About Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC)

Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) is an organization established under "The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India."  It is an authorized body that will regulate your handloom products if you wish to sell them in the international market. The primary objective of the council is not just to regulate your product but to promote exports and create international demand for them.

Upon registration as a registered textile exporter, the HEPC will support you by providing technical guidance and opportunities for trade promotion and international marketing.

Textile products which are regulated by the council are:

• FabricsBed, table, toilet, & kitchen linen
• Towels & Curtains
• Cushions and Pads
• Tapestries and upholstery 
• Carpets and floor coverings

What are the activities undertaken by the HEPC?

The HEPC undertakes all those activities that will benefit your business and ensure you have a strong position among global competitors in the international market. Some of the activities undertaken by the Handloom Export Promotion Council are listed below:  

• Conducting market studies in foreign countries to identify opportunities.
• Organising trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets in India and abroad
• Providing guidance, consultancy, and support to handloom exporters.
• Promoting the advantages of trading with India in handloom fabrics through campaigns in foreign countries.
• Organising trade missions in foreign countries.
• Providing insights and recommendations to government bodies on policy matters.
• Inquire and investigate complaints received from foreign buyers or Indian exporters and act as arbitrators (if required).
• Facilitate the adoption of technology, quality & design improvement, standards and specifications, product development, diversification and innovations, etc

Who can become the registered member of the Council?

If you are engaged in the manufacturing, processing, or exporting of handloom or its allied products or if you are a handloom weavers or artisans and you hold a valid Import Export Code (IEC) number, which is issued by the Office of the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), you will be eligible to become the registered textile exporter of the Handloom Export Promotion Council

The HEPC offers two types of registration based on your nature of business.

If you are the manufacturer of the handloom and its allied products and wish to sell in the international market, you will need to register as a manufacturer exporter. 

If you are a trader of handloom and its allied products and want to export to the international market, you will need to register as a merchant exporter.

What documents are required for registration?

To ensure a smooth registration process with the council, it is important to have all the necessary documents ready. Below is the list of documents required for registration as a registered textile exporter of the Handloom Export Promotion Council.

• Self-attested photocopy copy of the Import-Export Certificate (IEC).
• Self-attested photocopy copy of PAN card.
• In the case of a partnership firm, a photocopy of the entire Partnership Deed.
• Self-attested copy of Article of Association or Bye-laws
• In the case of a joint stock firm or a society, a resolution for applying as a registered textile exporter.
• Duly filled specimen signature form.
• In the case of the manufacturer exporter, a self-attested photocopy SSI/IEM/MSME 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:

Create your account with your IEC code, and your login credentials shall be used to log in to the DGFT portal.

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, nature of the business.

Select Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board and Fee Details.

Fill in the details of authorised representatives or contact persons for the councils and click on the “Add Details” button to save the details.

Under other information, select the countries to which you will be exporting and click on save & next

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.

Once the application form is completed, review your application form, make sure not to make any mistakes to avoid rejection, and give declaration for the submission of the form to the council.

After that click payment for RCMC, the applicant would be directed to the payment gateway for the payment, make the payment and then click on submit.

The committee shall review the application and may request for additional documents or evidence if necessary

The decision on the application shall be made within 3 months from the date of submission.

On approval of the application, you will receive an RCMC certificate from the Handloom Export Promotion Council.

What is the fee for registration?

This table outlines the enrollment fees for becoming a member of the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC). 

Benefits of registration with the council?

1. The benefits of registration as a registered textile exporter with the Handloom Export Promotion Council are as follows:
2. You will get the opportunity to participate in international textile, trade, and consumer events organized by the Government of India or by the Export Promotion Council.
3. You will get to participate in the buyer-seller meetings organized by the Export Promotion Council within India and abroad. This will help you gain exposure to global markets and opportunities for networking with potential buyers and importers. 
4. You will be eligible to import specified trimmings and decorations without paying import duty. However, the benefit shall be available up to 5% of the FOB value (free on board) of handloom and its allied products exported and realized during the preceding fiscal year. 
5. You will also be eligible to get a duty drawback for the excise, customs duty, and service tax paid on the raw materials that are used for the production of the goods meant for export. 
6. Under the raw material supply scheme, you can also apply for a 15% price subsidy on yarn, including cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, woollen, and linen yarn, and blended yarn made of natural fibres, which will be directly transferred to your bank account.
7. You will be eligible to apply for a refund of various central and state duties, taxes, and levies imposed on inputs used in the production of the exported products under the RoDTEP scheme of the Government of India.
8. You can also apply to get the benefits of the interest equalization scheme, which offers a 3% interest rate discount on pre- and post-shipment for 5 years on any handloom and its allied products.
9. If you are a first-time MSME exporter applying for RCMC, the fees paid for registration with HEPC, will also be eligible for reimbursement from the Ministry of MSME through HEPC. The reimbursement shall be 75% of the fee paid subject to a maximum of Rs.20,000/- or the actual fee paid, whichever is lower.

OTHER BENEFITS

• The Council also organizes training programs, awareness sessions, workshops, and seminars where you can enhance your knowledge and skills in various aspects including business management and export-related issues.
• Being a member of the council, it will keep you updated through regular news bulletin, newsletter & e-magazines on textile-related news and events. Its newsletter serves as an information bank for the industry, while the E-magazine targets overseas buyers with production insights & marketing events. 
• The HEPC also represents trade issues with relevant ministries and embassies, advocating for the interests of its members and addressing concerns related to trade barriers, regulations, and policies.

Renewal of Registration cum membership certificate

you need to apply for renewal of registration certificate every year.

When can the council terminate the registration?

The council has the power to cease your registration as a registered textile exporter (RTE) under the following circumstances:

If you no longer hold a valid import export Code (IEC) number for any reason.

If you fail to pay any amounts owed to the Central or State Government.

If you are convicted by a court for an offence involving misconduct or moral turpitude, resulting in a prison sentence of at least six months.

In case of death or adjudication as insolvent.

In case of dissolution or adjudication as insolvent of your partnership firm.

If you are found to be of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction.

In case of winding up of a society, company, or corporation.

If you or your affiliated firm accepts or holds an office of profit under the council without proper sanction.

Upon failure to pay the annual subscription or any other dues to the council, despite final notice.

If it is found that you are acting against the interests of the council, its members, or national interests, or has violated regulations, bye-laws, rules, or arbitration decisions.

Upon acceptance of your resignation by the committee.