APEDA Certificate Queries | APEDA Registration
APEDA Certificate Queries | APEDA Registration
APEDA registration refers to the process of enrolling with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a statutory body established under the APEDA Act, 1985, in India. APEDA was set up to promote the export of agricultural and processed food products, offering financial assistance, market development, quality standards guidance, and international promotional support for Indian exporters. It is responsible for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian agricultural exports on the global stage and regulating export procedures for scheduled products.
When a business gets APEDA registration, it is issued a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), which acts as proof that it is officially recognised as an APEDA exporter. This certificate allows businesses to access government export schemes, participate in international trade fairs, and gain credibility with overseas buyers.
APEDA registration is compulsory for any individual, company, partnership, or entity that intends to export products covered under the APEDA schedule. These include, but are not limited to, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry products, dairy products, honey, jaggery, sugar products, floriculture products, and many other agricultural goods.
If you plan to export any of these listed products from India, APEDA registration is not optional—it’s a legal requirement. Merchant exporters who purchase goods domestically and export them, as well as manufacturers who produce goods for export, must complete this registration before the first shipment.
However, if your business does not export scheduled agricultural or processed food products, or you only sell domestically without engaging in export activities for APEDA-listed items, then you are not required to register with APEDA.
Applying for APEDA registration is a fully online process carried out through the official APEDA portal. To begin, you must visit the APEDA website and navigate to the “Register as Exporter” section. The online system is user-friendly and designed to capture all necessary business details.
Once you’ve created an account or logged into the APEDA portal, you will be prompted to enter your Import-Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The IEC not only identifies your business for export purposes but also automatically fills in some of your details on the APEDA portal, saving time during application submission.
After entering basic information and validating your IEC, you can upload the required documents directly through the portal, pay the mandatory government fee online using net banking, debit card, or credit card, and submit your application for processing. Once submitted, an application number is generated, which you can use to track the status of your registration. Verification by APEDA authorities typically takes a few working days, after which the RCMC is issued electronically.
To successfully apply for APEDA registration, several critical documents must be uploaded. These documents help establish your business identity, legal compliance, and export eligibility. Core documents include your PAN Card, a valid IEC (Import-Export Code), and a bank certificate or cancelled cheque that verifies your business’s operational account.
In addition to these, most exporters are required to provide business registration proof, such as a Certificate of Incorporation for companies, a partnership deed for partnerships, a GST registration certificate, and other documents that prove business legitimacy and address. A list of directors or partners with contact details is also commonly requested.
For food product exporters, having an FSSAI license can be essential, especially when dealing with processed or perishable items, as it ensures that your products meet food safety standards. Some exporters may also need specific certificates depending on the product type, such as horticulture or pesticide certificates, though this varies with the nature of goods being exported.
Yes, if you are exporting food products that fall within the APEDA schedule, then APEDA registration is mandatory. Without it, you will not be allowed to export these products from India, and you won’t be eligible for schemes or benefits provided by the government to registered exporters.
Food exporters covered under the APEDA Act must complete this registration before their first consignment leaves India. This requirement applies to a wide range of goods — from fresh fruits and vegetables to processed meat and dairy products.
Without APEDA registration, exporters lose access to support programs targeted at improving product quality, gaining market insights, and participating in international exhibitions, which can significantly affect the competitiveness of their products abroad.
The government fee for APEDA registration is currently set at ₹5,000 plus 18% GST, making the total cost ₹5,900. This is a one-time fee paid at the time of application and is processed through the online portal during submission.
This fee does not include any professional service charges if you choose to hire external help or consultants to assist with the application process. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid before your application can be processed.
If you’re considering APEDA registration but feel overwhelmed by the process, documentation, or procedures, Shugam Consultants can guide you step by step, help prepare documents, submit your application correctly, and answer all your queries to make your export journey smooth and stress-free. Just reach out, and let us help you grow your export business with confidence.
Trusted Sources: Government and export compliance websites providing detailed guidance on APEDA registration requirements and processes.