INTRODUCTION

India is a leading player in global agricultural trade. Whether it’s mangoes from Maharashtra, basmati rice from Punjab or honey from Sundarbans—our farmers and exporters contribute richly to the international food supply. But entering this global market is not as simple as growing and packaging. You need legal permission, regulatory credibility and institutional recognition.

That permission comes in the form of an APEDA Certificate—a mandatory registration for those exporting scheduled agricultural and processed food products. If you are an exporter or manufacturer of agri-products, getting an APEDA registration is not just a smart move—it’s a legal requirement.

This blog breaks down everything you need to know about getting your APEDA Certificate—right from eligibility and documentation to penalties, process, FAQs and how Lawfinity can make the journey seamless.

WHY APEDA CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED?

Legal Requirement: As per Section 12(1) of the APEDA Act, 1985, exporters of scheduled products must be registered with APEDA. Operating without registration is a legal offence and can result in penalties, shipment seizure or debarment from future exports by Indian authorities.
Needed for Customs Clearance: Even if you’ve followed all quality, packaging and compliance protocols, your products will be withheld at customs if you don’t have an APEDA Certificate. Customs officers require this document before processing any export of scheduled agricultural or food products.
Unlocks Export Incentives: APEDA registration makes you eligible for various government benefits like RoDTEP rebates, lab-testing reimbursements, trade fair participation subsidies and brand promotion grants. Without this certificate, you lose out on cost-saving opportunities and long-term export infrastructure funding.
Builds Buyer Trust: Overseas importers demand assurance on traceability, hygiene and legal compliance. An APEDA Certificate demonstrates that your business is officially recognized, inspected and aligned with India’s export standards—improving your credibility and increasing your chances of securing long-term buyer contracts.
Enables Training and Infrastructure Access: APEDA conducts training sessions, funds infrastructure development and organizes international buyer-seller meets. Only certified members can access these valuable programs, which help exporters upgrade capabilities, meet global benchmarks and grow their businesses in competitive foreign markets.

WHO ISSUES APEDA CERTIFICATE?

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The APEDA Certificate, formally known as the Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), is issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). APEDA is a statutory body functioning under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. It was established to promote the export of scheduled agricultural and processed food products and to ensure exporters meet international standards.

Earlier, exporters had to register directly through the APEDA website. However, to streamline trade documentation and make the process more efficient, APEDA registration has now been integrated into the DGFT's e-RCMC platform—a centralized portal for issuing Export Promotion Council memberships. This shift to digital infrastructure allows exporters to apply, track and manage their registrations online.

Once approved, exporters receive their APEDA Certificate, which is valid for five years. Renewal is required before expiration and merchant exporters often benefit from auto-renewal, while manufacturer-exporters may need to update relevant documents.

ELIGIBILITY AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APEDA CERTIFICATE

Who is Eligible?

You are eligible for APEDA Certificate if:

You are involved in the export of scheduled agricultural or processed food products such as fruits, vegetables, honey, dairy, meat, cereals, pulses, etc.
You operate as a sole proprietor, partnership, LLP, private limited company, cooperative society or farmer-producer organization (FPO)
You have a valid Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT

Required Documents

Here’s a checklist of documents you’ll need:

Copy of Import Export Code (IEC)
Bank Certificate or cancelled cheque
Last two months’ bank statement
Business registration certificate (GST/Shop Act/COI)
FSSAI license, if applicable
Udyam/MSME Certificate, if available
Pollution Control NOC (for certain categories like meat processing)
Infrastructure proof (cold storage, pack house etc., if applicable)
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) – Class II or III
Identity and address proof of business owner/partners/directors

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Getting your APEDA Certificate is now a fully digital and streamlined process, thanks to the integration of APEDA registration into the DGFT’s e-RCMC platform. Below is a step-by-step explanation of how to obtain your certificate:

Step 1: Get Your Import Export Code (IEC)

Before initiating your APEDA application, you must obtain a valid Import Export Code (IEC) from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). This 10-digit number is mandatory for anyone looking to engage in export-import activities from India. You can apply for it online via the DGFT portal using basic business and bank details.

Step 2: Register on the e-RCMC Platform

Visit the DGFT e-RCMC portal and input your IEC number to begin the registration process. The portal will prompt you to verify your mobile number and email address via OTPs. This ensures secure access to your exporter profile and future communication.

Step 3: Fill the Online Application Form

Once logged in, proceed to fill in your business information. This includes company name, registered address, PAN number, IEC, nature of business (manufacturer/exporter), details of scheduled export products and annual turnover. Be sure to select APEDA as your Export Promotion Council during this step.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

The next step involves uploading the necessary documents as per eligibility requirements. These may include your IEC certificate, bank certificate or cancelled cheque, business registration proof, FSSAI license, MSME certificate, infrastructure documents and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). All documents must be scanned clearly and uploaded in approved formats (PDF or JPEG). If required, documents should also be self-attested.

Step 5: Pay the Government Fees

After completing the application and uploading documents, you will be directed to the payment gateway. The registration fee is ₹5,000 + 18% GST, which totals ₹5,900. This is a one-time fee and can be paid via net banking, credit/debit card or UPI. Make sure to keep a digital receipt of your payment.

