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Published on: Jun 24, 2026

How to Register with Export Promotion Council

Export promotion councils (EPC) are advisory bodies that actively contribute to the policies of the Government of India and acts as an interface between the industry and the Government. EPC conduct a large number of promotional activities such as buyer-seller meets, trade fairs/exhibitions and information booths to promote Indian exports and provide overseas buyers with a mechanism to easily reach Indian exporters. In this article, we look at the procedure for registering with an Export Promotion Council.

Different Export Promotion Councils in India

There are various types of EPC, with each export promotion council - supporting a distinct industry or sector. The different EPC in India are:

  • Engineering Export Promotion Council
  • Project Exports Promotion Council of India
  • Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council
  • Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council
  • Council for Leather Exports
  • Sports Goods Export Promotion Council
  • Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council
  • Shellac & Forest ProductsExport Promotion Council
  • Cashew Export Promotion Council
  • Plastic Export Promotion Council
  • Export Promotion Council for EOU & SEZ Units
  • Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council
  • Apparel Export Promotion Council
  • Carpet Export Promotion Council
  • Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council
  • Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
  • Handloom Export Promotion Council
  • Indian Silk Export Promotion Council
  • Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council
  • Synthetic & Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council
  • Wool & Woolens Export Promotion Council

Reasons to Register with the Export Promotion Council

Registration with an EPC is a must for availing various export-import benefits or concessions under Foreign Trade Policy. Further, by being registered with the appropriate Export Promotion Council, the business will also have an opportunity to participate in fairs and meet prospective foreign buyers.

Registration cum Membership Certificate

An exporter can be registered with the EPC by making an application to become a member of the appropriate EPC. On being accepted, the exporter will be issued a registration cum membership certificate which would be valid for a period of five years.

Most EPC has two membership categories, associate member and ordinary member. Registration can be obtained by submitting the following documents:

  • The digital signature certificate would be required to apply for export promotion council membership.
  • Copy of Import-Export Code certificate.
  • A certificate from a Chartered Accountant, certifying the export turnover figure (FOB value in Rupees) during the year before the preceding year.
  • List of Partners/Directors with residential address.
  • MSME registration certificate, if available.
  • Membership fee.

Membership Fee

The membership fee for joining EPC varies from council to council. However, the following table gives a good understanding of the membership fee structure:

  • Between Rs.0 to Rs.30 Lakhs - Rs.5000
  • Rs.30 lakhs to Rs.60 lakhs - Rs.8000
  • Rs.60 lakhs to Rs.1 crore - Rs.13000
  • Rs.1 crore to Rs.5 crore - Rs.21000
  • Rs.5 crore to Rs.10 crore - Rs.23000
  • Rs. 10 crore to Rs.25 crore - Rs.25000
  • Rs. 25 crore to Rs.50 crore - Rs.30000
  • Rs. 50 crore to Rs.100 crore - Rs.35000
  • Above Rs.100 crore - Rs.45000
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Register with Export Promotion Council in India.

Registering with an EPC is mandatory for availing various export-import benefits or concessions under the Foreign Trade Policy. Additionally, being a member of an EPC allows exporters to participate in trade fairs and meet prospective foreign buyers, which can help expand their business.
There are various Export Promotion Councils in India, each supporting a distinct industry or sector. The article mentions around 20 different EPCs, such as the Engineering Export Promotion Council, Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Apparel Export Promotion Council, and many others.
Most Export Promotion Councils have two membership categories: associate member and ordinary member. The specific benefits and eligibility criteria for each category may vary across different EPCs.
To register with an EPC, exporters typically need to submit a digital signature certificate, a copy of their Import-Export Code certificate, a certificate from a Chartered Accountant certifying their export turnover, a list of partners/directors with residential addresses, an MSME registration certificate (if applicable), and the membership fee.
The registration cum membership certificate issued by an Export Promotion Council is valid for a period of five years.
The membership fee for Export Promotion Councils is typically based on the exporter's annual export turnover. The article provides a table with fee ranges, starting from Rs. 5,000 for an export turnover between Rs. 0 to Rs. 30 lakhs and going up to Rs. 45,000 for an export turnover above Rs. 100 crores.
Yes, an exporter can be a member of multiple Export Promotion Councils if their products or services fall under the purview of different EPCs. However, they will need to register and pay the membership fee separately for each council.
The article does not explicitly mention the benefits of being an ordinary member versus an associate member. However, it is likely that ordinary members may have access to additional services or privileges compared to associate members, depending on the specific EPC's policies.
The article states that Export Promotion Councils conduct a large number of promotional activities, such as buyer-seller meets, trade fairs/exhibitions, and information booths, to promote Indian exports and facilitate connections between Indian exporters and overseas buyers. However, the frequency of these activities is not specified.
According to the article, Export Promotion Councils act as advisory bodies and actively contribute to the policies of the Government of India related to their respective industries or sectors. They serve as an interface between the industry and the government, providing insights and recommendations to shape relevant policies.