What is RCMC registration and when does a service exporter need it?
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Short answer
A Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a membership certificate issued by an export promotion council.1 Paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 requires one to apply for any benefit or concession under the Policy.1 It comes from the council for your main line of business.2 It is valid for five years from 1 April of the licensing year of issue.2
| Applies to | Governed by | Deadline | Penalty | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exporters applying for an authorisation, benefit or concession under the FTP 2023 | Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2.571 | Valid for five years from 1 April of the licensing year of issue2 | Not applicable | 28 October 2026 |
| RCMC holders with a change in ownership, constitution, name or address | Handbook of Procedures 2023, paragraph 2.822 | Tell the registering authority within one month2 | De-registration for a specified period for violating registration conditions, after a show cause notice2 | 28 October 2026 |
| Export consignments with an FOB value of ₹10,000 or less | Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2.57(c)1 | Not applicable | Not applicable: no RCMC required1 | 28 October 2026 |
For service exporters, the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is the entry ticket to benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. The RCMC does not affect how you invoice a foreign client, charge GST or receive payment.1
What is an RCMC?
An RCMC is a certificate proving that an exporter is registered with an Export Promotion Council (EPC), a commodity board or another body that DGFT has notified as a Registering Authority.12
- EPCs: organisations of exporters, each responsible for a group of products, projects or services.1
- Form: the application is made in form ANF 2C, and on admission to membership the council grants the RCMC in the format in Appendix 2R.2
- Platform: DGFT runs a common digital platform for issue, renewal and amendment of RCMCs.3
An RCMC matters when you claim something under the FTP.
Who needs an RCMC?
A service exporter needs an RCMC only when applying for an authorisation to import or export under the FTP, or for any other benefit or concession under the FTP, unless specifically exempted.1
| Entity type | RCMC needed? | Why | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer or small studio that only bills foreign clients | No | No FTP authorisation, benefit or concession is being claimed1 | Freelance translators, designers and developers |
| Service business applying under an FTP scheme such as Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) | Yes | Paragraph 2.57 requires an RCMC for FTP benefits1 | Firms importing capital goods under EPCG |
| Business wanting council services | Yes, as a member | Councils offer trade delegations, buyer-seller meets and market reports to members5 | Exporters looking for new markets |
| Export consignment with an FOB value of ₹10,000 or less | No | Exempt under paragraph 2.57(c)1 | Very small consignments |
An overseas client, a tender or a government programme may also ask for an RCMC. See export promotion schemes for services.
How do you apply for an RCMC?
You apply for an RCMC through DGFT's e-RCMC platform, in the sequence SEPC describes for its members:35
- IEC: get an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and link it to your DGFT login. See how to apply for an IEC.
- Profile: complete your profile on the DGFT portal.
- e-RCMC: go to Services, then e-RCMC, and choose new registration, renewal or amendment.
- Council and categories: select the council, your service categories and the fee category, and enter turnover details.
- Documents: upload documents the council asks for. For example, SEPC asks for foreign exchange earnings for the last three years certified by a chartered accountant.
- Submission: e-sign, submit and pay the council's fee.
- Download: download the e-RCMC from the DGFT portal once the council approves it.
Prospective exporters can register as associate members of a council before they have export earnings.2
Which documents, fees and deadlines apply to an RCMC?
The documents, fees and deadlines for an RCMC are form ANF 2C, the council's own fee, five-year validity, and a one-month window to report changes.26
| Item | Rule | Source | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application form | ANF 2C; RCMC granted in the Appendix 2R format | Handbook of Procedures2 | New applicants |
| Fee | Set by each council. SEPC's FY 2026-27 fee for a new startup member with turnover under ₹2 crore is ₹11,800, and for a micro enterprise with turnover up to ₹10 crore it is ₹15,340, both including GST | SEPC fee structure6 | Budgeting for SEPC membership |
| Validity | Five years from 1 April of the licensing year of issue, ending on 31 March, unless otherwise specified | Handbook of Procedures2 | Planning renewal |
| Change of details | Report changes in ownership, constitution, name or address within one month | Handbook of Procedures, paragraph 2.822 | Companies that restructure or move |
| Appeal against de-registration | To DGFT, or an officer it designates, within 45 days | Handbook of Procedures2 | Holders facing de-registration |
Check the current fee schedule of the council you join. For SEPC details and fees, see SEPC membership.
Which council issues the RCMC for services?
The exporter declares its main line of business in the application and takes the RCMC from the council concerned with it.2 If a product is not covered by any council, or a multi-product exporter has not settled its main line of business, the RCMC can come from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).2 Appendix 2T lists the councils:4
| Council (Appendix 2T) | Relevant service coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics and Computer Software EPC (ESC) | Computer software, IT and ITeS software services, BPO and KPO, and electronics | Software, IT and BPO exporters |
| Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) | Exports not covered by another council; multi-product exporters | Exporters with no single main line of business |
| Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) | Accounting, advertising, architecture, consultancy, distribution, education, entertainment and audio-visual, environmental, healthcare, hotel and tourism, legal, maritime transport, market research and management, printing and publishing, others | Professional, creative and consulting services |
| Telecom Equipment and Services EPC (TEPC) | Telecom equipment and services | Telecom service exporters |
SEPC's own membership page also lists IT and ITES services among its categories, so a software or IT services business should confirm the right council before applying.5
What happens if an RCMC holder breaks the registration conditions?
