CHEMEXCIL Registration

After joining the council with membership, exporters receive a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate, also known as the CHEMEXCIL RCMC. This certificate helps in forming a membership with the respective export promotion council. It helps you avail schemes and benefits applicable.

Agile Regulatory expertly assists with CHEMEXCIL registration. Our team helps with the application process, which documents you need, how the CHEMEXCIL registration form works on the DGFT portal, what the fees depend on, and how to renew on time. Talk to our export compliance team for a free consultation. We check your product code, confirm the right council for you, and file the application on your behalf.

What is CHEMEXCIL?

The Government of India set up the Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council in 1963 for exporters as CHEMEXCIL. Its head office sits at Jhansi Castle, 7 Cooperage Road, Mumbai.

The council plays three main roles:

• It speaks for chemical exporters in front of the government and helps shape export policy.

• It runs trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and India pavilions at chemical shows abroad.

• It issues the CHEMEXCIL Certificate that lets you claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP).

CHEMEXCIL also acts as the nodal body for EU REACH guidance for Indian chemical exporters. It issues non-preferential Certificates of Origin for products in its basket.

CHEMEXCIL works to support Indian exporters in many ways. Here are its main goals:

• Promoting Exports: CHEMEXCIL helps Indian products gain recognition in foreign markets. 

• Providing Market Insights: The council offers updates on market trends and opportunities. Exporters get the information they need to make smart decisions

• Simplifying Regulations: Exporting can be tricky because of strict international rules. CHEMEXCIL guides its members through these regulations, helping them stay compliant.

• Advocating for Exporters: CHEMEXCIL works with government bodies to create policies that benefit exporters. It also addresses challenges faced by its members

• Building Credibility: Membership with CHEMEXCIL shows buyers that an exporter meets high standards. This can help businesses win more trust and deals.

Here are the advantages members get with the CHEMEXCIL certificate:

• FTP benefit eligibility: Most export schemes ask for a valid RCMC from the relevant council. Without it, your claim usually will not move forward.

• MAI-supported events: The council organises overseas exhibitions and buyer-seller meets under the Market Access Initiative scheme. So, members can meet foreign buyers at a lower cost.

• Certificate of Origin: The council issues non-preferential COO for products in its basket, which buyers and customs abroad often demand.

• Visa recommendation letters: Members can request letters addressed to embassies for business travel to trade fairs and delegations.

• Regulatory guidance: The council shares circulars on EU REACH, CLP labelling, foreign country restrictions and port-level issues.

• Trade enquiries and buyer leads: Members receive international trade enquiries collected by the council.

• Market data and publications: Export statistics, country reports and product-wise performance data help you plan where to sell next.

Note: Membership does bring multiple benefits, but it does not guarantee orders, subsidies, loans or approval of any incentive claim. Every scheme has its own eligibility rules, deadlines and documentation. 

The council divides its product list into four panels. Check where your item sits before you fill the CHEMEXCIL registration form.

Panel I: Dyes and Dye Intermediates

Reactive dyes, direct dyes, vat dyes, acid dyes, disperse dyes, pigments, optical brighteners and dye intermediates.

Panel II: Basic Inorganic and Organic Chemicals, including Agrochemicals

Inorganic acids and salts, organic chemicals, solvents, industrial gases, fertiliser-grade chemicals, pesticide technicals and formulations.

Panel III: Cosmetics, Toiletries, Soaps, Detergents and Essential Oils

Skin care and hair care products, colour cosmetics, perfumes, bath soaps, detergents, surfactants, mint oils and other essential oils.

Panel IV: Speciality Chemicals and Castor Oil

Speciality and performance chemicals, lubricant additives, castor oil and castor oil derivatives.

The council keeps the detailed, item-level CHEMEXCIL products list on its official website, and DGFT keeps the binding list in Appendix 2T of the Foreign Trade Policy. Take those pages as the main reference before finalising any requirement.

