INTRODUCTION

The agricultural and processed food products export development authority (APEDA) is a statutory body established by the government of India under the agricultural and processed food products exports development authority Act passed by the parliament in December, 1985. The main aim is the growth of industries based on schedule food products, registered individuals as exports and set and regulate market requirements for schedule products.

We are aware about of the impact that agriculture has on entire economy of India. And for exporting agricultural and processed food products, one needs to have an APEDA License. schedule product is a list of all the products that comes under APEDA registration. It defines all the products that need APEDA License foe export in India.

You should become familiar with the APEDA schedule products, the necessary certification, and the proper procedure if your business deals with any of these products, such as dairy, honey, confections, or basmati rice. Your export dreams might be dashed at the port if you fail to notice that. We'll explain everything in this blog, including the why, who, how, and even how Lawfinity could be useful.

WHAT IS APEDA REGISTRATION?

It defines all the products that need APEDA License for export in India. These products are listed under the APEDA Act, and exports of such schedule products must be registered under APEDA. It provides list of schedule products which comes under APEDA Registration.

LIST OF APEDA SCHEDULED PRODUCTS EXPORT INDIA

The term agricultural processed food includes nearly all the food items that we could have. Here are the Specific/scheduled products that comes under APEDA Registration.

Fruits, Vegetables and their Products
Meat and Meat Products
Poultry and Poultry Products
Dairy Products
Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products
Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products
Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds
Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Cereal and Cereal Products
Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts
Pickles, Papads and Chutneys
Guar Gum
Floriculture and Floriculture Products
Herbal and Medicinal Plants
De –oiled rice bran
Green pepper in brine
Cashew Nuts and Its Products

WHO ISSUED SUCH LICENSE?

The authority itself is responsible for the APEDA Registration but the issuance is handled through Designated Export Promotion Council (EPCS) or commodity Boards.

Essentially:

APEDA establishes regulations and oversees adherence on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
The issuing organizations are Commodity Boards or Export Promotion Councils.
The digital interface for RCMC applications is hosted on the DGFT portal.

You receive your RCMC under the APEDA label after paying the fees and submitting the required paperwork

ELIGIBILITY FOR APEDA REGISTRATION

According to the rules specified in Subsection (1) of Section 12 of the APEDA Act, any individual or operator of a food business who exports one or more food products included in the First and Second Schedules of the APEDA Act is qualified for APEDA Registration.
It is anticipated that exporters will obtain APEDA registration within a month of their company's incorporation.

DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR APEDA REGISTRATION

Exports are required to submit the following documents for APEDA Registration:

Import-Export code issued by the DGFT for exports
The signed certificate from the bank
Statement of accounts of the last 2 months
Cancelled cheque is required
GST registration certificate
Duly signed APEDA Registration FORM

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MANUFACTURER EXPORTER

Central FSSAI Registration of Manufacturing Exporter
DIS/SIA issued by the Department of Horticulture in case of food products listed under the APEDA act
Certificate of incorporation of the firm (partnership firm if required)
NOC from the pollution Control Board
MSME Certificate (If required).

STEP‑BY‑STEP SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE PROCESS

Define your product(s) — Ensure they fall under APEDA scheduled products (see list above).
Obtain your IEC — Must have this from DGFT first.
Gather documents — IEC, bank certificate, bank statement, cancelled cheque, incorporation docs, product certificates (FSSAI, NOC, etc.).
Visit DGFT’s e‑RCMC portal — This has been the route since 17 July 2023.
Fill in the application form online and upload all required documents.
Submit and pay the fee — Typically within a few hundred rupees (varies).
APEDA/EPC reviews — Sometimes they ask for clarifications (prepare to respond quickly).
RCMC issued — Usually within 7–15 days; online issuance using digital signature since 1 August 2015.
Save your certificate — Valid for 5 years.
Renew before expiry — Renewal is online, typically no new documents needed, just fee payment.

VALIDITY AND RENWAL OF APEDA REGISTRTATION

The registration-cum-membership-certificate (APEDA Registration) is valid for 5 years
The RCMC license will be auto renewed after every 5 years.

HOW LAWFINITY SIMPLIEIES SUCH PROCEDURE?

At lawfinity we understand that while you’re an export entrepreneur, the legal system may not be your primary focus.

Here’s how we smooth things out:

Eligibility guidance — We assist you in verifying your product lines against the APEDA scheduled product list.
Document audit — We go over your IEC, bank documents, FSSAI, certifications, MOA, and other paperwork to make sure nothing is missing.
We provide step-by-step assistance in navigating the DGFT e-RCMC portal, including filling out complex forms.
Follow-ups and clarifications: If APEDA/EPC requests additional information, we respond promptly.
Issuance tracking: We keep track of the status of your RCMC application, saving you the trouble.
Renewals and expiry alerts: We manage renewals and notify you months in advance of the certificate's five-year validity expiration.

MUSINGS’S FROM AUTHOR’S INK

Exporting Indian agricultural products is both strategic and heartfelt. In addition to exporting goods, you're building brands, promoting agrarian communities, and exchanging cultures.

The jungle of required paperwork, however, lies between the mango orchards and the honey jars. The gatekeepers to global markets, APEDA scheduled products may appear complex, but bureaucracy need not be a hindrance.

I have seen exporters delay their first shipments by weeks because they miscalculated the RCMC process. Even worse, a buyer wouldn't do business with an uncertified company, so they lost business. Relying on a partner like Lawfinity is wise; it's not infidelity. You focus on sourcing, packaging, and connecting while we handle the paperwork.