APEDA Registration

Overview

APEDA Registration is a must-have certificate for Indian exporters of agricultural and processed food products, providing regulatory compliance and access to incentives to propel exports.

Established under the APEDA Act of 1985, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority regulates and issues RCMC certificates to merchant and manufacturer exporters of scheduled products, fostering export growth through financial assistance and quality-improvement guidelines.

The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is mandatory for exporting any scheduled food product; without it, no exporter can commence business in these categories.

Objectives

  • Promote export of scheduled food products in global markets
  • Issue RCMC registration to eligible exporters
  • Develop industries related to scheduled food products
  • Regulate standards and specifications for export
  • Improve packaging and marketing for wider reach
  • Conduct training programs for members
  • Participate in international food fests to showcase products

Scheduled Products

First Schedule

  • Fruits, vegetables, and their products
  • Meat and meat products
  • Poultry and poultry products
  • Dairy products
  • Chocolates, cocoa, and their products
  • Cereals and cereal products
  • Groundnuts, peanuts, and walnuts
  • Pickles, chutneys, and papads
  • De-oiled rice bran
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Green pepper in brine
  • Guar gum
  • Floriculture products
  • Herbal and medicinal plants
  • Confectionery, biscuits, and bakery products
  • Honey, jaggery, and sugar products

Second Schedule

  • Basmati Rice

Eligibility Criteria

Applicable For

  • Any person or food business operator exporting one or more products listed under the First or Second Schedule of the APEDA Act
  • Must obtain APEDA registration within one month of business incorporation

Documents Required

1.Import-Export Code (IEC) issued by DGFT
2.Bank certificate with authorized signatory
3.Bank statement for the last 2 months
4.Cancelled cheque of the business account
5.GST Registration Certificate
6.Duly filled and signed APEDA Registration Form

Additional for Manufacturer-Exporters

  • Central FSSAI License
  • DIS/SIA certificate from Department of Horticulture
  • Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • No Objection Certificate from Pollution Control Board
  • MSME Certificate (if applicable)
  • Halal Certificate (if applicable)

Penalties

  • Imprisonment up to 6 months or fine of ₹1,000 for any breach of the APEDA Act
  • Additional fine of ₹50 per day for repeated offences
  • Company and responsible individuals held liable for offences

Benefits

  • Access to various APEDA export-promotion schemes (e.g., food export promotion, NABARD food processing funds, Kisan Sampada Yojana)
  • Infrastructure development support
  • Inclusion in the permanent APEDA exporter directory
  • Brand-building and promotional assistance
  • Participation in APEDA training programs
  • Market and product-specific guidelines and research

Renewal & Validity

Validity: 5 years