Marine Products Export Development Authority

In 1972, Government of India (GoI) introduced Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to diversify aquaculture, promote marine product industry for exports, regulate exports of marine products, ensure sustainable and quality in the production of seafood. MPEDA acts as a nodal agency to develop, expand and improve the quality of the seafood industry by collaborating with other governments and meeting the requirement of the seafood across the globe.

Overview

The marine industry in India plays a major role in creating a huge demand in international trade, generating employment opportunities and valuable foreign exchange earnings. The export products are distributed by top countries such as Japan, United States of America, European Union and South-West Asia.

MPEDA was set up under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act 1972 (No.13 of 1972) by GoI. Though the initial stages recorded a slow growth, it expanded drastically expanded in several phases after 1985 which directly resulted in boosting the economic growth, increased trade in seafood products, socio-cultural and technological developments and economic developments for a sustainable livelihood.

The increased export of seafood through international trade created a drastic change in Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) to regulate and implement as per the changes to the global trade environment, revised trade agreements of World Trade Organisation (WHO) and Non-agricultural market access (NAMA).

The revised trade agreements led MPEDA to develop new bilateral and regional negotiations that formed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), Fisheries Partnership Agreements (FPA), tariff measures, non-tariff measures, subsidies and eco-labelling. MPEDA also provides financial assistance to all stakeholders in fishery sectors through the online portal to increase infrastructure and export production.

Missions of MPEDA

• To coordinate with all stakeholders across the globe to increase the value chain of seafood export
• To implement regulations that would provide increased trade performance, subsidy measures and improve eco-labels on trade

Objectives of MPEDA

• Promote marine products industry to increase the export production in the international market as per FTP
• To promote all varieties of marine products for export
• Create a platform to notify the new measures and standards for fishing vessels, storage units, processing plants and conveyances
• Increase the economic stability for all stakeholders and create a sustainable livelihood
• Provide certificates for exporters, farmers and fishermen to help avail benefits, identify illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
• Increase marketing and infrastructure to upgrade technology and develop marketing strategies
• Improve the quality of production by implementing training and research centres
• To implement schemes to provide support for industries and stakeholders
• To implement code of conduct for responsible fishing to create employment opportunities, recreation, global trade and increasing economic standards

Key functions of MPEDA

• Promoting Indian marine products in international markets
• Collaborating with WTO for better trade relations
• Developing infrastructure and technology for preserving and modernising the quality by implementing schemes
• Increase the productivity of fishing by deep-sea fishing projects, joint ventures and upgradation of machinery
• Carries out inspection of marine products, raw materials to implement regulations and specifications to maintain the quality of seafood for international markets
• Provide training through research centres for aquaculture farmers to improve the quality of export production
• Provides services to protect and increase the reproductive rate of important species in aquatic life

Services by MPEDA

MPEDA provides services such as certification, training and disputes settlement in the international market. Certification from MPEDA are provided to the following members:

Exporters

Farmers and

Fisherman

MPEDA also provides eSANCHITH certificate for international trade. Fee details of eSANCHITH certificates are as follows:

Category of Permitted Marine Products by MPEDA

Category of permitted Fishing vessels and Processing Entities by MPEDA

Application Forms for Registration by MPEDA

Forms for Issuing Certificate of Registration by MPEDA

Registration Process

The registration process for exporters, manufacturers, fishing vessels, merchant explorer, ornamental fish explorer and processing entities of MPEDA functions under the Section 9(2) (b) and (h) of the MPEDA Act 1972. All stakeholders engaged in exporting seafood should register with MPEDA.

Manual Process for Registration

Step 1: Check for required documents as per the requirement of MPEDA

Step 2: Complete the application form along with annexure 1, 2 and 3

Step 3: The application form along with the application fee has to be sent through MO/DO/PO to the Secretary or the officer authorised to accept the forms.

Step 4: The applicant shall receive the letter of confirmation through mail or Implementing Agency

Online Process for Registration

Step 1: The applicant shall log into MPEDA online registration website, http://e-mpeda.nic.in/registration/Reg_login.aspx

Step 2: Select the New User option to register with MPDEA.

Step 3: Fill the boxes with valid credentials

Step 4: After saving the application, an automated email with a link will be sent to the email address for creating a new user name and password

Step 5: After creating a user name and password, sign in to the MPEDA website

Step 6: Provide all the necessary documents

Step 7: After the documents are validated, the certificate will be sent to the email address

Validity of the Certificate

The certificate provided from the D/O of MPEDA is valid for 5 years.

Renewal of Registration

The applicant shall follow the same process for re-registration two months before the expiry date.

Documents Required for Registration

• Proof of documents related to the registered company or firm
• Documents of directors, partners and partnership agreement
• Projects undertaken
• Original registration certificate
• Total investment for the company and title deed
• Details of the applicant such as Driver License, PAN card, Aadhar card
• Details of foreign trade agreements (if any)
• All certificates form corporation and emission offices
• EIA Code for the registered plant
• SSI Registration number
• Copy of the Certificate of the Importer Code (IEC) issued DGFT
• Detailed Project Report (DPR)
• Plant Layout
• Three years’ Balance Sheet authorised by CA

Fee Details of MPEDA