Export Commodity Boards Approve RCMC Certificate

India is the highest production country for species, tea, and other major items. The quality and low price of these items catch the worldwide attention and make India the biggest export country. On the other hand, to promote and develop such demanding products, the Indian government established a specific organization. This board’s major role is to focus on product development and promotion. Meanwhile, to promote specific goods in the international market, required to obtain the certificate of RCMC. That’s where the Commodity Board plays a crucial role. As EPCs, the role of Commodity boards is to develop and promote Indian specific products. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how Commodity boards approve the RCMC certificate for export, its significance, and the registration procedure. 

Who are the Commodity Boards?

The commodity boards serve as the legally authorized body by the Indian government. These boards are established by government acts giving them a specific legal framework and authority. The major aim is to establish it and promote the Indian export business in global markets. In 2025, there are a total of five commodity boards categorized. These autonomous bodies operate under the Department of Commerce. It further issues the RCMC certificate to their assigned commodities. By getting the export certificate from authorized authorities, exporters can avail themselves of various benefits under FTP. 

The function of these commodity boards is:

1. Promote Indian Export Business: The commodity boards are responsible for promoting Indian exports in international markets.
2. Focus on Market Development: By conducting the research and development sessions. It promotes brands and supports their valuable addition by introducing them on the global stage.
3. Support Financial: The commodity boards provide valuable assistance as well as financial support to exporters. The technical assistance usually includes training and strives to ensure prices for farmers. 
4. Improve Product Quality: To enhance the quality, they conduct research and focus on accurate developments.
5. Facilitate Trade: Issuing the RCMC certificate and ensuring trade compliance allows exporters to participate in international trade fairs.  They facilitate the linking of producers with markets. 

Types of Commodity Boards: RCMC Certificate Issuing Authority

Under the provisions of the Department of Commerce, five commodity boards are categorized. By serving as the issuing authority, it grants the export registration certificate to exporters who want to avail themselves of government benefits. These authorized authorities are responsible for the development, promotion, and export of listed items. Here is the list of all commodity boards:

1. Tea Board of India

On 1st April, 1954, the ‘Tea Board’ was established as the statutory body. This board is responsible for the productivity of tea in India. It focuses on tea production and improves its robust quality. Apart from production, productivity, and successive quality improvement, it also serves as the licensing issuing authority. For issuing the certificate, it works as follows:

• It ensures that the tea exporters registering must adhere to specific quality, packing, and labeling standards. 
• It issues the RCMC license to tea exporters, which serves as the membership authorization proof.
• It serves as the intermediary between the government and exporters. 
• “Tea Board of India” facilitates access to exporters for government schemes, incentives, and subsidies. 
• Apart from issuing RCMC, it assists tea exporters with market intelligence. 

2. Coffee Board of India

Under Section (4) of the Coffee Act, 1942, “Coffee Board of India” was added as a statutory authority. This board is active in those Indian areas where coffee productivity is high. In these areas, it conducts research, extension, development, and many more. Apart from these functions, it acts as the licensing issuing authority for coffee and coffee-based product exporters. The key aspects are:

• The exporters who want to access government benefits and deals with coffee and its sub-products must register with ‘the Coffee Board”. 
• Upon successful registration, it issues the Commodity Board membership RCMC certificate to exporters.
• Through the membership, it allows the exporters to utilize the incentives such as duty drawbacks, RoDTEP, etc. 
• It ensures that exporters must maintain international trade compliance to meet the coffee quality standards. 
• Through the global trade fairs, brand building, and market networking, the Coffee Board promotes Indian coffee exports.
• It manages the coffee exporters’ data, which is crucial for determining the coffee export policies. 

3. The Rubber Board 

This board was established under the Rubber Act, 1947. This statutory organization was developed for the promotion, regulation, and development of the natural rubber Industry in India. The Indian Central Government selected the chairman who monitors this board. The key aspects of ‘Rubber Board’ are:

• It is the RCMC certificate authority. The exporters who deal with rubber- and rubber-based products register with the “Rubber Board”.
• The authority grants the certificate to eligible rubber exporters.
• An export membership allows businesses to utilize the benefits related to rubber and its sub-products.
• It ensures that businesses comply with national and international trade compliance by focusing on product quality and safety benchmarks.
• Facilitates trade opportunities for exporters where buyers meet sellers.
• Through the RCMC registration, collect rubber export data. 

4. The Tobacco Board

This board was established under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975. On 1st January 1976, the ‘Tobacco Board’ was accepted as the statutory body. Furthermore, the headquarters of this board is located in Guntur  (Andhra Pradesh). Majorly active in the production and promotion management of tobacco and its sub-products. For the tobacco exporters, it acts as the export promotion council. Its key functions are:

• Exporters who deal with tobacco and its allied products register with the ‘Tobacco Board’. 
• It is the license authority that issues the certificate of RCMC, which allows the exporter to join as a member. 
• RCMC membership holders can avail themselves of the government-supported benefits, incentives, and schemes. 
• It ensures that businesses that monitor tobacco leaves and their products meet safety and quality standards. It is mandatory for international trade compliance management.
• RCMC registration allows organizations to collect export data, which helps the government maintain export policy. 

5. The Spices Board

Under Section 3 of the Spices Board, 1986, the Spices Board was established as the statutory body. The board has been developed by merging the “Cardamom Board” and “Spices Export Promotion Council”. Meanwhile, its headquarters are located in Kochi, Kerala. The major role of the Spices Board is:

• Ensures the registration of exporters who manage the Spices and their sub-products. 
• It serves as the authority for exporters, issuing the RCMC certificate to eligible exporters for global trade.
• By providing a membership certificate, it enables exporters to claim incentives and government-supported benefits.
• From production to export, every step is monitored by this body. It ensures accurate quality, testing, and packing standards of spices. 

Sum Up | Apply for Commodity Board Registration to Obtain RCMC Certificate

In collaboration with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the commodity board focuses on five major business lines. This issuing authority develops and promotes Indian tea, coffee, natural rubber, spices, and tobacco. By issuing the RCMC certificate to exporters, it entitles them to access government benefits, schemes, participate in international trade fairs, etc. Still facing difficulty choosing the right commodity for your business line? Seek a consultant from LegalRaasta professionals. We provide end-to-end service. 

FAQs | Export Registration Certificate for International Trade

1. What is the RCMC Certificate for export?

Ans. Registration-cum-Membership Certificate is the most beneficial certificate for exporters who want to grow their business with government support. While the certificate is issued by the relevant EPCs, the commodity board, and the development authority.

2. What is the primary role of the Export Promotion Board?

Ans. The export promotion board is responsible for offering valuable support to Indian exporters. Furthermore, provides assistance, financial support, and ensures trade compliance with international regulations. 

3. How is the Commodity Board different from the Export Promotion Council (EPC)?

Ans. The most recognized difference is that the commodity boards are responsible for promoting Indian traditional and raw items such as spices, tea, etc. Meanwhile, EPC focuses on non-traditional items such as jewelry, gems, etc.

4. Which authority is responsible for the registration of multiple products?

Ans. The exporters who generally export multiple products and their items do not fall in the list of EPCs registered with FIEO. Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) is the RCMC certificate issuing authority.

5. Which document is required before filing a shipping bill?

Ans. DGFT is responsible for issuing the PAN-based Business Identification Number (BIN). It is required to file the shipping bills for customs clearance.