CAPEXIL Certification

At Agile Regulatory, we handle the entire CAPEXIL registration process for you, including eligibility check, document preparation, application filing on the DGFT portal, panel selection, fee payment support, and follow-ups. Our team guarantees the timely and secure issuance of your CAPEXIL RCMC certificate. Talk to a CAPEXIL expert now and get a free eligibility check with no hidden charges.

Capexil License Sample Certificate

CAPEXIL certification is the registration that exporters get as an identifier from the Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India. Once your application is approved, you will receive a document called the RCMC. The full form of RCMC is Registration-cum-Membership Certificate.

RCMC document allows exporters to become eligible for government schemes, refunds, and trade support. The certificate confirms that:

1. You are a member of the council.

2. You are a registered exporter for the specific products you deal in.

Under India's Foreign Trade Policy, an RCMC from the correct Export Promotion Council is required to claim most export benefits. If your product falls under CAPEXIL's list, CAPEXIL is your correct council.

Details on CAPEXIL Council

A few basic facts worth knowing:

Point	Detail
Set up in	March 1958
Set up by	Ministry of Commerce, Government of India
Status	Non-profit export promotion council, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Registered office	Kolkata, West Bengal
Regional offices	Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai
Product panels	16 panels
Official CAPEXIL website	capexil.org

CAPEXIL does not function as a licensing council. It is like a support system that runs trade fairs, shares market data, helps with buyer-seller meets, raises exporter issues with the government, and issues the certificates allowing you to claim benefits.

CAPEXIL, Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India membership refers to the affiliation of businesses in the chemical and allied industries with the council. Joining CAPEXIL as a member is a voluntary initiative for companies engaged in the export of products falling within the council's purview, such as chemicals, plastics, rubber, and allied items. By becoming a CAPEXIL member, businesses gain access to a range of benefits and support services aimed at promoting and facilitating their export activities. Some of the advantages of CAPEXIL membership include:

• Access to market intelligence and research reports to help businesses understand global market trends, demand, and competition.

• Participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, and promotional events organized by CAPEXIL to showcase products and connect with potential buyers.

• The chance to network with other industry players, both domestically and internationally, fostering collaborations and partnerships.

• Representation of members' interests to government authorities, helping to address issues related to export policies, regulations, and incentives.

• Regular updates on industry-related information, trade policies, and guidance on export-related matters.

• Access to training programs and workshops aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of exporters.

• The word "chemical" in the name confuses many people. CAPEXIL covers far more than chemicals. Its products are divided into 16 groups called panels. You must select the correct panel(s) while applying.

  The panels include:

• Auto Tyres and Tubes

• Ceramics and Allied Products

• Bulk Minerals and Ores

• Important: Each extra panel you add attracts an additional fee. So do not blindly select every panel and go for only ones that you actually export. Adding wrong panels will increase the registration cost and can delay approval.

  You can also use the Product Lookup tool on the CAPEXIL website, or send us your HSN code and we will confirm it free of cost.

• Processed Minerals

• Ossein and Gelatine Products

• Cement, Clinkers and Asbestos Products

• Graphite, Explosives and Accessories

• Natural Stones and Products (granite, marble, sandstone)

• Paper, Paper Board and Paper Products

• Plywood and Allied Products

• Rubber Products

• Glass and Glassware Products

• Animal By-Products (ABP)

• Paints, Printing Ink and Allied Products

• Books, Publications and Printing

• Miscellaneous Products

Here are the advantages of applying for the CAPEXIL certificate in India:

1. Access to government export incentives: Schemes like RoDTEP (refund of duties and taxes on exported products) and duty exemption schemes generally require a valid RCMC. No RCMC, no claim.

2. Eligibility for MAI and MSME support schemes: CAPEXIL runs Market Access Initiative (MAI) and MSME assistance schemes that can partly fund your participation in international trade fairs. For a small business, this is real capital saved.

3. Free entry into the export ecosystem: Trade enquiries, buyer-seller meets, delegations abroad, monthly bulletins, export statistics and market research reports all become accessible with membership.

4. Credibility with foreign buyers: A government-recognised council membership tells an overseas buyer that you are a genuine, traceable exporter. This helps generate trust and a good reputation with new clients.

5. Smoother customs and documentation: Many export-linked approvals and applications ask for RCMC details. Having it ready prevents last-minute shipment delays.

6. Policy voice: If your sector faces a problem, say a new EU regulation on stone exports, the council takes it up with the ministry on behalf of members.

Keep the following documents ready in PDF format before you start. Blurry scans and oversized files are the number one reason applications get stuck.

