IOPEPC Registration: Oilseeds Export Council Membership and RCMC
IOPEPC registration is membership of the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council, which issues the RCMC for exporters of oilseeds and edible and non-edible oils. You need an IEC first. The council lists associate and ordinary membership with set fees. We prepare the file and handle renewal.
What it is
The Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) was founded on 23 June 1956 in Bombay and is based in Mumbai. It looks after exports of major oilseeds, edible oils and non-edible oils. Membership gives you a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate, or RCMC.
DGFT asks for an RCMC when you apply for an export authorisation or a benefit under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (para 2.57(a)). Our page on RCMC registration explains how the councils fit together. Here we cover the oilseeds council only, and we check your product against its scope before filing.
Who it applies to
Oilseed and oil exporters
A Gujarat or Rajasthan firm shipping groundnut, sesame or castor products abroad belongs with IOPEPC. Associate membership is the usual starting point for a new exporter.
Merchant exporters
If you buy from processors and export under your own IEC, you apply as an exporter in the same way. Get your Import Export Code in place first.
Established exporters
Ordinary membership needs minimum average exports of ₹10 crore for B members and ₹25 crore for A members over the three preceding financial years, with bank verification.
Why it matters
RCMC for DGFT schemes
Scheme applications ask for a valid RCMC. Without one, Advance Authorisation and similar files can stall at the DGFT stage.
A named category for your size
The council separates associate and ordinary members, so a first-year exporter is not asked for the fee of a large house.
Market information through the council
Members receive the council’s trade circulars and market insights. The council also represents the trade before government.
Documents required
Universal
- PAN of the applicant
- Original bank certificate (mandatory)
- Contact details of officers or members, as the entity type requires
Constitution
- Memorandum and Articles for a company
- Partnership deed for a firm
- Trust deed or bye-laws for trusts and societies
Exporter proof
- IEC certificate from DGFT
- Manufacturer certificate from the District Industries Centre, where relevant
- Export figures for the three preceding years for ordinary membership
How it works
Confirm the product fits IOPEPC
We check your HS codes against oilseeds, edible oils and non-edible oils, so you do not apply to the wrong council.
Pick associate or ordinary membership
We match your export history to the category. Ordinary membership needs the average-export threshold and bank documentation.
Prepare documents and the bank certificate
We assemble the constitution papers, PAN and IEC, and brief you on the bank certificate, which the council treats as mandatory.
File, pay and diarise renewal
We submit the application, pay the fee and follow up with the council. We then record the renewal date so the RCMC does not lapse.
IOPEPC fees at a glance
The council publishes these fees including 18% GST. They cover entrance and the first annual subscription.
| Category | Entrance fee | Annual subscription | Total for a new member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | ₹17,500 | ₹10,000 | ₹32,450 |
| Ordinary | ₹25,000 | ₹15,000 | ₹47,200 |
Renewal is ₹11,800 for associate members and ₹17,700 for ordinary members. Here is the catch: you must renew each year, so pick the category you truly qualify for, not just the lowest fee. Check the council’s current fee table on the day you apply.
Timelines
Annual renewal
Renew before 30 April each year. The council states that non-renewal leads to automatic cancellation of membership.
RCMC validity under FTP
An RCMC issued through the DGFT e-RCMC system is valid for five financial years ending 31 March, subject to the council’s annual subscription.
Processing time
The council does not publish a fixed processing time, so we do not promise one. We follow up and tell you where the file stands.
What happens if you miss renewal
Automatic cancellation
Membership is cancelled if you do not renew before 30 April. Re-applying means paying the entrance fee again.
RCMC no longer supports benefits
A cancelled membership leaves your RCMC without council backing. DGFT scheme applications can be delayed or refused.
Shipments planned around schemes get stuck
If you have a pending Advance Authorisation or duty benefit, a lapse hits at the worst time. We diarise the renewal date for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is IOPEPC registration?
It is membership of the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council, the body that issues the RCMC for exporters of oilseeds, edible oils and non-edible oils. DGFT asks for the RCMC when you apply for an authorisation or an export benefit. You need an active IEC before you can apply. We check scope and file the application for you.
What does IOPEPC membership cost?
A new associate member pays ₹17,500 entrance plus ₹10,000 subscription, which comes to ₹32,450 with 18% GST. A new ordinary member pays ₹25,000 plus ₹15,000, which is ₹47,200 with GST. Renewals are ₹11,800 for associates and ₹17,700 for ordinary members. We confirm the current table before you pay.
Who can become an ordinary member?
A B ordinary member needs minimum average exports of ₹10 crore over the three preceding financial years, verified by a bank certificate. An A ordinary member needs six years as a B member and minimum average exports of ₹25 crore. Everyone else joins as an associate. We check your export figures and suggest the right category.
Is an IEC compulsory for IOPEPC registration?
Yes for exporters, since the council asks for the IEC certificate or a manufacturer certificate from the District Industries Centre. Associate members must hold an IEC from DGFT, or be non-residents with an Indian address. If you do not have one yet, we can apply for it first. See our import export registration page.
When must I renew IOPEPC membership?
Renew before 30 April every year. The council says that failing to renew leads to automatic cancellation of membership. We diarise the date and send you a reminder well before it, so your RCMC stays active for any scheme application you have in progress.
What is the bank certificate for?
The council lists an original bank certificate as mandatory for every applicant. It supports the council’s check on your export position, and for ordinary membership it verifies the average-export threshold. We give you a draft request to take to your bank so the certificate comes in the correct form.
How long is the RCMC valid?
An RCMC issued through the DGFT e-RCMC system is valid for five financial years ending 31 March under the Foreign Trade Policy. You still pay the council’s annual subscription to keep membership live. We record both dates so that neither is missed.
What does Taxhint do and what does the council do?
We check scope, choose the category, prepare documents, file the application, pay the fee and handle follow-up and renewals. The council decides on admission and issues the RCMC, and your bank issues the bank certificate. A practising CA signs any certificate that the file needs.
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.
Ready to begin?
Send us your product list and export figures, and we will tell you which IOPEPC category fits and what the file needs.