What is APEDA?
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is an organization established by the Government of India in 1985 under the APEDA Act. It is responsible for promoting and developing the export of scheduled agricultural and processed food products. Its primary role includes providing financial assistance, information, and guidelines to exporters for boosting exports.
APEDA Registration: Who Needs It?
APEDA registration is mandatory for:
- Exporters: Individuals or companies exporting agricultural and processed food products listed in the APEDA schedule.
- Scheduled Products: Products like fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy, confectionery, cereals, and processed foods are covered under APEDA's purview. A complete list is available on the APEDA website.
Categories of Products Covered under APEDA:
Some of the products that fall under APEDA include:
- Fruits, vegetables, and their products
- Meat and poultry products
- Dairy products
- Honey, jaggery, and sugar products
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Confectionery, biscuits, and bakery products
- Cereals and cereal products
- Floriculture and seeds
- Groundnuts, peanuts, and walnuts
- Pickles, papads, and chutneys
Benefits of APEDA Registration:
Registering with APEDA opens up several benefits to exporters:
a. Financial Assistance APEDA provides subsidies and financial aid for:
- Packaging development
- Product marketing and promotion
- Market survey and research
- Participation in international trade fairs
- Enhancing infrastructure like cold storage, laboratories, and technology adoption
b. Export Opportunities and Global Market Access APEDA helps registered exporters with international exposure, opening new markets, and guiding them through regulatory compliances in various countries. This is facilitated through:
- Providing support in meeting the standards of importing countries.
- Creating a marketplace for Indian agricultural products globally.
c. Training and Development Programs APEDA organizes workshops, training, and seminars for registered exporters on improving the quality of their products, marketing techniques, packaging requirements, and other important aspects of international trade.
d. Certification and Branding APEDA assists in certification processes like organic certification, and geographical indication (GI) tagging, which are essential for certain products in international markets. They also help with branding initiatives to enhance the reputation of Indian agricultural products.
e. Access to Latest Market Intelligence APEDA provides exporters with market intelligence reports, trends, and potential export opportunities to help them make informed decisions.
5. Detailed Documents Required for APEDA Registration:
- Application Form: This is available on the APEDA website and needs to be filled in with accurate details.
- Import-Export Code (IEC): This code is mandatory for anyone involved in import/export. The IEC is issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Bank Certificate: A certificate from your bank to confirm the existence of a current account under the applicant's name.
- PAN Card: A scanned copy of the applicant's PAN card (for individual/proprietor or company, as applicable).
- Business Address Proof: Documents that verify the address of the business establishment (like lease/rent agreement or ownership deed).
- Cancelled Cheque: A cancelled cheque of the applicant's bank account for confirmation of bank details.
- Fee Payment: A non-refundable registration fee of INR 5,000 + GST needs to be paid during the registration process.
6. Online Registration Process:
- Visit APEDA Website: Go to the APEDA website http://apeda.gov.in and navigate to the registration section.
- Create an Account: Sign up by providing your name, company details, email ID, and mobile number.
- Fill the Application Form: Enter the required information in the registration form.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of the necessary documents like the IEC code, bank certificate, PAN card, address proof, and cancelled cheque.
- Payment of Fees: Make the required registration fee payment via online methods available on the portal (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, etc.).
- Submission: Submit the filled form and await verification from APEDA officials.
Post-Registration Formalities:
Once your registration is approved, APEDA issues a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), which is valid for five years. With the RCMC, you are recognized as a registered exporter under APEDA.
Usage of RCMC:
- Exports: The RCMC is mandatory for exporting products that are part of the APEDA schedule.
- Claiming Benefits: This certificate makes exporters eligible to claim financial assistance, incentives, and subsidies under various schemes.
- Trade Fair Participation: Registered exporters can participate in international fairs and trade delegations facilitated by APEDA.
Validity and Renewal of APEDA Registration
- The registration is valid for five years.
- Renewal can be done through the APEDA portal, where updated documents and registration fees must be submitted before the expiry date.
Export Compliance Under APEDA
APEDA also assists exporters in meeting the quality and safety standards of various international markets. The organization issues export promotion guidelines and quality manuals to help maintain international competitiveness.
Common Export Compliances
- Labelling Requirements: Meeting the packaging and labelling requirements of the importing country.
- Quality Certification: APEDA offers assistance in obtaining certification for organic, non-GMO, or other specific product standards.
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards: Ensuring agricultural products meet international health and safety standards.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to register with APEDA for scheduled product exports or violating export compliance rules may result in penalties, including restrictions on exporting until registration is completed.
APEDA registration is essential for anyone aiming to export agricultural or processed food products from India. It provides exporters with several benefits, such as financial aid, training, and access to international markets, along with necessary certifications and compliance guidelines. The process is fairly straightforward and can be completed online with the right documentation.
Supreme FinTax offers comprehensive services for APEDA registration, assisting exporters in completing the necessary formalities and compliance to ensure smooth export operations. Here are the specific services provided by SFT for APEDA registration:
1. Consultation and Eligibility Assessment
- SFT provides a detailed consultation to assess whether a business or individual is eligible for APEDA registration based on their product type and business structure.
- Guidance on the required documentation and preparation needed for a successful registration.
2. Preparation and Submission of Documents
- ssistance with the collection and preparation of necessary documents like the Import-Export Code (IEC), PAN, bank certificate, address proof, etc.
- nsures all documents meet the requirements set by APEDA to avoid delays or rejections.
3. Online Application Filing
- SFT handles the complete process of filling out and submitting the APEDA registration form online, ensuring accuracy and compliance with APEDA guidelines.
- Helps in making the payment of the registration fee and uploading documents to the APEDA portal.
4. Follow-up with APEDA
- Regular follow-up on the application status with APEDA officials to ensure timely processing of the registration.
- Addresses any queries or additional document requests from APEDA during the verification process.
5. Obtaining Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)
- Ensures the applicant receives their Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from APEDA after successful registration.
- Assistance with post-registration formalities and maintaining compliance with APEDA regulations.
6. Advisory on Export Compliance
- Provides advisory services on export compliance, including labelling, quality standards, and packaging required for exporting agricultural and processed products under APEDA.
- Assistance with meeting the sanitary, phytosanitary, and certification requirements for exporting to different international markets.
7. Post-Registration Support
- Offers support for renewal of the APEDA registration and maintaining compliance with export laws and regulations.
- Helps in availing financial assistance and export promotion schemes available to APEDA-registered exporters.
These services are designed to simplify the APEDA registration process for exporters and ensure that all legal and procedural requirements are met efficiently.