For all applicants:

1. Valid IEC certificate issued by DGFT

2. PAN card of the business entity

3. GST registration certificate

4. Proof of business existence — Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Deed, or Proprietorship proof

5. Cancelled cheque or bank certificate

6. Self-declaration that the firm is not blacklisted or debarred by any government body

7. Export turnover statement (FOB value in INR) on company letterhead, self-certified

8. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar-based e-signature of the authorised signatory

9. Details of the authorised representative — name, designation, contact

10. Passport-size photo of the authorised signatory

Additional for manufacturer exporters:

11. Industrial Licence / Manufacturing Licence / Udyam Registration

12. Factory address proof

Additional for the ABP panel/Plant Approval:

13. CA certificate on investment in plant and machinery

14. Plant layout and processing details

15. Test reports, where applicable

A note on the turnover certificate

• If you apply between 1st April and 30th June, submit the export turnover of the year before the immediately preceding financial year.

• If you apply from 1st July onwards, submit the export turnover of the immediately preceding financial year.

The certificate must be signed and stamped by a Key Managerial Person, including Director, CFO, CMD, Proprietor, or Partner.

Since DGFT moved to a common digital platform, RCMC applications are filed electronically. You no longer need to courier files to a regional office for the main RCMC.

Step 1: Create your DGFT account

Go to the DGFT portal and register using your IEC. Your login credentials will be linked to your IEC. 

Your firm's name must exactly match the name registered against your IEC.

Step 2: Open the e-RCMC section

After logging in to CAPEXIL on DGFT, navigate to the e-RCMC module and start a fresh application.

Step 3: Fill in business details

Enter company name, registered address, IEC, PAN, date of incorporation, and nature of business (manufacturer/merchant/both).

Step 4: Select CAPEXIL as your council

From the list of Export Promotion Councils, select Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL). Then choose your product panel(s).

Step 5: Add authorised signatory details

Name, designation, mobile number and email of the person who will sign the application.

Step 6: Upload documents

Upload all documents in PDF format as per the portal's size and clarity requirements.

Step 7: Pay the fees online

Pay the admission fee plus membership subscription through the online payment gateway, based on your turnover slab and the number of years you are applying for.

Step 8: Sign and submit

Sign digitally using DSC or Aadhaar e-sign, then submit. An application reference number is generated, which you should save.

Step 9: Verification by the council

CAPEXIL reviews your application and documents. If any clarification is needed, they raise a query. In that case, be sure to respond quickly, as any delay in this step could take weeks to be resolved.

Step 10: Certificate issued

Once approved, your CAPEXIL RCMC is generated digitally and can be downloaded from the portal.

Typical timeline: You can get CAPEXIL certification in 7 to 15 working days if documents are complete and no query is raised. Incomplete files can stretch this to a month or more.

Which Portal Do You Use to "Log in to CAPEXIL"?

There is no single CAPEXIL login but four different portals depending on what you need:

What you need	Where to log in
New RCMC / renewal	DGFT e-RCMC portal (dgft.gov.in)
ABP panel certification & Plant Approval Certificate	capexilcertifications.in
Sawn timber certification	sawntimber.capexil.org
Filing annual export returns	members.capexil.org

General information, circulars, fee structure and panel details sit on the main CAPEXIL website, capexil.org.

If you land on the wrong portal and cannot find your application, this is usually why.

Here is the current CAPEXIL RCMC fees structure as per the council's official fee page:

Admission Fee (one-time)

Turnover slab	Admission fee
₹0 – ₹25 lakh	₹3,000 + GST
Above ₹25 lakh	₹5,000 + GST

Other Charges

Item	Charge
Each additional product panel	₹1,000 + GST per panel
Institutions and non-CAPEXIL HSN codes	Flat ₹50,000 + GST per annum, irrespective of turnover
Shipment Clearance Certificate (ABP)	₹1,180 including GST

Important Fee Rules to Know

• From 1st April 2024, the RCMC fee is charged as a multiple of the number of years of membership you apply for. So if you apply for 5 years validity, you pay for 5 years upfront.

• The dual RCMC fee has been removed. The Manufacturer and Merchant categories have been merged, so you are no longer charged twice if you are both.

• Members who have already paid subscription for multiple years may continue with their RCMC until its validity date, provided any balance amount is cleared.

• Turnover documents and the fee difference (based on updated turnover) must be submitted every year.

Please verify before you pay. Government and council fees are revised from time to time.  

Validity and Renewal of the CAPEXIL Certificate

Under the current Foreign Trade Policy framework, an RCMC can be issued for a validity of up to 5 years. Apart from this, an applicant is also required to maintain compliance.

Even with a 5-year certificate, you must:

• Submit your self-certified export turnover statement (FOB value in INR) on company letterhead every year.

• Pay any difference in fees if your turnover has moved into a higher slab.

• Keep your business details (address, signatory, panels) updated annually.

In case you fail to adhere to these requirements, your RCMC can be suspended or cancelled. A suspended RCMC means blocked incentive claims at exactly the moment you need them.

How to Renew CAPEXIL Certificate

• Log in to the relevant portal.

• File the renewal application.

• Upload updated turnover and documents.

• Pay the applicable fees.

• Download the renewed certificate after approval.

Our team tracks renewal dates for all our clients and reminds you well before expiry, so you are never caught off guard.