Many exporters mix up these CHEMEXCIL membership and RCMC certificates. Although they are linked, they have the following differences:

Point	CHEMEXCIL Membership	CHEMEXCIL RCMC
What it means	You become a member of the council	The council certifies you as a registered exporter
Who issues it	CHEMEXCIL	CHEMEXCIL, through the DGFT e-RCMC platform
Why you need it	Access to trade fairs, market data, MAI support, council help	Proof needed to claim FTP benefits, duty schemes and incentives
Fee cycle	Subscription runs financial-year-wise; you pay every year	Issued for five years under FTP 2023, subject to active membership
Order of steps	Comes first	Comes after membership

In short, membership of the council is a pre-condition for getting the RCMC. This condition comes from Chapter 2 of the Handbook of Procedures under the Foreign Trade Policy. So you cannot skip the membership step and ask only for the certificate.

Who Should Apply for CHEMEXCIL Registration?

You should apply if your business falls in any of these groups:

• Manufacturer exporters who make chemicals, dyes, dye intermediates, cosmetics, or essential oils in their own unit.

• Merchant exporters who buy from Indian manufacturers and export under their own name.

• Merchant-cum-manufacturer exporters who do both.

• New exporters and MSMEs who have just received their IEC and want to start shipping chemical products.

Basic Eligibility Checklist

1. Your firm holds a valid Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT.

2. Your products fall under the CHEMEXCIL basket, not under another council such as PHARMEXCIL, CAPEXIL or AYUSHEXCIL.

3. Your firm is a legal entity, either a proprietorship, partnership, LLP, Private Limited Company or public limited company.

4. You can produce a CA-certified export turnover statement for the last three financial years on the CA's letterhead.

5. Your PAN, GST, and bank details match across all documents.

Important: The product classification decides the council. If your HS code sits with PHARMEXCIL or AYUSHEXCIL, a CHEMEXCIL RCMC will not help you claim benefits for that shipment. DGFT revises the product jurisdiction of councils from time to time through public notices. 

Keep clear, readable scans of these papers ready. Blurred uploads are the single biggest reason applications get sent back.

S.No.	Document	Notes
1	IEC certificate	Must be active and linked to your PAN
2	PAN card of the firm	Name must match the IEC exactly
3	Constitution proof	Partnership deed, LLP agreement, or MOA and AOA with the incorporation certificate
4	PAN and Aadhaar of directors, partners, or proprietor	For KYC of the authorised person
5	GST registration certificate	Where applicable
6	CA-certified export turnover statement	Last three financial years, on CA letterhead with UDIN
7	Bank certificate or cancelled cheque	In the firm's name
8	Manufacturing proof	Udyam or MSME certificate, factory licence, or industrial licence
9	Product details	Item description with HS codes you plan to export
10	Digital signature or Aadhaar e-sign	Needed to submit on the DGFT portal
11	Fee payment proof	Online payment receipt or NEFT/RTGS reference

Merchant exporters do not need the manufacturing proof, but they must declare their supplier arrangement correctly. A wrong declaration here can cause trouble at the time of a claim, so state your real status.

Since DGFT Trade Notice No. 35/2021-22 dated 24 February 2022, exporters must apply for a fresh RCMC, renewal, or amendment through the common digital e-RCMC platform on the DGFT website. You no longer file the RCMC application on the council's own portal.

Step 1: IEC and DGFT Login 

Create or open your account on the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in. Link your IEC and register a valid DSC or Aadhaar e-sign for the authorised signatory. 

Your DGFT credentials work as your main CHEMEXCIL login for the RCMC application.

Step 2: Open the e-RCMC module

On the DGFT portal, go to Services → e-RCMC → Apply for e-RCMC. Select "Fresh" for a new application, or "Renewal" or "Amendment" as needed.

Step 3: Select CHEMEXCIL as your council

Pick Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council from the list of EPCs. Then choose your exporter category from manufacturer exporter, merchant exporter or merchant-cum-manufacturer exporter.

Step 4: Fill the CHEMEXCIL registration form

The system pulls most firm details straight from your IEC profile. You fill in the remaining fields including product panels, HS codes, export turnover of the last three years, factory address, and your contact person. 

Check every field against your documents before you move ahead.

Step 5: Upload documents

Attach the scans from the checklist above. Keep each file within the size limit shown on screen and name files clearly, such as "IEC.pdf" and "CA-Turnover-FY24-25.pdf".

Step 6: Pay the membership subscription

Pay online through the portal, or transfer to the council's designated bank account and enter the reference number. Save the receipt.