A registering authority can de-register an RCMC holder for a specified period for violating registration conditions, after a show cause notice and an opportunity to respond.2
- Appeal: an appeal against de-registration lies to DGFT, or an officer it designates, within 45 days, and that decision is final.2
- DGFT direction: DGFT can also direct any registering authority to register or de-register an exporter.2
- Late change reports: the authority can condone delays in reporting changes on merits.2
Reporting changes on time avoids most problems.
What is the timeline for an RCMC?
An RCMC runs from 1 April of the licensing year in which it was issued for five years, ending on 31 March, unless otherwise specified.2
- Validity: five years from 1 April of the licensing year of issue.2
- Renewal: done on the same DGFT e-RCMC platform.35
- Council fees: councils charge membership fees on their own cycle; SEPC, for example, publishes separate new and renewal fees for each financial year.6
- Changes: within one month of a change in ownership, constitution, name or address.2
- Appeals: within 45 days of de-registration.2
Membership fees and RCMC validity can run on different cycles, so track both.
What are the common mistakes with RCMC registration?
The common mistakes are getting an RCMC when no FTP benefit is being claimed, picking the wrong council, and missing the one-month window for changes.125
- Unneeded RCMC: for example, a two-person design studio that only bills foreign clients can export without an RCMC.1
- Wrong council: SEPC and ESC both list IT-related categories, so confirm the council before applying.45
- Late change reports: changes in name or address must be reported within one month.2
- Fee confusion: each council sets its own fee, so there is no single RCMC fee.6
For which FTP schemes a services business can use, see DGFT status holder and export promotion schemes for services.
How did we verify this?
We checked this page against the sources below on 30 October 2026. Read our methodology or report an error.
- [1]DGFT: Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Chapter 2 (Revised FTP v1.2.2), paragraphs 2.56 and 2.57
- [2]DGFT: Handbook of Procedures 2023, Chapter 2 (HBP_07_2026 version), paragraphs 2.77 to 2.85
- [3]DGFT: Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Chapter 1 (Revised FTP v1.2.2), paragraph 1.14 (online e-RCMC facility)
- [4]DGFT: Appendix 2T, list of Export Promotion Councils and Registering Authorities, as on 6 February 2023
- [5]SEPC: Apply for Membership (e-RCMC steps on the DGFT portal) (checked 28 October 2026)
- [6]SEPC: Membership registration fee structure (New and Renew) for FY 2026-27, w.e.f. 1 April 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is an RCMC mandatory for exporting services?+
An RCMC is not mandatory for exporting services as such. Paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 requires an RCMC only when you apply for an authorisation to import or export, or for any other benefit or concession under the Policy, unless specifically exempted.1 Invoicing a foreign client needs no RCMC.
Which council issues the RCMC for my services?+
The RCMC comes from the council concerned with your main line of business. Under Appendix 2T, SEPC covers services such as consultancy, accounting, legal and advertising, and ESC covers computer software, IT and ITeS services and BPO or KPO. FIEO covers exports not covered by another council.24
How long is an RCMC valid?+
An RCMC is valid for five years, from 1 April of the licensing year in which it was issued to 31 March, unless otherwise specified, under the Handbook of Procedures 2023.2 Renewal is done on the same DGFT e-RCMC platform used for new registrations and amendments.35
Is there a small-value exemption from the RCMC requirement?+
There is a small-value exemption. An RCMC is not required for export consignments with a free on board (FOB) value of ₹10,000 or less under paragraph 2.57(c) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.1 Larger consignments claiming FTP benefits still need an RCMC from the relevant council.
What if my company's name or address changes after the RCMC is issued?+
Tell the registering authority about any change in ownership, constitution, name or address within one month of the change, under paragraph 2.82 of the Handbook of Procedures. The registering authority can condone delays on merits.2 Amendments are filed on the DGFT e-RCMC platform.3
Can a new exporter without export earnings get an RCMC?+
A prospective exporter without export earnings can register as an associate member of an export promotion council, under the Handbook of Procedures 2023.2 The full RCMC application usually asks for export details; SEPC, for example, asks for foreign exchange earnings for the last three years certified by a chartered accountant.5
This page is general information for Indian service exporters, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and outcomes depend on your facts, so confirm with a chartered accountant before acting.
Keep reading
How does SEPC membership work for Indian service exporters?
Who should join the Services Export Promotion Council, the FY 2026-27 SEPC fee table, how the e-RCMC application works on the DGFT portal, and what membership gives you.
SetupHow do you apply for an IEC code on the DGFT portal?
Step-by-step IEC application on the DGFT portal: ANF-2A, documents, the ₹500 fee, annual updation, and when a service exporter actually needs an IEC.
SetupWhich export promotion schemes are available to service exporters in India?
Export promotion schemes open to Indian service exporters in October 2026: status holder, EPCG, STP and EOU, the Export Promotion Mission, and what happened to SEIS.
SetupHow does a service exporter become a DGFT status holder?
How DGFT status holder recognition works under FTP 2023 for service exporters: One to Five Star thresholds, eligibility, ANF 1B application, validity and privileges.
GlossaryWhat is an RCMC?
An RCMC is the membership certificate an export promotion council such as SEPC issues. When Indian service exporters need one under FTP 2023, and how long it lasts.