Certifications
RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate)
An official certificate issued by Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, or other export development authorities in India. Under the Foreign Trade Policy, an RCMC is mandatory for exporters seeking to claim benefits, duty drawbacks, duty exemptions, or tax concessions.
IEC (Importer Exporter Code)
A primary registration code consisting of a 10-digit number (currently linked to the PAN of the entity) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). An IEC is a pre-requisite for importing goods into or exporting goods out of India.
DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) for DGFT
A digital equivalent of a physical signature, used to authenticate electronic documents filed on the DGFT portal. For DGFT transactions, a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (often linked to the IEC) is required to ensure secure online filings.
Certificate of Origin (CoO)
An important international trade document certifying that the goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country. CoO can be Non-Preferential or Preferential (for availing lower import tariffs under Trade Agreements).
Status Holder Certificate (Export House)
A recognition certificate granted by the DGFT to business entities that have achieved a specified level of export performance in the current and previous three financial years. Recognized firms are categorized as One Star to Five Star Export Houses.
Free Sale Certificate
A certificate issued by the DGFT to manufacturers or exporters of medical devices, cosmetics, food items, or other consumer goods. It certifies that the goods are freely sold in the domestic market of India and are safe for use, facilitating imports in foreign countries.
REX (Registered Exporter System) Registration
A system of certification of origin of goods introduced by the European Union for GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) countries. Under the REX system, registered exporters can self-certify the origin of their goods by making a 'statement on origin' on commercial documents.
CHIMS (Chip Import Monitoring System)
A mandatory online registration mechanism established by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and DGFT. Importers of specific integrated circuits (ICs) must register on this portal and obtain an import registration number before importing.
SIMS (Steel Import Monitoring System)
A mandatory import registration system introduced by the Ministry of Steel and DGFT. Importers of specific steel products (under Chapters 72 and 73 of ITC HS) must provide advance information on imports to generate a unique registration number.
PIMS (Paper Import Monitoring System)
A mandatory online registration system introduced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for paper and paperboard imports. Importers of specific paper products must obtain a registration number prior to the shipment arrival.
NFMIMS (Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System)
A monitoring platform established by the Ministry of Mines and DGFT. It requires importers of major non-ferrous metals like Copper and Aluminium (under Chapters 74 and 76 of ITC HS) to register details of imports in advance.
CIMS (Coal Import Monitoring System)
A mandatory import registration scheme implemented by the Ministry of Coal and DGFT. Importers of Anthracite, Bituminous, Coking Coal, and Steam Coal must submit advance details of coal shipments to get a unique registration code.
Duty Exemption
EPCG & Incentives
EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods) Scheme
A scheme designed to facilitate import of capital goods (machinery, equipment, tools, spares) for pre-production, production, and post-production at zero customs duty. This is subject to an export obligation equivalent to 6 times of duty saved on capital goods, to be fulfilled in 6 years.
EPCG Direct Import of Capital Goods
The standard process of importing machinery directly from an overseas supplier using the EPCG license, allowing the importer to clear the capital goods from Indian customs with zero duty payment.
Domestic Sourcing of Capital Goods under EPCG
An alternative option under the EPCG scheme where instead of importing machinery from abroad, the license holder sources the capital goods from an Indian manufacturer. The domestic manufacturer receives benefits like Deemed Exports.
Import of Spares and Accessories under EPCG
An allowance under the EPCG scheme that permits the duty-free import of spare parts, accessories, components, and refractory materials required for the maintenance and operation of existing machinery.
EPCG Export Obligation (EO) Extension
An administrative process to extend the 6-year period for fulfilling the Export Obligation under the EPCG scheme. If an exporter cannot meet the EO due to market downturns, they can apply for an extension upon paying a composition fee.
EPCG License Closure / Redemption
The final step in the life cycle of an EPCG license. Once the exporter has successfully fulfilled the Export Obligation (both specific and average), they must submit detailed records to the DGFT RA to obtain a Redemption Letter, which releases their customs liability.
RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products)
A flagship incentive scheme that replaces the MEIS scheme. RoDTEP refunds exporters the embedded central, state, and local duties/taxes paid on inputs (such as electricity duty, VAT on fuel, mandi tax, stamp duty) that are not refunded under other existing schemes.
Duty Drawback (DBK) Scheme
A scheme administered by the Department of Revenue (Customs) under which customs duties paid on imported raw materials or excise duties paid on domestic inputs used in the manufacture of export products are refunded back to the exporter.
Interest Equalization Scheme (IES) on Export Credit
An interest subvention scheme implemented by the RBI and DGFT that provides interest rebates on pre-shipment and post-shipment export credit (rupee loans) taken by eligible exporters.
Licences
Restricted Import Licences
A subset of Restricted Licences specifically dealing with the import of goods that are not free to enter India. This includes items like second-hand machinery, specific electronic components, chemical waste, and biological materials.
Restricted Export Licences
A subset of Restricted Licences specifically dealing with the export of items where foreign shipments are controlled. This covers agricultural goods during domestic shortages (e.g., wheat, rice, onions at times), specific wild animals, and rare minerals.
IEM (Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum)
An official filing system with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for setting up an industrial undertaking. It applies to industries that are exempt from industrial licensing under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act.
IEM Part-A (Establishment of Unit)
The initial filing of the Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum. It is submitted by an entrepreneur before starting the construction of the factory or setting up the plant, declaring the intent, location, proposed capacity, and investment size.
IEM Part-B (Commencement of Production)
The second and final filing of the Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum. It must be submitted by the entrepreneur within 30 days of the commencement of commercial production of the industrial unit, reporting the actual figures of investment, capacity, and employment.
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) License
A mandatory food safety registration and license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It is required for any food business operator (FBO) involved in the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, sale, or import/export of food products.
FSSAI Central Licence
The highest category of FSSAI license. It is mandatory for food business operators with an annual turnover exceeding INR 20 Crores, large-scale manufacturers, importers, exporters, e-commerce food operators, and units operating under central government agencies.
FSSAI State Licence
An FSSAI license issued by state food authorities. It is required for medium-sized food businesses (turnover between INR 12 Lakhs and INR 20 Crores per annum), including mid-sized restaurants, caterers, food distributors, and manufacturers.
FSSAI Annual Returns Filing
A mandatory annual compliance requirement for FSSAI Central and State license holders. Food business operators must submit reports detailing their food transactions, manufacturing quantities, and import/export details for the preceding financial year.
