In this article, learn the process of applying for registration in APEDA, the necessary documents and the benefits.
Introduction
APEDA is a one-time mandatory registration that offers exporters several benefit schemes for exporting scheduled agricultural products and processed foods. Established under the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, APEDA is a government agency that aims to promote the development of scheduled export products by providing financial assistance, information and statistics, standards-setting, and their implementation.
Scheduled products are those that are specifically mentioned under the APEDA Act. All such scheduled product(s) exporters must complete APEDA registration within one month from the date when the export business takes place. The validity of registration subsists as long as the authority does not cancel it.
Objective of APEDA
The main purpose of APEDA is the promotion and development of scheduled export products. For the efficient administration of the APEDA Act, the authority also carries out the directions of the central government and implements the rules whenever necessary.
Features
1) Provision of financial assistance to scheduled export items along with the issue of recommendations and updates on the status of such products
2) Promotion and development of the scheduled export products
3) Standards establishment and guidelines for scheduled export items
4) Providing training to all such businesses that are engaged in the export of scheduled products
5) Collection and publication of statistics from the owners of processing plants or organisations that are involved in activities of manufacturing, processing, packaging, advertising, or export of the scheduled export products
6) Promotion of export-oriented manufacturing and thereby aid in the expansion of the scheduled goods
7) Improvement of the packaging and marketing of the scheduled export goods
8) Assisting in the inspection of the items to ensure quality products
9) Registration of exporters of scheduled items is made on payment of the requisite fees
10) Provision of inspection facilities in terms of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, conveyances, or other storage areas for quality assurance.
List of Products under APEDA
The APEDA Act, 1985 lists down the following scheduled export products for their development and marketing:
- Meat and other poultry-related products
- Jaggery, Honey, and Sugar Products
- Fruits and Vegetables and any products made from them
- All Chocolates and Cocoa Products
- Guar Gum
- All Types of Condiments like Pickle, Papad, and Chutney
- Floriculture and Floriculture Products
- Cereal and Cereal Products
- Both types of Beverages, whether Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic
- Dairy Products
- Products of Confectionery, Biscuits, and Bakery
- Cereals and Cereal-related Products
- Groundnuts, Walnuts, and Peanuts
- Herbal and Medicinal Plants
APEDA Registration Process
APEDA is a one-time registration, and all applicants must submit their forms for registration within one month of starting their business. However, in case the exporters of scheduled commodities fail to register within the prescribed time limit for valid reasons, only then the Authority shall extend the deadline of registration. After correctly filling out the application with the requisite payment of a specified amount, the authority will issue the exporters a Registration-Cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC). After that, all the registered members shall abide by the norms and regulations under the Act of APEDA.
Documents Required
- APEDA application form, duly signed
- A copy of the Import-Export code from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (D.G.F.T.) Bank
- Authorities’ signatures on the bank details and certifications
- Bank statement of the firm’s account for the last two months
- Canceled Cheque
- Mandatory certified copy of MOA in case of a company and partnership deed in case of the partnership business.
Online Registration Process
To simplify the process for easy business conduct, the exporter applicants can now apply online using digital signatures. They can follow the steps below to submit the online application:
- First, visit the APEDA website and log in. From the drop-down menu, click “Register as Member”
- Provide the required details, such as the Code, Email ID, and Mobile Number and after that, click the submit button
- Next, enter the One Time Password on the verification screen, which will be delivered to your email address and phone number
- Once completed with the verification process, apply online with all the essential documents. For the documents, only JPEG, PDF, or PNG formats should be used
- The online application process can be completed in one or more sessions by returning to the website and entering the provided OTP, the online application process can be completed in one or perhaps more sessions. And save the details once the information has been entered into the appropriate areas. Changes in such information can be made as long as you have not yet made the payment online
- Make the payment of APEDA registration ₹5,000 fees (excluding taxes) through any of these modes:
-Debit Card
-Credit Card
- Demand draft payable to APEDA with respective cities
- Following payment, an application number will be produced, which could be used for future reference
- The login information will be emailed to the exporter’s registered email address with the issuing of the Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC). The exporter can access their account by clicking the “Exporter Login” link
- An applicant can check the RCMC application status by the click of the “Track Application” link and entering the Import-Export Code and application number until it is approved
- If there is an error in the application, the exporter must monitor the situation and resubmit the documentation online
- The final step is RCMC approval. Once it is obtained, the Certificate may be accessed via APEDA Login under the head “View RCMC Certificate”.
Advantages
Some of the advantages that Registration offers are:
- APEDA Registration offers the benefit of a legal backup to the business
- Once registered, exporters can use APEDA subsidies to expand and improve their export infrastructure and market development operations
- Awareness assistance to exporters of the most current quality requirements, trade fairs, infrastructural support, and agricultural exchange reports
- Exporters with registration in APEDA will be entitled to participate in various training programmes for the development of business skills
- Provision of guidelines and instructions regarding various scheduled items to improve the structure of the business
- Financial assistance schemes are available in APEDA Registration
- Brand publicity of exporters in the market.
Conclusion
APEDA’s primary goal has been to increase the export of scheduled products by the provision of financial assistance, appropriate updates, guidelines and statistics, development of standards, and their application for better development and enhancement of the export of agricultural products. These scheduled items are those agricultural products that are specifically mentioned under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority(APEDA) Act of 1985. Every agricultural exporter is required to possess an APEDA certification to avail of the benefits of export scheduled products. To know more about APEDA and its registration process, please visit the website at Vakilsearch and let the experts guide you.
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