RCMC Certificate Download: Steps and Documents Required
TL;DR - Summary
- What is an RCMC certificate and why does an exporter need one? - An RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) confirms that an exporter is registered with the relevant Export Promotion Council for a specific product or service category. It may be required when applying for certain export benefits and schemes, subject to the applicable rules.
- How do I download my RCMC certificate from the DGFT portal? - To download an RCMC certificate from the DGFT portal, log in at dgft.gov.in, go to Services > e-RCMC > Search by IEC, and download the certificate once the relevant Export Promotion Council has approved the application.
- What documents are needed to download an RCMC certificate? - To apply for or obtain an RCMC, an exporter generally needs a valid IEC, PAN and applicable business or registration documents. The exact documents vary by the Export Promotion Council and the applicant's business structure. Hence, many companies and partnership firms may need additional documents such as their incorporation or partnership documents.
What Is an RCMC Certificate?
An RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) is an official document that certifies a business as a registered exporter dealing in specific products. It is issued by government-authorised bodies such as Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, or Development Authorities. It can be required when claiming benefits under government export schemes such as RoDTEP, Duty Drawback, and the Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme.
An RCMC stays valid for five financial years, running from 1 April of the issuing year through 31 March of the final year. Some councils separately require annual renewal of membership fees to keep the certificate active throughout that period.
This article focuses specifically on downloading a certificate after approval, following RCMC registration and the approval of the application.
⚠️ COMMON MISCONCEPTION
IEC and RCMC are not the same document. IEC is issued directly by DGFT to identify a business as an importer or exporter. RCMC, by contrast, is issued by the relevant Export Promotion Council or other authorised body, processed through the DGFT portal, and may be required for specific export schemes and benefits.
How To Download an RCMC Certificate From DGFT Portal: A Step-By-Step Guide
Downloading an RCMC certificate from the DGFT portal takes five steps, but only once the certificate has already been issued and approved by the relevant EPC or Commodity Board.
- Step 1: Visit the official DGFT website at dgft.gov.in.
- Step 2: Log in using your credentials, then enter the verification code sent to the registered mobile number or email ID.
- Step 3: Navigate to Services, then e-RCMC, then Search by IEC.
- Step 4: Locate the approved RCMC application. The screen should show an "Approved" or "Issued" status once the EPC has completed processing.
- Step 5: Click the download link to save the PDF version of the RCMC certificate.
The exact menu sequence on DGFT runs login, then Services, then e-RCMC, then Search by IEC, then Download PDF. Each screen along the way should display the correct IEC details and application status before the download option becomes active.
Note that RCMC is only one of the documents exporters may need to access online. Other export records follow their own portal-specific processes, such as the steps involved when you download a shipping bill from ICEGATE.
Which Documents Are Needed to Download an RCMC Certificate?
To download an RCMC certificate from the DGFT portal, exporters commonly need three core documents, namely the IEC (Importer-Exporter Code), PAN (Permanent Account Number), and GST registration certificate. For:
- Corporate, institutional, private limited, or limited companies: Memorandum of Association (MOA).
- Partnership firms or individuals: Self-certified copy of the Partnership Deed.
- Trusts, institutions, or corporations: Trust Deed.
- If the registered office address has changed: Certificate from the Registrar of Companies confirming the change.
Once the RCMC registration is approved, the certificate can be downloaded online through the applicable issuing body's process.
How Does Skydo Help Once You Have Exported Your Products?
Once an export is complete, getting the payment into India without any hassle becomes the next concern. Skydo helps exporters manage international receipts through a digital payment setup that combines multi-currency receiving accounts, transparent transaction fees and payment documentation. With Skydo, you get:
- Transparent Transaction Costs: Skydo charges $19 for payments up to $2,000, $29 for payments from $2,001 to $10,000, and 0.3% for payments above $10,000, with no monthly subscription fee.
- Receive in Multiple Currencies: Exporters can use virtual accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD and CAD to receive payments from overseas clients. Account setup can be completed online in around 5 minutes.
- FIRA for Each Payment: Skydo provides an automatically generated free instant FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) with every transaction, thereby giving exporters documentation for their foreign payment receipts.
What is an RCMC certificate?
An RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) certifies an Indian business as a registered exporter for specific product categories. It is issued by authorised bodies such as Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, or Development Authorities. An RCMC may be required when claiming benefits under applicable export schemes such as RoDTEP, Duty Drawback, and EPCG, subject to the relevant scheme rules. It is generally valid for five financial years.
How do I check my RCMC status on DGFT?
How many days does it take to get an RCMC certificate?
Is RCMC compulsory for all exporters?
Which authority issues the RCMC for my product category?
Is the RCMC PDF downloaded from DGFT valid without a physical stamp?
Can I download RCMC for multiple product categories in one certificate?
What happens if the download button is not visible on the DGFT portal?
Do I need to renew my RCMC after 5 years?
