To register with APEDA, exporters pay a flat government fee of ₹5,000 plus 18% GST, totalling ₹5,900. The registration provides an RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) with a five-year validity period. The fee does not vary by business size or turnover, and the application is completed online through the APEDA portal. With a valid IEC and complete documents, the RCMC is generally issued within about seven working days.
APEDA does not have separate fee slabs for MSMEs or large exporters, so business size does not affect the government fee. Since the RCMC is valid for five years rather than indefinitely, exporters must account for the applicable renewal fee when the registration expires.
Key Takeaways
- The costs for APEDA registration ₹5,900, comprising a ₹5,000 government fee plus 18% GST.
- APEDA does not charge different registration fees based on business size or turnover.
- The APEDA RCMC is valid for five years and requires renewal after expiry.
- Renewal requires payment of the applicable prescribed fee to continue the registration.
- Exporters of APEDA-scheduled products generally need an RCMC to undertake covered export activities.
- The registration process is completed online through the APEDA portal with a valid IEC and required documents.
APEDA Registration Fees Breakdown
APEDA follows a flat fee structure for registration. The government fee does not vary based on the applicant’s business size, turnover, or enterprise category.
| Fee Type | Government Fee | Remarks |
| APEDA registration | ₹5,000 + 18% GST | ₹5,900 total; applicable to eligible exporters |
| APEDA RCMC renewal | ₹5,000 + 18% GST | ₹5,900 total; payable after the five-year validity period |
Any professional or consultancy charges are separate from the government fee.
APEDA Renewal Fees
APEDA RCMC renewal costs ₹5,000 plus 18% GST, totalling ₹5,900. The renewal fee remains the same for eligible exporters and does not increase based on business size, turnover, or exporter category.
The renewal fee applies after the RCMC’s five-year validity period. Any professional or consultancy charges for handling the renewal are separate from the government fee and depend on the service provider.
Hidden APEDA Costs to Watch Out For
The ₹5,900 APEDA government fee may not represent your total registration cost. Depending on your existing registrations and how you apply, you may also incur:
- IEC: A valid Importer Exporter Code is required before APEDA registration. If you do not have one, the DGFT charges a separate application fee.
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): If a DSC is required for your application and the authorised person does not already have one, you will need to purchase it separately.
- Professional fees: Consultants or agencies may charge additional fees for application filing, documentation, and support. These charges vary by provider.
- Bank documentation charges: Your bank may charge a fee for issuing or certifying documents required for the APEDA application.
- Existing registrations: Depending on your business structure and activities, you may need registrations such as GST or entity registration before applying for APEDA.
- Renewal: The RCMC has a five-year validity period, so you should account for the applicable renewal fee after expiry.
- Product-specific compliance: Certain export products may require additional certifications, testing, or permits. These costs are separate from the APEDA registration fee.