Certificates Issued by CAPEXIL (Apart From RCMC)

CAPEXIL issues more than one type of certificate. Choose carefully for the one your business needs.

1. RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate)

The main CAPEXIL certification for all exporters of CAPEXIL products. Applied through the DGFT e-RCMC portal.

2. CAPEXIL Plant Approval Certificate (PAC)

This one is specific to the Animal By-Products (ABP) panel for products like ossein, gelatine, bone chips, crushed bones, horn and hoof meal, and similar items.

If you export these, especially to the European Union, your processing unit itself must be approved. The CAPEXIL plant approval certificate confirms that your plant meets the required hygiene and processing standards.

Key points on PAC:

• For MSME and large manufacturer exporters, PAC is valid for a maximum of 2 years, expiring on 31st March, whichever is earlier.

• For merchant exporters, PAC is valid for a maximum of 1 year, and depends on the validity of the supporting manufacturer's PAC.

• MSME units are treated as those with original investment in plant and machinery below ₹5 crore.

• A Chartered Accountant's investment certificate must be submitted.

• PAC applications are filed on a separate portal: capexilcertifications.in

3. Shipment Clearance Certificate

The Shipment Clearance Certificate is issued along with ABP shipments. As per the council's published fee structure, this carries a fee of ₹1,180 including GST.

4. Health Certificate

Issued for certain animal by-product consignments, mainly for EU-bound shipments.

5. Sawn Timber Certification

Handled on a dedicated portal (sawntimber.capexil.org) for exporters dealing in sawn timber products.

CAPEXIL Regional Offices

While RCMC filing is online, you may sometimes need to contact your regional office for queries, panel clarifications or ABP-related matters.

Region	Location
Registered Office / Eastern Region	Vanijya Bhavan (3rd Floor), International Trade Facilitation Centre, 1/1 Wood Street, Kolkata – 700016
Western Region	Commerce Centre, 4th Floor, Block No. D-17, Tardeo Road, Mumbai – 400034
Northern Region	Natya Ballet Centre, 2nd Floor, 21 Bhai Vir Singh Marg, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110001
Southern Region	Rasheed Mansion, 408 (Old No. 622), Anna Salai, Chennai – 600006

CAPEXIL Chennai handles the Southern Region — covering exporters from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. If you are a granite exporter in Krishnagiri or a gelatine unit near Chennai, this is your regional office.

Office addresses and contact details can change. Please confirm on the official CAPEXIL website before visiting.

CAPEXIL vs CHEMEXCIL vs SHEFEXIL: Which Council Is Yours?

Registering with the wrong council means paying fees, waiting weeks, and then discovering your product is not covered. This is a very expensive and time taking mistake so ensure to choose the right certification from the following:

Council	Full form	Covers
CAPEXIL	Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India	Minerals, ores, cement, ceramics, paper, plywood, rubber products, glass, natural stones, graphite, paints, animal by-products
CHEMEXCIL	Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics and Dyes Export Promotion Council	Basic organic and inorganic chemicals, dyes and dye intermediates, cosmetics, toiletries, essential oils, agrochemicals
SHEFEXIL	Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council	Shellac, lac products, forest produce, herbs, spices-related forest items, gums and resins

So:

• If you export dyes or cosmetics, you need a CHEMEXCIL certificate, not a CAPEXIL one.

• If you export shellac, lac or forest produce, you need a SHEFEXIL certificate.

• If you export granite, cement, paper, rubber goods or bone products, CAPEXIL is your council.

Some exporters deal in products spread across councils. In that case, more than one RCMC may be required. We map your HSN codes to the right council before you spend a rupee.

You should apply for a CAPEXIL certificate if you are:

• A manufacturer exporter who makes the product and exports it yourself

• A merchant exporter who buys from Indian manufacturers and then exports

• A manufacturer-cum-merchant exporter who does both (manufacturing & exporting)

• An Export Oriented Unit (EOU) dealing in CAPEXIL products

• A new exporter who has just received an IEC (Import Export Code) from DGFT

Basic eligibility conditions:

1. You must have a valid IEC issued by DGFT.

2. Your business must have a valid PAN.

3. Your export products must fall under one or more CAPEXIL panels.

4. Your firm must not be blacklisted or debarred by any government department.

5. You should be able to show export turnover details (or declare nil, if you are new).

As per the latest update, new exporters with zero export turnover can also register. You do not need past exports to get started.

We do not just file a form. Agile Regulatory manages the whole certification journey for you. Here’s why many exporters choose us:

• Document preparation and vetting: We prepare your self-declaration, format your turnover certificate correctly, and check every scan before upload.

• End-to-end online filing: We complete the DGFT e-RCMC application, panel selection, fee computation, and submission.

• Query handling: If the council raises a clarification, we respond on your behalf quickly.

• Renewal reminders and annual compliance: We track your renewal date, annual turnover submission, and fee differences, so your certificate never lapses.

• Multi-council support: Need a CHEMEXCIL or SHEFEXIL registration alongside? We handle those too.