Short answer
A Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is the certificate an Export Promotion Council (EPC) grants to an exporter on admitting it to membership.12 Under paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, an RCMC is needed to apply for any benefit under the Policy, unless exempted.1 An RCMC is valid for five years from 1 April of its licensing year.2
| Full form | Governed by | Who needs it | Where it is used | Related terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration-cum-Membership Certificate | Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2.57, and Handbook of Procedures paragraphs 2.79 to 2.8212 | Exporters applying for an authorisation, benefit or concession under the Foreign Trade Policy | FTP benefit claims on the DGFT portal and export promotion council membership13 | EPC, SEPC, ESC, FIEO, IEC, DGFT |
Export promotion councils are associations of exporters set up to promote and develop Indian exports, each for a group of products, projects or services. Joining one gives you an RCMC, which the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) asks for when you claim a benefit under the Foreign Trade Policy.1
What does an RCMC mean in simple words?
An RCMC is proof that you are a member of the export promotion council for your line of business. Paragraph 2.57(a) of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 says any person applying for an authorisation to import or export, or for any other benefit or concession under the FTP, must provide an RCMC granted by the competent authority, unless specifically exempted.1
- Issuer: an Export Promotion Council or other registering authority.12
- Use: claiming something under the FTP.1
For example, a design studio billing clients abroad needs no RCMC until it claims an FTP benefit.1
Why does an RCMC matter for Indian exporters and freelancers?
An RCMC matters only when a business wants something under the Foreign Trade Policy, so it is optional for most freelancers and small agencies.1
- FTP benefits: an RCMC is needed for any authorisation, benefit or concession under the Policy.1
- Council support: membership gives access to council support such as trade delegations.3
- Buyers and tenders: some buyers or tenders ask for it.3
A content writer or a design studio can bill clients abroad, receive payment and file GST and tax returns without one.1
How does an RCMC work?
An RCMC works as a five-year membership record with the council for your main line of business.2 Under paragraph 2.80 of the Handbook of Procedures, the exporter declares its main line of business in the application and takes the RCMC from that council.2
- Validity: under paragraph 2.81, an RCMC is deemed valid from 1 April of the licensing year in which it was issued, for five years ending 31 March, unless otherwise specified.2
- Changes: under paragraph 2.82, changes in ownership, constitution, name or address must be reported to the registering authority.2
- Exemption: no RCMC is needed for export consignments with an FOB value of ₹10,000 or less, under paragraph 2.57(c).1
How do you get an RCMC?
You get an RCMC by applying through the e-RCMC system on the DGFT portal to the council for your services, which SEPC's membership page walks through.3
- Choose the council: the one concerned with your main line of business.2
- Apply: under paragraph 2.79, an exporter becomes a member by applying in form ANF 2C and is then granted an RCMC.2
- New exporters: prospective or potential exporters may register as associate members.2
For example, a newly formed engineering consultancy planning its first overseas contract can join its council early.2 The step-by-step process, fees and documents are in RCMC registration for service exporters.
What is the difference between the councils that issue an RCMC for services?
The councils differ by the services they cover, and an exporter takes the RCMC from the one for its main line of business.24
| Council | Typical services | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) | Consultancy, accounting, legal, advertising and other services | Consultants, accountants, lawyers and agencies |
| Electronics and Computer Software EPC (ESC) | Computer software, IT and IT-enabled services | Software and IT-enabled service exporters |
| Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) | Services not covered by any council, or an unsettled main line | Multi-line exporters and uncovered services |
The table summarises Appendix 2T and paragraph 2.80 of the Handbook.24 What SEPC membership offers is covered in SEPC membership for service exporters.
What do people get wrong about an RCMC?
People often think an RCMC is required to export services at all. It is required only for authorisations, benefits or concessions under the FTP.1
- Timing: a new exporter can join as an associate member before its first export.2
- Validity: an RCMC runs for five years ending 31 March, unless otherwise specified.2
Which terms are related to an RCMC?
These terms describe the bodies and registrations around an RCMC:
- DGFT: the Directorate General of Foreign Trade that runs the e-RCMC system.3
- IEC code: the Importer Exporter Code issued by DGFT.
- SEPC membership: what the services council offers members.4
- Export promotion schemes for services: FTP benefits that need an RCMC.1
- RCMC registration: how to apply step by step.3
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 2.79 to 2.82
- [3]SEPC: Apply for Membership (e-RCMC steps on the DGFT portal) (checked 28 October 2026)
- [4]DGFT: Appendix 2T, list of Export Promotion Councils and Registering Authorities, as on 6 February 2023
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an RCMC to export services from India?+
No. Paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 requires an RCMC only when you apply for an authorisation or a benefit or concession under the Policy. A service exporter can bill foreign clients, receive payment and file GST and tax returns without an RCMC.1
Which export promotion council issues the RCMC for services?+
The export promotion council concerned with your main line of business issues the RCMC. Under Appendix 2T, the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) covers services such as consultancy, accounting, legal and advertising, while ESC covers computer software and IT-enabled services.24
Where do I get an RCMC if no council covers my services?+
If no export promotion council covers your services, the RCMC is obtained from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), under paragraph 2.80(b) of the Handbook of Procedures. FIEO also issues RCMCs to multi-product exporters that have not settled their main line of business.2
Is there a small-value exemption from the RCMC requirement?+
Yes. 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. Above that value, an exporter claiming a Policy benefit needs a valid RCMC from the competent authority.1
What must I do if my business details change after getting an RCMC?+
If your ownership, constitution, name or address changes after you get an RCMC, paragraph 2.82 of the Handbook of Procedures requires you to inform the registering authority that issued it. Report each such change so the authority holds your current details.2
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
What is RCMC registration and when does a service exporter need it?
What an RCMC is under FTP 2023, when a service exporter needs one, which council issues it (SEPC, ESC, FIEO), how e-RCMC works and its validity.
SetupHow 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.
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.
GlossaryWhat is an IEC code?
An IEC is a 10-character Importer-Exporter Code from DGFT, the same as your PAN. When service exporters need one under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
GlossaryWhat is DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)?
DGFT is the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. What it does for service exporters: IEC, e-BRC and FTP benefits.