APEDA Registration

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APEDA Registration is an essential certificate for Indian importers and exporters seeking to access international markets in the agricultural and processed food sectors. APEDA, which stands for the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, signifies regulatory compliance and provides access to an array of incentives and opportunities designed to propel exports and catalyse growth. In a world increasingly valuing organic, authentic, and diverse food products, APEDA Registration has become an indispensable asset for Indian exporters.

IndiaFilings can help you obtain your APEDA Registration smoothly and efficiently, ensuring you meet all requirements with ease.

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What is APEDA?

APEDA, established under the APEDA Act of 1985, is a government authority tasked with regulating and promoting the export of agricultural and processed food products from India. APEDA Registration, also known as APEDA RCMC Registration, is a mandatory requirement for exporters dealing with scheduled products. This certification ensures that exporters comply with export regulations and provides access to various benefits, including financial assistance, training programs, and quality improvement guidelines.

What is APEDA Registration?

APEDA Registration, also referred to as APEDA RCMC Registration (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)), is issued by the APEDA authorities to exporters of scheduled food products under the APEDA Act of 1985. This registration is a compulsory requirement for any exporter intending to engage in the export of listed agricultural and processed food products. Without an RCMC membership, exporters cannot legally commence their business activities related to these products as per regulatory guidelines. The APEDA RCMC registration form must be accurately filled out and submitted as part of the APEDA online registration procedure. Ensure to get an RCMC APEDA certificate.

Eligibility for APEDA Registration

Any individual or food business operator exporting one or more food products listed under the First Schedule and Second Schedule of the APEDA Act is eligible for APEDA Registration. According to the guidelines specified in sub-section (1) of Section 12 of the APEDA Act, such businesses and individuals are required to obtain an APEDA Registration Certificate within one month of the incorporation of their business.

Scheduled Food Products Under the APEDA Act

First Schedule

Fruits, Vegetables, and their Products
Meat and Meat Products
Poultry and Poultry Products
Dairy Products
Chocolates, Cocoa, and its 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 and Floriculture Products
Herbal and Medicinal Plants
Confectionery, Biscuits, and Bakery Products
Honey, Jaggery, and Sugar Products

Second Schedule

Basmati Rice

By obtaining APEDA Registration, exporters of these scheduled products can ensure compliance with export regulations and gain access to various benefits offered by APEDA.

Why APEDA Registration is Required?

Below are the essential reasons why APEDA Registration is required for your business :

Legal Compliance: Ensures adherence to government regulations for exporting scheduled products.
Market Access:Acts as a gateway to international markets, allowing legal export of products.
Financial Assistance: Eligibility for APEDA’s financial schemes to reduce costs related to packaging, branding, marketing, and infrastructure development.
Quality Assurance: Access to guidelines and training programs to enhance product quality and competitiveness.
Market Development Support: Assistance in promoting products globally through trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and other promotional activities.
Information Access: Updates on international trade policies, market intelligence, and emerging opportunities.
Certification and Accreditation: Prerequisite for obtaining other necessary certifications for specific markets.
Export Facilitation: Streamlines export procedures by providing necessary support and guidance.
Regulatory Benefits: Access to government initiatives aimed at boosting exports, including tax exemptions and subsidies.
Dispute Resolution: Acts as an intermediary in resolving disputes between exporters and importers.

Timeframe for Obtaining APEDA Registration

Exporters are expected to acquire APEDA Registration within one month of the incorporation of their business. Timely registration ensures uninterrupted access to APEDA benefits and compliance with export regulations.

APEDA Registration Documents

Exporters must submit the following documents when applying for APEDA license Registration:

For All Exporters

Import-Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Bank Certificate for APEDA registration or Cancelled Cheque
Bank Account Statement for the last two months
GST Registration Certificate
Duly Signed APEDA RCMC Registration Form

Additional Documents for Manufacturer Exporters

Central FSSAI Registration (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)
DIS/SIA Certificate issued by the Department of Horticulture for food products listed under the APEDA Act
Certificate of Incorporation of the firm (including partnership deed if applicable)
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pollution Control Board
MSME Certificate (if applicable)
Halal Certificate (if required)

Validity and APEDA Registration Renewal Online

The Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by APEDA is valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance. After this duration, the RCMC APEDA license is auto-renewed every five years upon the submission of the required renewal fee. Exporters are not required to submit any additional documents or undergo further formalities for the APEDA renewal process once the fee is paid. This APEDA online registration procedure ensures a seamless renewal experience, allowing exporters to maintain their registration without administrative delays.

Penalties for Non-Compliance with the APEDA Act

Non-compliance with the APEDA Act can result in severe penalties:

Imprisonment:Up to six months for violating or attempting to breach provisions.
Fines: Rs.1,000 for initial offences and an additional Rs.50 per day for repeat offences from the date of the first infringement until conviction.
Corporate Liability: If a company commits an offence, every person in charge at the time shall be deemed guilty along with the company and punished accordingly.

Cancellation of APEDA (RCMC) Registration

APEDA License Registration can be cancelled under the following conditions as specified in Section 11 of the APEDA Act:

Non-Activity:Failure to conduct the export business of scheduled food products for 12 consecutive months.
Incorrect Information:Providing false or misleading information during the registration process.
Regulatory Violations:Non-compliance with APEDA rules and regulations.

Maintaining active business operations and adhering to regulatory guidelines are crucial to retaining your APEDA Registration and its associated benefits.

APEDA Registration Online Procedure

The issuance of the APEDA Registration Certificate is now fully online, requiring exporters to fill out an application form and submit their documents via the APEDA portal. Below is the step-by-step procedure for APEDA registration online procedure:

Step 1: Online Application

Visit the APEDA portal and click on the “Register as Member” tab to apply for an RCMC APEDA certificate.
Fill in all mandatory details such as the Import-Export Code (IEC), email address, and mobile number.
An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your registered mobile number and email for verification purposes.

Step 2: Documentation

After OTP verification, complete the mandatory application form by providing all the requested details.
Upload all the required documents for APEDA Registration.
Applicants can save and edit their application APEDA online registration form multiple times before submitting the APEDA registration fees.

Step 3: Submission of Fee

Submit the registration fee after completing the applicationAPEDA gov in the registration form.
Upon successful payment, an application number will be generated.
Use this application number to track the status of your RCMC application until it is issued.

Step 4: Issuance of APEDA Certificate

The APEDA registration certificate will be issued within 10-15 days after successful submission on the APEDA portal.

Applicants can download their APEDA certificate using the login ID and password provided by APEDA to their registered mobile number and email. This is the brief process on how to apply APEDA online.

The APEDA registration process is multi-step and requires proper legal knowledge. Seeking help from experts is advised to simplify and expedite the APEDA application process.

IndiaFilings experts can guide you through each step, ensuring that all requirements are met for a successful registration.

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