SPICE Board Registration Process in Kerala (2026 Guide)

You need to obtain a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the Spices Board of India to legally export spices from Kerala. Securing the Spices Board RCMC is the one mandatory step for all Kerala-based exporters, granting legal permission and access to every government export incentive, which is necessary for trade. Kerala is known as the spice garden of India. It produces premium cardamom, pepper, ginger and turmeric. Since spices are food items, the rules for quality and documentation are very strict. This article breaks down the entire process

1. Establish Your Business and Get PAN

You must first decide on the legal type of your business. This could be a Proprietorship, a Partnership or a Private Limited Company

• PAN Card: You need a Permanent Account Number (PAN) in the company's name. This is your main tax identification
• Bank Account: You must open a current bank account. This account needs to be specifically designated for your export and import business. You must get a certificate from the bank confirming this. This is an important step

2. Get Your Export Passport (IEC)

The Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is the most important license. You cannot send any product out of India without this ten-digit code. You apply for the IEC online. This is done through the official Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) website. The IEC is like the license plate number for your export business. You cannot start trade without it

3. Register for GST

You must register your business for the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This is necessary even though your exports are tax-free. Exporting spices is considered Zero-Rated under GST law. This means you do not pay GST on the spices you sell to a foreign buyer.

4. The Mandatory Spices Board RCMC

You must secure the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the Spices Board of India. The Spices Board is the apex regulatory body for all spices in India. It is based in Kochi, Kerala. It is in charge of quality control, grading and promotion for Indian spices. Their RCMC is legally mandatory for exporting.

5. FSSAI License for Food Safety Compliance

Since spices are food items you must guarantee their safety. This is a non-negotiable step for all food exporters

• FSSAI Requirement: You must get a license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This confirms that your spice processing and packaging unit meets the country’s food hygiene rules
• International Standards: Foreign buyers especially in the European Union and the United States demand very high food safety standards

Read More Spice Board Registration in India for spice industry - Benefits, Process, Documents, and Validity

6. Spices Board Registration Process (Step-by-Step)

The process to get your RCMC is now fully online. You must follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Application. You log in to the official Spices Board online portal. This is where you fill out the application form. You must fill in details like your business type, the spices you plan to export and your registered address in Kerala.

Step 2: Document Upload. You must upload all the required documents. This includes the IEC, the GST certificate, the FSSAI license and the bank certificate

Step 3: Fee Payment. You pay the one-time registration fee and the annual subscription fee online

Step 4: Scrutiny and Issuance. The Spices Board Kerala office receives your application. They scrutinize all your documents carefully. They may ask for more information or clarification. You must respond quickly to any query. Once approved, the RCMC certificate is issued electronically. You download and use this certificate for all your shipments.

7. Validity, Renewal, and Annual Fees

The Spices Board RCMC is valid for a period of five years. However, you must maintain its validity yearly.

• Annual Fee: You must pay the annual subscription fee every single year. You must do this before the beginning of the next financial year. If you forget to pay the annual fee, your RCMC immediately becomes inoperative. This means you cannot claim any export benefit, which can seriously hurt your business cash flow.
• Renewal: After five years you must apply for full revalidation. You submit an application with updated documents showing your export performance during the five years.

Read More How to Export Spices from India – Complete Process and Documentation

8. Required Documents Checklist

You need all these documents for a successful application. You must get these ready beforehand:

• Valid IEC number and certificate copy.
• Valid GST certificate copy.
• Valid FSSAI license copy.
• Proof of the business's legal entity (e.g Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation, etc)
• Banker's certificate confirming the export-specific bank account.
• Chartered Accountant's (CA) certificate stating your export turnover for the last three years. If you are new, a NIL turnover certificate is needed instead, which is fine.

Final Words

Starting a spice export business from Kerala means navigating three main regulatory bodies: DGFT (for IEC), FSSAI (for food safety), and the Spices Board (for RCMC). The Spices Board is known for its high scrutiny especially on the quality and hygiene aspects which are linked to your FSSAI license

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