Paragraphs 2 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
This article is on the Handbook only; paragraphs 2.79 to 2.85 have no Policy paragraph of their own, although paragraph 2.57 of the Policy is the rule that makes the certificate necessary. The seven paragraphs say how an exporter applies for a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), which council to approach, how long the certificate lasts, what must be reported and how a registration can end.
The procedure is taken from Chapter 2 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 as published on the DGFT website (file of July 2026), consulted on 2 October 2026. Later Public Notices should be checked. The Policy side is in our article on export promotion councils and the RCMC requirement.
An exporter applies in ANF 2C and, on admission to membership, is granted the RCMC forthwith (paragraph 2.79). The certificate is valid from 1st April of the licensing year of issue and for five years ending 31st March, unless otherwise specified (paragraph 2.81). A change in ownership, constitution, name or address must be intimated within one month (paragraph 2.82). An appeal against a decision lies within 45 days (paragraph 2.84).
Paragraph 2.79: membership and the certificate
Under paragraph 2.79(a), an exporter may, on application given in ANF 2C, register and become a member of an Export Promotion Council. On admission to membership, the applicant is granted forthwith the RCMC of the Council concerned, in the format given in Appendix 2R. ANF 2C and Appendix 2R are named only; nothing inside them is described here. An exporter who wants registration as a manufacturer exporter furnishes evidence to that effect.
Paragraph 2.79(b) lets prospective or potential exporters register as an associate member of an Export Promotion Council, on application.
Paragraph 2.80: which council to apply to
Main line of business, paragraph 2.80(a)
While applying, the exporter declares his main line of business in the application, and obtains the RCMC from the Council concerned with the product of that main line.
Products with no council, paragraph 2.80(b)
If an export product is not covered by any Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board, the RCMC is obtained from FIEO. For multi-product exporters not registered with any council, where the main line of business is yet to be settled, the exporter has the option to obtain the RCMC from FIEO. Our service pages on FIEO RCMC registration and our article on FIEO registration for exporters deal with that route.
Two special cases, paragraph 2.80(c) and (d)
For multi-product exporters whose head office or registered office is in the North Eastern States, the RCMC may be obtained from the Export Promotion Council named in the paragraph, except for products looked after by APEDA, the Spices Board and the Tea Board. For exporters of handicrafts and handloom products from the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Director (Handicrafts) of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir named in the paragraph is authorised to issue the RCMC.
Paragraph 2.81: validity
The RCMC is deemed valid from 1st April of the licensing year in which it was issued and is valid for five years ending 31st March of the licensing year, unless otherwise specified. This means that a certificate issued mid-year still runs from the previous 1st April; the paragraph says so in terms ("deemed to be valid from 1st April of licensing year in which it was issued"). A person who is relying on an old certificate should count the five licensing years from that April, not from the date of issue.
Paragraph 2.82: intimation of change
In case of change in ownership, constitution, name or address of an exporter, the RCMC holder must intimate the change to the registering authority within one month of the change. The registering authority may condone delays on merits. The paragraph prescribes no form and names no penalty.
Paragraph 2.83: de-registration
The registering authority may de-register an RCMC holder for a specified period for violation of the conditions of registration. Before de-registration, the holder is given a show cause notice and an adequate and reasonable opportunity to make a representation against the proposed de-registration. On de-registration, the council concerned intimates the same to all Regional Authorities.
Paragraph 2.84: appeal
A person aggrieved by a decision of the registering authority on any matter connected with the issue of an RCMC may appeal to DGFT or an officer designated in this behalf within 45 days of the decision. The decision of the appellate authority is final. The paragraph is headed as an appeal against de-registration but speaks of any matter connected with the issue of an RCMC. Appeals under the Act proper are a different subject; see our article on section 15 of the FTDR Act on appeals against adjudication orders.
Paragraph 2.85: directives of DGFT
DGFT may direct any registering authority to register or de-register an exporter or otherwise issue such other directions as are consistent with, and in order to implement, the provisions of the Act, the Rules and Orders made under it, the Policy or the Handbook.
| Paragraph | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 2.79 | Membership and certificate | ANF 2C; RCMC granted forthwith; Appendix 2R format |
| 2.80 | Which council | Main line of business; FIEO where no council covers the product |
| 2.81 | Validity | From 1st April of the licensing year; five years ending 31st March |
| 2.82 | Change | Intimate within one month |
| 2.83 | De-registration | Show cause notice and a reasonable opportunity |
| 2.84 | Appeal | DGFT or designated officer within 45 days |
| 2.85 | Directives | DGFT may direct a registering authority |
The Act behind the paragraphs
The Handbook is issued under the power of the Director General described in our article on section 6 of the FTDR Act; paragraph 2.85 itself refers to the Act, the Rules and Orders. The Policy is made under section 5; see our article on section 5 of the FTDR Act.
A worked example
Sagar Exports, an invented firm, makes garments and applies in ANF 2C to the council concerned with its main line of business. It is granted the RCMC forthwith in the format of Appendix 2R. The certificate was issued in November; under paragraph 2.81 it is deemed valid from the 1st April of that licensing year and runs for five years ending 31st March. In the third year the firm changes its registered office; under paragraph 2.82 it must tell the registering authority within one month. If it fails and the council moves to de-register it, paragraph 2.83 requires a show cause notice and an opportunity to be heard, and paragraph 2.84 gives 45 days to appeal.
Need help with an RCMC from FIEO or a council?
If your product has no council, or you are a multi-product exporter, the choice of registering authority is a real decision. Our team can prepare the application through our FIEO RCMC registration service.
Key takeaways
- Apply in ANF 2C; the RCMC is granted forthwith on admission (paragraph 2.79).
- Apply to the council of your main line of business; FIEO where no council covers the product (paragraph 2.80).
- Validity is five years, counted from 1st April of the licensing year of issue (paragraph 2.81).
- Report changes within one month (paragraph 2.82).
- De-registration needs a show cause notice; the appeal period is 45 days (paragraphs 2.83, 2.84).
Read next
- Paragraphs 2.56 and 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023: export promotion councils and RCMC
- Paragraphs 2.58 to 2.60 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023: interpretation, relaxation and personal hearing
- RCMC certificate from an export promotion council: ANF 2C, FIEO and validity
- RCMC: what it is and how to get it
Disclaimer: Based on the chapter-wise text of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 published on the DGFT website, and on the later Notifications named in this article, as consulted on 2 October 2026. The copies carry no "updated up to" date. Notifications, Public Notices, Trade Notices, the ITC(HS) schedules, Appendices and forms change often; the current text on the DGFT website should be checked before acting. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.