Coconut Board Registration: RCMC for Coconut Product Exporters
Coconut Board registration means getting an RCMC from the Coconut Development Board, Kochi, which the Department of Commerce designated as the export promotion council for coconut products on 1 April 2009. If you export coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coconut water or shell products, this is the council you register with.
What it is
The Coconut Development Board is a statutory body set up under the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979. It started functioning on 12 January 1981, works from Kochi under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and looks after the integrated development of the coconut sector.
For exports, the Board also acts as an export promotion council. It covers coconut products but not products made from coconut husk and fibre, which belong to the Coir Board. It issues the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) that exporters need for Foreign Trade Policy benefits. We prepare the application, file it and answer the Board’s queries. Our RCMC registration guide covers how the certificate works across councils.
Who it applies to
Exporters of kernel and oil products
Desiccated coconut powder, coconut oil and virgin coconut oil, coconut milk and cream, and similar processed goods fall under the Board’s export jurisdiction.
Exporters of coconut water and specialty items
Tender coconut water, packed variants, nata-de-coco and coconut chutney powder are named products on the Board’s council page.
Shell products and handicrafts
Coconut shell products, coconut-based handicrafts and furniture are covered. Husk and fibre goods are not. They go to the Coir Board.
Why it matters
Needed for FTP benefits
Para 2.57(a) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 makes an RCMC a precondition for authorisations, benefits and concessions, unless specifically exempted.
The council recognises you
The Board’s page states that RCMC is mandatory for exporters of the products it covers, and it takes new and renewal applications online.
Reporting stays simple
Registered exporters report export turnover to the Board every month. We build that into your routine from day one.
Documents required
About the business
- IEC, self-attested
- PAN and GST registration certificate
- Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed or LLP agreement
About what you export
- List of coconut products with ITC(HS) codes
- Declaration whether you are a merchant, manufacturer or both
- Manufacturing proof such as FSSAI licence and Udyam registration, for manufacturers
People and bank
- Authorised signatory ID and photograph
- Cancelled cheque of the business account
- Email ID and mobile number linked to the portal login
How it works
Check this is your council
We read your product list against the Board’s coverage. Husk and fibre goods go to the Coir Board, and mixed exporters may need more than one RCMC.
Set up the IEC and records
If you lack an IEC we apply through our IEC registration service. We also match names and addresses across GST, FSSAI and bank papers.
Fill and file the application
We enter the business, product and category details on the Board’s application and attach the documents. The Board’s current form and fee schedule decide the exact list, and we confirm it before filing.
Answer queries and collect the RCMC
If the Board asks for a missing paper or clarification, we respond promptly. Once approved, you receive the RCMC.
Start monthly reporting and renewal diary
We note the monthly turnover reporting and set a renewal reminder so the RCMC does not lapse.
Coconut Board or Coir Board: which one do you need?
Both boards sit in the coconut economy, but they cover different goods. Pick by what is in the container.
| What you ship | Council |
|---|---|
| Coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coconut water, milk, cream | Coconut Development Board |
| Coconut shell products and shell-based handicrafts | Coconut Development Board |
| Coir fibre, yarn, mats and other coir products | Coir Board |
Take a Faridabad trading firm that sells desiccated coconut and coir mats to the same buyer. It deals with both boards. We look at the product mix once and tell you what to file.
Timelines
Before your first shipment
Apply for the RCMC before you apply for any policy benefit or concession. Here is the catch: the Board will not process the file without a live IEC, so we start there.
Every month
The Board’s council page lists monthly export turnover reporting for registered exporters. Put the date in your compliance calendar.
At renewal
The Board offers RCMC renewal forms. Check the validity on your certificate and renew before it expires. We track the date.
What happens if you export without the RCMC
No access to policy benefits
Without an RCMC, the benefits and concessions under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 stay out of reach as para 2.57(a) provides.
Delays with the Board
Applications with missing papers or unreported turnover slow the file. We respond to the Board’s queries on your behalf.
Expired certificate
A lapsed RCMC has to be renewed before you use it again. Renewing early is easier than starting over.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs Coconut Board registration?
Exporters of coconut products such as oil, desiccated coconut, coconut water, milk, cream and shell items need it. The Board’s council page states that an RCMC is mandatory for exporters of these goods. We read your product list and confirm whether this Board or another council is the right one.
Is coir covered by the Coconut Board?
No. The Board’s council page excludes products made from coconut husk and fibre. Coir fibre, yarn and mats are handled by the Coir Board of India. If you ship both coconut and coir goods, you may need two registrations, and we sort that out at the start.
What is the Coconut Development Board?
It is a statutory body under the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979. It started functioning on 12 January 1981, works from Kochi and falls under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. It also works as the export promotion council for coconut products.
Do I need an IEC first?
Yes. An IEC is the base registration for any exporter in India, and the RCMC application builds on it. If you do not have one yet, we apply for it first, and then prepare the Board application on top of it so every detail matches.
Is there a monthly reporting duty?
The Board’s export promotion council page lists monthly export turnover reporting for registered exporters. We set up a simple format from your shipping bills, so the monthly report takes minutes rather than hours. We also remind you before the date, so nothing slips.
What does registration cost?
The government fee is set by the Board and revised from time to time, so we confirm the current amount with the Board before you pay. We do not quote an outdated number. Our own fee is quoted separately after we know your category and product list.
How long does the RCMC stay valid?
Validity is stated on your certificate and depends on the Board’s current rules. Check the end date and renew before it passes. We note it in your compliance calendar, so renewal gets done early and your benefits stay uninterrupted.
Can a proprietor or partnership apply?
Yes. Proprietors, partnerships, LLPs and companies can apply, with the right constitution papers and an active IEC. Manufacturers add proof such as FSSAI and Udyam, and merchant exporters declare themselves as such. We tell you which documents match your structure.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
In practice, government charges are the Board’s own fee, which it revises from time to time. We confirm the current figure with the Board before you pay and never quote a stale number.
Ready to begin?
Send us your product list and IEC details, and we will tell you which RCMC you need and what to file.