EPCH Membership Registration : Guide for export of handicraft products

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EPCH is non-profit organisation. Its an apex body formed under the companies act. Setting up EPCH aims to promote and preserve the traditional handicraft industry and promote handicraft export in the international market.

EPCH membership and registration cum membership (RCMC) certificate are two different registration offered by the export promotion council. The RCMC registration is explicitly for manufacturers and manufacturer-exporters.

Importance of EPCH RCMC for merchants & manufacturers

Getting an EPCH RCMC registration is important for "MSMEs" manufacturers and merchants.

The export promotion council can help businesses grow through market access initiatives and various schemes. Exporters and manufacturers of handicraft products also enjoy tax benefits and the opportunity to get together in buyer-seller meets and trade fairs.

• What are handicraft products
• Documents required for EPCH membership
• EPCH RCMC registration process
• Cost of EPCH membership
• Renewal and validity of EPCH RCMC
• Benefits of EPCH membership
• Role of EPCH
• EPCH guidelines for exporters
• EPCH code of conduct for members
• Conclusion
• Frequently asked questions

EPCH RCMC Sample

As per the established definition by the esteemed government committees, a handicraft product is described as:

"Item or product produced through manual skills, with or without mechanical or electrical or other processes, which appeals to the eye, due to the characteristics of being artistic or aesthetic or creative or ethnic or being representative of cultural or religious or social symbols or practices, whether traditional or contemporary. These items or products may or may not have a functional utility and can be used as a decorative item or gift."

Documents required for EPCH RCMC registration

These are the following documents required to obtain the export promotion council for handicraft membership and RCMC certificate.

• For proprietorship Firm
• For partnership Firm
• For limited companies
• A GST certificate is required
• Import-export code issued by DGFT
• Signature of the applicant on the letterhead of the entity
• Duly signed code of conduct on a minimum 10 rupee stamp
• A valid copy of the MSME udyam certificate is required for manufacturer exporters.
• Self-declaration of the proprietor on entities letterhead that the product mentioned in the udyam certificate also includes handicraft products
• Copy of GST certificate
• Copy of partnership deed attested by notaryDuly signed code of conduct on a minimum 10 rupee stamp
• One of the partners should attest to the list of partners on the firm's letterhead.
• Self-declaration of the letterhead of the firm stating that the product mentioned in the udyam certificate also includes handicraft products
• Copy of GSTIN
• Copy of directors identification number
• Self-attested MoA & AoA or Certificate of incorporation.
• All the directors should sign the list of directors on letterhead.
• Board resolution in favour of companies deciding to be registered under EPCH membership.

Process for EPCH RCMC membership registration

• Login to the DGFT portal with your username. If you need a user account on DGFT, create a fresh one on the Portal.
• Once the ID is created, navigate to the service section for EPCH RCMC registration and apply for e-RCMC.
• Start a fresh application and fill out the required form per your business nature.
• Submit the required fee as per the guidelines. The EPCH membership RCMC registration will be provided to the applicant within 30 days of application.

Cost of EPCH Membership registration?

Per the rules and regulations laid down by the Export promotion council of handicraft, any person who wants to register with EPCH needs to get a membership before getting RCMC.

The registration can be done as a merchant or manufacturer exporter. The cost of Membership remains the same.

The fee for EPCH RCMC is as follows:

Note: Should pay the fee only in the case of exporter and manufacturer-exporters.

If the applicant wants only Membership, then the Membership is granted without any additional cost.

EPCH membership is valid for upto 5 years. However, an annual renewal fee is to be submitted, which is due each year from the 1st of April and has to be submitted by the 30th of June.

EPCH RCMC renewal Fees for each annual year

Benefits of EPCH membership registration

• Buyer-seller meet
• Better infrastructure
• Tax relaxation for exporters
• Direct interaction between members and government bodies
• Helps create awareness and market development programmers
• Access to Data and various initiatives to improve the handicraft industry
• Members can take part in international trade events organized by EPCH

Roles of export promotion council for handicraft?

• Providing commercially useful information and assistance to members in developing and increasing exports
• Offering professional advice and services to members in areas of technology upgradation, quality and design improvement, standards and specifications, product development, innovation etc
• Organizing visits of delegation of its members abroad to explore overseas market opportunities
• Organizing Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair in New Delhi
• Interaction between exporting community and Govt. both at the Central and State level and representation in almost all the committees or panels of Central and State and represents in almost all the committees or panels of Central and State
• To create an environment of awareness through Workshops on "Export Marketing, Procedures and Documentation," Packaging, Design Development, Buyer Seller Meet, Open House etc., interaction with Central and State Govt. and various other similar programs.
• Dissemination of government notification, orders, information on trade and other relevant information to members