Council for Leather Export (CLE) Membership

You need a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) to legally claim export incentives, participate in global trade promotion events and receive essential benefits from the Indian Government. Getting this certificate means you officially join CLE. It shows you are a genuine exporter of leather goods. The RCMC is necessary for your business to grow big in the international market, ensuring you meet government rules

The Council for Leather Exports is the main group for the Indian leather industry. It is a government-supported organization. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry runs this group so it has strong backing. CLE acts as the official bridge between the leather industry and the government of India. They work to promote Indian leather and leather products all over the world

CLE works hard for Indian exporters. They help businesses sell their products in countries like the USA, Germany, Italy, and France. These countries buy a lot of leather from India. CLE’s main job is to develop the industry. They make sure the export trade runs smoothly for everyone

CLE offers two basic types of membership for exporters. The two categories are Associate Members and Ordinary Members

1. Associate Members

This category is for smaller exporters. You qualify as an Associate Member if your Free on Board (FOB) value of exports in the previous financial year was below ₹15 lakh. These members typically pay lower fees. The Associate status is a great starting point. It allows new or small-scale exporters to access essential CLE benefits. You still get the RCMC. You can still use government schemes

2. Ordinary Members

This is the main category for larger, established exporters. You become an Ordinary Member if your FOB value of exports in the last financial year was above ₹15 lakh. The Ordinary Member group is split into several sub-categories.

Joining CLE brings many direct and strong benefits to your export business. 
 

Access to Government Schemes: A valid CLE RCMC is required to avail many government schemes. These schemes include the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme and  Duty-Free Import Scheme (DFIS)

Participation in Global Events: CLE organizes or takes part in major international trade fairs. They also organize exhibitions and Buyer-Seller Meets. As a member, you get subsidized participation fees for these events. This allows you to meet international buyers directly

Market Intelligence and Policy Updates: CLE collects very important information on global trends. They share this data with members through their magazine and circulars. You will stay updated on new policies, customs changes and international regulations. 

Technical and Infrastructure Support: The Council also offers support for modernizing your operations. This includes schemes for the technology up-gradation of plant and machinery. Such support helps small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) become more efficient

To get a CLE membership and an RCMC you must meet some basic requirements.

1. Business Activity: Your main line of business must be the export of leather. This includes leather products. It also covers leather footwear. If you export different types of products you must declare leather as your primary export product

2. Entity Registration: You must be a legally registered business entity in India. This could be a Proprietorship, a Partnership Firm, an LLP or a Private/Public Limited Company.

3. Valid IEC: You must have a current and valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) number. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issues this code. The IEC is the fundamental requirement for all export and import activities in India. 

4. Manufacturer Status (If Applicable): If you are a manufacturer-exporter you need to show proof of your manufacturing setup. This proof includes documents like a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) certificate 

The entire registration and renewal process is now digital. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal is the single and common gateway for all RCMC services. 

Step 1: Access the DGFT Portal.

Visit the DGFT website. You must log in using your existing IEC credentials. If you are not registered on the DGFT portal you must register first. Your IEC itself is usually your primary identifier there

Step 2: Start the RCMC Application.

Navigate to the ‘Services’ section. Select the ‘e-RCMC’ menu. Choose the option to apply for a fresh RCMC or renew an existing one

Step 3: Select CLE as Registering Authority.

Select the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) as your desired Export Promotion Council (EPC) while filling the application

Step 4: Fill the Form and Upload Documents

Complete the application form. The form asks for details about your business. It also asks for your export performance. You must then upload the digital copies of all required documents. Make sure all your files are clear and legible

Step 5: Pay the Fee.

The system calculates the correct membership fee based on your declared export turnover. You must pay this fee online using the integrated payment gateway. You can use net banking, credit cards or UPI

Step 6: CLE Verification and Issuance.

After you submit and pay, the application goes to CLE for review. CLE verifies the uploaded documents and information. If everything is correct, CLE approves the application

Make sure you have digital, self-attested copies of the following:

• Valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC)
• PAN Card
• GST Registration Certificate
• Export Performance Proof
• Previous RCMC Copy
• Manufacturer Exporter Proof (If Applicable)
• Authorization Letter

The fees for CLE membership and RCMC registration are structured based on the membership category.

Member Category (Based on Export FOB Value).	Entrance Fee	Annual Fee (Approx.)	Total (Including 18% GST.)
Associate Members (Below ₹15 Lakh)	₹3,500	₹5,000	₹10,030
Ordinary Members (Above ₹15 Lakh up to ₹1 Crore)	₹5,000	₹7,000	₹14,160
Ordinary Members (Above ₹100 Crore)	₹5,000	₹50,000	₹64,900

 

Note: These figures are approximate, please check the latest circulars on the DGFT portal for the current exact fee structure

Understanding the difference between the RCMC validity and the membership renewal is key. Many exporters forget this important detail.

The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) itself is issued for a fixed period of five financial years. The validity starts from April 1st of the licensing year when it was issued. It ends on March 31st of the fifth financial year.

Although the certificate is valid for five years, the CLE membership must be renewed every single financial year by paying the annual subscription fee. This yearly payment is mandatory. Your RCMC is considered valid only as long as you pay the annual membership fee to the Council.

Managing all these rules and submissions can feel complicated. Dealing with the DGFT portal, ensuring documents are certified correctly, and tracking the annual renewal deadline takes a lot of time. That time is better spent growing your core export business

Agile Regulatory understands the leather export sector completely. We offer expert consulting to make your RCMC process simple, fast and fully compliant. We help you with every single step

Contact Agile Regulatory today. You can make your CLE membership and RCMC compliance effortless. Focus on expanding your global leather footprint while we manage the complex paperwork for you. We make sure you always remain compliant and ready to export.