Step 7: Council scrutiny

CHEMEXCIL officials check your application, verify your product basket, and may raise a query. Reply quickly, because the clock stops while a query is open. The council's membership helpline can guide you if a field is stuck.

Step 8: Get your CHEMEXCIL Certificate

After approval, DGFT issues the digital e-RCMC. You can download it from your dashboard any time. Save a PDF copy in your compliance folder and share it with your CHA and bank.

When papers are complete and the fee is paid, most applications close in about two to four weeks. Missing turnover certificates, mismatched names, and unclear scans are what stretch it longer.

The council charges a membership subscription in slabs. Your slab depends on the FOB value of your exports in an earlier financial year, and the council announces the reference year each time. For F.Y. 2026-27, for example, the council has stated that the fee will be charged on the FOB value of exports of F.Y. 2024-25. 

New exporters with no turnover history fall into the entry-level slab. GST also applies on top of the subscription amount.

Some other charges you should know about:

• RCMC amendment fee: The council charges an administrative fee for changes in an existing RCMC.

• Advance payment option: The council allows members to pay subscription in advance for three years.

• Professional fees: Any consultant's fee, including ours, is separate from the government and council charges.

Note: Ensure you verify the current amounts before you pay. Fee slabs change every financial year, and any figure printed on a private website can go stale within months. Download the latest membership fee slab PDF from the Membership section of chemexcil.in, or ask us for the current schedule in writing. 

Validity of CHEMEXCIL RCMC

Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, DGFT issues the e-RCMC for five years, beginning from 1 April of the licensing year. Council membership subscription, however, runs on a financial-year basis and expires on 31 March each year. 

So even though the certificate itself shows a five-year life, you must keep the annual subscription paid for it to stay active.

Renewal of CHEMEXCIL RCMC

• Subscription for the new year becomes due on 1 April and should be paid by 30 June.

• File the renewal through the same e-RCMC module on the DGFT portal.

• Keep your CA-certified turnover statement updated for the latest three financial years.

• If you let the subscription lapse, the council can hold back services, and your incentive claims can get stuck at the DGFT stage.

Tip: Set a calendar reminder for the first week of April every year. 

Take note of the following challenges and errors most exporters make for a smooth registration: 

• Wrong council: Filing with CHEMEXCIL when your product sits with PHARMEXCIL or AYUSHEXCIL.

• Name mismatch: The firm name on the PAN, IEC, and bank papers must match letter for letter.

• Old turnover certificate: A CA certificate from two years ago will not do.

• Wrong exporter category: Claiming manufacturer status without a factory licence or Udyam registration.

• Inactive IEC: IEC needs annual updating on the DGFT portal, even when nothing has changed.

• Unsigned uploads: Documents submitted without the authorised signatory's signature and stamp.

Why File for CHEMEXCIL Certificate Through Us?

We excel in helping exporters with both membership and registration in record time. Here’s why we are the best choice:

• Product-code check first: We confirm your HS codes against the council's product basket before you spend a rupee.

• Document preparation: We build your file, coordinate the CA turnover certificate, and fix mismatches early.

• End-to-end e-RCMC filing: We handle the DGFT submission, track it daily, and answer council queries on your behalf.

• Renewal reminders: We flag your 1 April subscription and IEC update every year.

• Clear, written quotes: Government and council charges are shown separately from our professional fee. 

CHEMEXCIL registration offers unmatched support to exporters. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• Global Opportunities: Members gain access to international markets and trade events.
• Financial Benefits: Subsidies and financial assistance lower the cost of promotion.
• Credibility Membership: boosts trust among buyers and partners.
• Regulatory Guidance: CHEMEXCIL helps members navigate complex trade rules.

Registration with CHEMEXCIL is useful to Indian exporters. It gives you all that you need to help you get established within the global markets. Members will get access to benefits, gain market recognition, and realise that exportation is not complicated at all. Additionally, CHEMEXCIL provides expert guidance and resources to streamline the export process, ensuring smoother transactions. With Agile Regulatory as a consultant, exporters can benefit from personalized guidance, navigate complex regulations, and optimize their strategies for success in the international marketplace. This partnership helps enhance growth opportunities globally.