About Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZ

Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs (EPCES) has been set up by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to service the export promotional needs of EOUs & SEZs in the country. EPCES is the issuing authority of registration-cum-membership certificates to SEZs & EOUs for availing exemptions, drawbacks, and concessions under the SEZ & EOU scheme.

EPCES also raises and addresses the issues of EOUs & SEZs that oppose the seamless growth of the EOUs, SEZ units & SEZ Developers. It organizes awareness programs across various parts of the world and actively promotes the EOUs & SEZ sector in India and abroad.

The objectives of the Export Promotion Council for EOUs/SEZ are:

• To promote exports from India and to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
• To facilitate interaction between the EOUs/SEZs community and Government both at the Central and State level.
• To provide benefits of the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme rendered by the Central Government to Indian Exporters to support their export market development efforts.
• To collaborate with other export promotion councils/ export promotion organizations in India and abroad.

What are the activities undertaken by the EPCES?

The EPCES undertakes activities for the development and promotion of exports in India, the activities of EPCES are as follows:

• Providing financial assistance to EOUs/SEZ units through Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for export promotion activities abroad.
• Participating in trade fairs/exhibitions in India & abroad.
• Arranging Trade Delegations abroad for Export Promotion.
• Organizing buyer-seller meet with EOUs & SEZs for the promotion of exports.
• Authorized to issue Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin throughout India as per DGFT
• Informing members about the latest developments and changes in the national and international trade scenario.
• Bringing out publications for use within India and abroad.
• Organizing Open Houses/ Seminars/Workshops in different states of the country to resolve the problems of EOUs & SEZs and give suggestions for policy-making by the Government.
• Taking up issues affecting EOUs/SEZs with various Ministries like Commerce, Finance, CBEC, GST Council, CBDT, RBI, State Governments, etc.
• Conducting studies on various subjects viz. GST, Services Sector, OBU, EOU, and SEZs etc.

Who can become the registered member of the Council?

Any units/developers having a Letter of Approval by the office of the concerned Development Commissioner/Board of Approval (BOA) to set up an EOU, SEZ unit, or SEZ Developer shall become eligible to become a member of EPCES.

EPCES membership for all the EOUs & SEZ units, Developers, and Co-Developers under the EOUs & SEZ Scheme is mandatory.

The three categories of EPCES members are as follows:

• Export-Oriented Units (EOUs): EOUs are registered units that are permitted to export the entire production of goods and services, except permissible sales in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA)
• Special Economic Zone Units (SEZ units): SEZ units are units located in duty-free regions and such regions shall be deemed to be foreign territory for trade operations, duties, and tariffs.
• Special Economic Zone Developers (SEZ)& Co-Developers: SEZ Developers are persons who, have been granted a LOA for setting up of SEZ, and Co-Developer are entities co-operated by the developer for setting up infrastructural facilities in the approved SEZ.

What are the documents required for registration?

1. copy of the Letter of Approval (LOA) or Letter of Permission (LOP) issued by Development commissioner 
   
2. copy of the Board of Approval (BOA)
3. copy of your GST registration
4. Proof of your export turnover, such as an Annual performance report or self-certified letter
5. CA certificate

What is the registration process?

A Notice has been issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stating that application for a registration cum membership certificate (RCMC) or a registration certificate (RC) must be filed electronically through their common digital platform. 

The procedure for registration is as follows:

1. Create your account with your IEC code, and your login credentials shall be used to log in to the DGFT portal.
2. After logging in, go to the e-RCMC registration section in the portal, and fill out an application form with information such as your company name, address, IEC number, PAN number, date of incorporation, and nature of the business.
3. Select Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board and Fee Details.
4. Fill in the details of authorised representatives or contact persons for the councils and click on the “Add Details” button to save the details.
5. Under other information, select the countries to which you will be exporting and click on save & next
6. You will be required to provide supporting documents, such as a PAN card, IEC certificate, incorporation certificate, and so on (see Documents required). Attach all the documents required in the attachment section.
7. Once the application form is completed, review your application form, make sure not to make any mistakes to avoid rejection, and give a declaration for the submission of the form to the council.
8. After that click payment for RCMC, the applicant will be directed to the payment gateway for the payment, make the payment and then click on submit.
9. The committee shall review the application and may request additional documents or evidence if necessary
10. The decision on the application shall be made within 3 months from the date of submission.
11. On approval of the application, you will receive an RCMC certificate from the Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs.

What is the fee for registration?

This table outlines the enrollment fees for becoming a member of the Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs.

Benefits of registration with the council?

Promote Exports: Member gets to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad to promote exports and build a strong image of Indian products overseas. In this regard, EPCES also provides financial assistance in the form of a Market Access Initiative (MAI).

Buyer-Seller meet: The Council organizes one-to-one meetings with foreign buyers and members to get immediate export orders and also organizes seminars abroad to attract foreign investments in the SEZ sector.

Open House: EPCES organizes Open Houses of EOUs, SEZ Units, and SEZ Developers with ministry officials of central & state governments in different parts of the country to resolve the issues/problems of the EOU/SEZ Sector and to take suggestions from its members on the formulation of Foreign Trade Policy, SEZ Act and SEZ Rules.

Seminars: EPCES conducts seminars in different countries around the world, to bring foreign investments in SEZ Scheme in India. Such seminars provide an excellent opportunity for our delegates and SEZ developers to interact with businessmen and investors around the world.

Interactive meetings: EPCES organizes interactive meetings with Foreign Ambassadors in India and Foreign High-power delegations in India to keep its members informed about the potential international markets and their benefits.

EPCES Export Awards: EPCES presents awards to the best EOUs and SEZ Units for their outstanding export performance every year. This encourages EOUs and SEZ Units to increase their efforts for promoting exports from the country.

Technology & Upgradation: EPCES organizes awareness and capacity-building programs on technology upgrades, clean technology adoption, modern marketing strategies, and innovative financing.