are filed online on the APEDA portal and require a valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from the DGFT.
The RCMC is a one-time registration valid in perpetuity, subject to compliance and any update of business details.
Registered exporters can access financial assistance, market intelligence and brand-promotion schemes.

Overview

What is APEDA Registration?

APEDA Registration is the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) granted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, a statutory body set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry under the APEDA Act, 1985. Any business that intends to export the agricultural and processed food products listed in the Schedule to the Act must obtain this certificate before commencing exports.

Beyond being a compliance requirement, the RCMC makes an exporter a recognised member of APEDA. This opens the door to APEDA’s development schemes, quality-improvement support, packaging and infrastructure assistance, and access to international buyer-seller meets and trade fairs.

Scheduled products covered

Fruits, vegetables and their products
Meat, poultry and dairy products
Confectionery, biscuits and bakery products
Honey, jaggery and sugar products
Cereals, pulses and groundnuts
Cocoa products, chocolates and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Floriculture and floriculture products
Herbal and medicinal plants

Applicability

Who needs APEDA Registration

Registration is mandatory for any person or business exporting a scheduled product. It is required before the first export consignment and is a precondition for claiming APEDA scheme benefits.

Applicant	Why registration is needed
Exporters of scheduled products	RCMC is a statutory precondition before exporting agri and processed food products listed in the Schedule.
Manufacturer-exporters	Units that process and ship their own products abroad must register the manufacturing unit and the products.
Merchant-exporters	Traders who source and export scheduled products require RCMC under their own IEC.

Activity	Status
Export of scheduled product	RCMC mandatory before first shipment
Claiming APEDA scheme benefits	Only available to registered members
Registering a manufacturer member	Supported, with unit and product details
Export of non-scheduled products	APEDA RCMC not required for those goods

How it works

The registration process, step by step

APEDA Registration is handled entirely online through the APEDA portal. The journey from application to certificate is straightforward when the documents are in order.

Apply online

Prepare prerequisites
Obtain a valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from the DGFT and keep your bank and business details ready.
Register on the portal
Create a profile on the APEDA portal and complete the online RCMC application form.
Upload documents
Attach the IEC, the bank certificate and the supporting business documents as specified.
Pay the fee
Make the prescribed registration fee payment online to submit the application.

Verification and grant

Scrutiny
APEDA reviews the application and the documents for completeness and accuracy.
Clarifications
Any queries or shortfalls are raised; we respond and re-submit as needed.
Approval
Once satisfied, APEDA approves the application.
RCMC issued
The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate is generated and can be downloaded from the portal.

Paperwork

Documents required

Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT
Bank certificate, duly signed by the applicant’s bank
Cancelled cheque of the firm’s current account
Self-attested copy of the IEC issued by the DGFT
PAN of the business entity
Details of the proprietor, partners or directors
Constitution documents (partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, as applicable)
For manufacturer members: details of the registered manufacturing unit

Lifecycle

Validity & upkeep

The RCMC is a one-time registration that remains valid in perpetuity.
There is no periodic renewal, provided your business details stay current.
Any change in name, address, constitution or products must be updated with APEDA.
The certificate can be suspended or cancelled for non-compliance or misrepresentation.

Exporting food or organic produce? See our NPOP Certification, Basic FSSAI License and State FSSAI License services.

Budgeting

Fees, timeline & validity

The overall cost depends on the government registration fee and the professional support you opt for. The typical components are set out below.

Component	Details
Government registration fee	Prescribed fee payable online to APEDA at the time of application, plus applicable GST
Professional and filing charges	Document preparation, application drafting and portal submission
Processing time	Usually a few working days once a complete application and documents are submitted
Validity	One-time RCMC, valid in perpetuity subject to compliance and detail updates

Planning your first export?

Tell us what you intend to ship and we will confirm whether the product is scheduled, line up the IEC and documents, and obtain your RCMC end to end.

Get a free assessment

Why it matters

Benefits of APEDA Registration

Legal export access

Ship scheduled agri and processed food products abroad in full compliance with the APEDA Act.

Financial assistance

Access APEDA schemes covering infrastructure, quality development and market promotion.

Market intelligence

Tap into export data, price trends and country-wise demand insights from APEDA.

Trade exposure

Participate in international trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-seller meets.

Brand credibility

Registered membership signals quality and reliability to overseas buyers.

Packaging support

Guidance and assistance on export packaging standards and improvements.

Compliance

Why APEDA Registration is mandatory

Under the APEDA Act, 1985, no person can export a scheduled product unless registered with APEDA. The RCMC is therefore not optional for exporters of the listed agricultural and processed food products: it is a statutory precondition for export, and it is also the gateway to APEDA’s promotional and financial schemes.

What operating without it can cost you

Blocked shipments, as customs and export clearances require the RCMC.
Loss of scheme benefits available only to registered members.
Penalties for export of scheduled products without registration.
Reputational risk with overseas buyers who expect verified credentials.

Why Diligence Certifications

Your partner for export compliance

From confirming whether your product is scheduled to downloading the final RCMC, we manage the entire process so you can focus on building export markets.

Eligibility check

We confirm your product is in the APEDA Schedule and map the exact prerequisites.

Document handling

We organise the IEC, bank certificate and supporting papers so nothing holds up approval.

End-to-end filing

We draft, submit and follow up on the APEDA portal and respond to any queries.

Ongoing updates

We keep your registration current with any change in details or product lines.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is APEDA Registration?

APEDA Registration is the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under the APEDA Act, 1985. It is mandatory for exporters of scheduled agricultural and processed food products.

Who needs to register with APEDA?

Any exporter, manufacturer-exporter or merchant-exporter who deals in the agricultural and processed food products listed in the Schedule to the APEDA Act must obtain the RCMC before exporting.

Is an IEC required before applying?

Yes. A valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT is a prerequisite for APEDA Registration, as the RCMC application is linked to your IEC.

How long is the RCMC valid?

The APEDA RCMC is a one-time registration that remains valid in perpetuity, provided your business details are kept up to date and you remain compliant. There is no periodic renewal.

Can I apply online?

Yes. The entire application, document upload and fee payment are completed online on the APEDA portal, and the certificate is generated for download once approved.

What happens if I export without registration?

Exporting a scheduled product without the RCMC is non-compliant under the APEDA Act. It can lead to blocked shipments, penalties and the loss of access to APEDA’s financial and promotional schemes.

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