Registration Cum Membership Certificate In ESC

Most often, registering your business under the various authorities has its perks and advantages. The same can be said about obtaining the Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC). The RCMC is a certificate that authenticates an exporter who deals with products registered with an agency or authority of the government. The certificate has a validity period of five years. 

The RCMC is granted by an Export Promotion Council (EPC)/Commodity Board/Development Authority or any other competent authority prescribed under the Foreign Trade Policy. Under the Foreign Trade Policy of India, exporters are required to register with EPC citing their main line of business.

Who issues the RCMC?

The certificates are issued to the exporters and importers by Registering Authorities. They include Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards and Export Development Authorities. These bodies are authorised to act as Registering Authorities by the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade). 
There are currently 35 organisations that act as Registering Authorities. They comprise of:-

• 27 Export Promotion Councils
• 6 Commodity Boards
• 2 Development Authorities

The main aim of these bodies is to promote and enhance the development of Indian exports. They are divided into different sectors, each one responsible for a particular group of products.

Electronics and Computer Software Exports Promotion Council

ESC is an Export Promotion Council that aims at promoting and developing electronic equipment and computer software and IT Enabled Services related exports.

The Foreign Trade Policy of India mandates that the RCMC is necessary to avail the following benefits:-

• Authorisation to export or import any item.
• Benefits and concessions under the FTP including – a) Advanced License. b) Duty Drawback Scheme. c) Deemed Export Benefit. d) Duty-Free Import Authorization (DFIA) Scheme. e) RODTEP Scheme. f) Zero duty Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme. g) Any other licenses to import or export. h) At the time of export, no need for a Bank Guarantee. i) Access to Trade Fairs and Catalogue Shows in India and abroad. j) Access through foreign companies to buyer-seller matching.

Registration Procedure of RCMC

Form ANF – 2C is the application form that needs to be filled in and submitted with the ESC. It will comprise of the following details:-

• Name and Address of the concerned Export Promotion Council.
• Name of the Applicant.
• Registered Office Address of the Applicant.
• Name and Address of branches (if any).
• Import Export Code number and details.
• Export House Certificate number.
• Product for which registration is sought.
• Declare the main line of business.

Documents to be Submitted along with RCMC Registration Form

• Self-attested copy of the Import Export Code issued by the DGFT.
• Copy of the Partnership Deed (in case of a Partnership Firm).
• Copy of the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) (in case of a Company).
• Copy of the Trust Deed (in case of a Trust).
• Details of the names, residential addresses, contact numbers and other relevant details of the Partners/Directors, as the case may be.
• For the manufacturing segment, copy of proof that the applicant is a manufacturer (SSI Registration, SIA Certification).
• Preceding year’s export turnover figure certified by a Chartered Accountant is mandatory. In a case where there were no exports, NIL certificate to be obtained.
• Annual Membership Fees applicable to be paid via Demand Draft or Cheque payable, drawn in favor of “Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council” payable at New Delhi.