The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was set up in 1985 under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act. Its main goal is to support and promote the export of certain food products. APEDA provides financial help, guidelines, and information on how to develop these products. The products listed in the Act must be exported by registered exporters, who need to sign up with APEDA. In this article, we will explore what APEDA registration is and the important details related to it.

Functions
APEDA has the following responsibilities:

1. Registering Exporters: It registers individuals as exporters of specific products once they pay the required fee.
2. Supporting Export Industries: It helps businesses that export these products by offering financial aid, conducting research, and investing in joint ventures, along with providing other relief programs and subsidies.
3. Setting Standards: APEDA sets standards and specifications for the products that are exported.
4. Inspections: It inspects meat and meat products at slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage areas, and transport vehicles to ensure they meet quality standards.
5. Promoting Exports: APEDA works to increase the global marketing of these products.
6. Improving Packaging: It helps improve the packaging of these products for export.
7. Encouraging Production: APEDA supports the production and development of these products for export.
8. Providing Training: It offers training in various areas related to these products.
9. Collecting Data: APEDA gathers data on production, processing, packaging, marketing, and exports of these products from factory owners, businesses, or other sources like publications.

Products Monitored by APEDA

APEDA is in charge of promoting and developing the export of the following products, which are listed under the scheduled products category according to the APEDA Act:

1. Meat and meat products
2. Fruits, vegetables, and their products
3. Poultry and poultry products
4. Dairy products
5. Honey, jaggery, and sugar products
6. Sweets, biscuits, and bakery items
7. Cocoa and chocolate products
8. Groundnuts, peanuts, and walnuts
9. Cereal and cereal products
10. Pickles, papads, and chutneys
11. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
12. Guar gum
13. Herbal and medicinal plants
14. Flowers and flower products

APEDA also monitors the import of sugar.

Advantages of Registration

APEDA registration is required for exporting scheduled products. Here are the benefits of registering with APEDA:

1. Exporters can access various financial assistance programs offered by APEDA.
2. APEDA provides exporters with rules, regulations, and guidelines for exporting products to different countries.
3. Registration helps improve the brand’s visibility through advertisements, better packaging, database updates, surveys, and more.
4. APEDA-registered exporters can join training programs organized by APEDA, helping them improve and grow their business.

Documents Required

To register with APEDA, the following documents are needed:

1. A completed and signed application form for APEDA registration.
2. A copy of the Import-Export Code from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
3. A bank certificate signed by the relevant authorities.
4. A bank statement for the last two months.
5. A canceled cheque.

Registration Process

The applicant must submit an application to register with APEDA within one month of starting their business. If the exporter misses the deadline, they may be given an extension by the concerned authority if they have a valid reason.

Once the applicant completes the application and pays the required fee, the authority will issue a Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC). This registration is done once, and the registered members must follow the rules under the APEDA Act.

Online Process

Step 1: Visit the APEDA website to register.

Step 2: Click on the Register as Member tab.

Step 3: Fill in the required details like your Import-Export Code, email address, and mobile number. After that, click on the “Submit” button.

Step 4: A One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your registered email and mobile number to confirm your details. Enter the OTP in the verification field and click “Submit” to continue.

Step 5: After verification, complete the online application by providing the required information and uploading the necessary documents.

Note: Upload documents in JPEG, PDF, or PNG formats only.

Step 6: The application can be completed in multiple sessions. Just visit the same page with the OTP. Fill in the required details and save the form. You can edit the information until you make the payment.

Step 7: The registration fee is INR 5000, excluding taxes. You can pay using the following methods:

• Credit Card (MasterCard or Visa)
• Debit Card (MasterCard or Visa)
• Demand Draft in favor of APEDA, payable in respective cities.

Step 8: After successful payment, an Application Number will be generated. Keep this number for future reference.

Step 9: Once your RCMC is issued, you will receive login credentials at your registered email. You can log in to your APEDA account by clicking on the “Exporter Login” tab on the APEDA homepage.

Step 10: To check the status of your RCMC application, click the “Track Application” tab and enter your Import-Export Code along with the Application Number.

Step 11: If there are any issues with your application, you will need to re-submit it online with the correct documents.

Step 12: The final step is the approval of your RCMC by APEDA officials. Once approved, you can download the certificate by visiting the “View RCMC Certificate” tab under the RCMC menu.

NOTE

The following documents must be submitted with the application form. Please note that you do not need to submit a hard copy of any document when applying for RCMC from APEDA.

1. A self-certified copy of the Import-Export Code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
2. A bank certificate signed by the relevant authorities.

If you want to register as a Manufacturer Exporter, you must also provide a self-attested copy of your company registration and certifications from the relevant certification agencies for the products you export.

DGFT Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)

Previously, exporters who wanted to get an RCMC had to submit an application in Form ANF 2C to the Tea Board, where they also had to mention their main business. The process was explained earlier for reference.

The Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Trade Notice No. 35/2021-2022, announcing that from April 1, 2022, all exporters must file their RCMC or Registration Certificate (RC) applications electronically through the DGFT Common Digital Platform.

This notice introduces a new platform, the DGFT e-RCMC module, which allows exporters and importers to apply for and manage their RCMC or RC online. This platform offers a simple, contactless way to handle all RCMC/RC-related processes, including applications for new certificates, amendments, and renewals.