Step 6: Application Review and Verification

Once submitted, your application is reviewed by APEDA officials. They may reach out for clarification or additional documents if needed. If all your documents are accurate and complete, the processing usually takes 7 to 15 working days. During this time, you can track your application status via the portal.

Step 7: Download Your APEDA Certificate (RCMC)

After your application is approved, your Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) will be generated and made available for download in your profile. You can log in to the portal, download the certificate and store it safely for customs clearance, client onboarding or participation in export events.

PENALTY FOR OPERATING WITHOUT APEDA CERTIFICATE

Operating without an APEDA Certificate carries serious implications:

Customs will block your shipments from being exported
You may face legal penalties under the APEDA Act
You will be ineligible for government incentives
It results in loss of buyer credibility and trust
You risk being excluded from trade fairs and international events
You may face export bans or fines on repeated violations

In short, don’t risk it—exporting without APEDA registration is both risky and short-sighted.

HOW LAWFINITY SIMPLIFIES THE PROCEDURE?

Getting your APEDA Certificate should empower your business—not frustrate you with complex forms, unclear instructions or missed steps. At Lawfinity, we act as your compliance partner, ensuring the entire process is smooth, accurate and aligned with your export goals.

Let’s walk you through how we make it all easy:

We Begin with a Full Eligibility Audit

Before anything is filed, we evaluate whether your business qualifies for APEDA registration. This includes assessing:

The nature of your products (whether they fall under APEDA’s scheduled product list)
Your business structure (proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company, etc.)
Existing licenses like FSSAI or MSME that may be required alongside APEDA
The availability of necessary infrastructure (especially for exporters of meat, dairy or floriculture)

We help you avoid early-stage rejections by flagging issues upfront and guiding you toward eligibility readiness.

We Help You Complete All Pre-Compliance

In many cases, exporters are eager to register with APEDA but lack the foundational licenses required for submission. We help you apply for or update:

Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT
FSSAI license, particularly for food and beverage-related products
MSME/Udyam registration for manufacturing units
Pollution Control Board NOC, if your product category requires it

Our team ensures these prerequisites are met before proceeding to APEDA filing, reducing delays and rework.

We Prepare and Format All Necessary Documents

From experience, we know that documentation errors are the most common reason for rejection. That’s why we personally take charge of preparing:

Bank certificate or cancelled cheque
Business incorporation certificate or registration documents
DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) setup and integration
Identity/address proofs, PAN and other statutory documents
Infrastructure proofs (cold storage, packaging unit or manufacturing facility, where required)

Everything is formatted, reviewed and organized before uploading—so nothing is missed, mismatched or mislabelled.

We File Your Application Accurately Online

Once documents are in place, our specialists log in to the DGFT e-RCMC portal and handle:

Accurate data entry of company profile and product categories
Document uploads in acceptable file types and resolutions
Real-time issue resolution during file submissions
Secure payment of government fees (₹5,900 including GST)

We do all the backend work so you can sit back and focus on business.

We Coordinate Directly with Government Officials

If APEDA raises any query, clarification request or document mismatch, our compliance team handles the communication swiftly. We:

Respond directly on the portal or via email
Provide additional documentation or clarifications where required
Keep you informed of application progress—without burdening you with formalities

You won’t need to navigate government jargon or chase updates—we do that for you.

We Deliver Your Certificate with Support

Once your application is approved, we:

Download and securely share your APEDA Certificate (RCMC)
Guide you on where and how to use it (e.g., customs clearance, buyer onboarding, incentive claims)
Explain the validity period (5 years) and how auto-renewals or manual renewals work, based on your exporter type

You’ll have everything you need to start exporting legally and confidently.

We Manage Ongoing Compliance

Registration isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning. As your export business grows, we continue to assist by:

Sending renewal alerts before your certificate expires
Helping you add new product categories or update company information
Applying for infrastructure-related grants, lab-testing benefits or APEDA-linked schemes
Ensuring you remain 100% compliant, even during inspections or audits

We stay with you through every season of your export journey.

In Short: We Handle Everything, You Focus on Growth

At Lawfinity, we believe exporters should focus on quality, sourcing and sales—not bureaucracy. With our step-by-step support, government coordination and deep regulatory expertise, your APEDA Certificate is not just easier—it’s bulletproof.

MUSINGS FROM THE AUTHOR’S INK

India’s farmers and food processors create magic from the soil. But magic doesn’t reach the world without the right paperwork. Behind every container of grapes or crate of pomegranates, there’s compliance, verification and trust.

The APEDA Certificate isn’t just another document—it’s your business’s global calling card. It signals that you are serious, traceable and legally ready for the world stage.

At Lawfinity, we believe no exporter should miss an opportunity just because a file was delayed, a NOC was missed or a form was misfiled. We simplify the boring so you can build the beautiful—your brand, your products and your legacy.

If this guide helped you move one step closer to legal, confident, global export—then we’ve done our job.

Here’s to shipping smart, scaling faster and making India proud.