I-FAQ FOR MEMBERSHIP

(These FAQs are of general nature and are illustrative only. However, any specific queries are to be dealt as per guideline/terms of the EPCH.)

Q1. What is Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH)?
Ans EPCH was established under Companies Act in the year 1986-87 as a non-profit organisation, with an object to promote, support, protect, maintain and increase the export of handicrafts.

Q2. How to obtain membership of the Council?
Ans. Any person, H.U.F, firm or association of person, joint stock company or other corporation or co-operative society who shall be engaged in the business of export of Handicrafts can become a member. The prospective members are required to apply on prescribed application form which can be obtained by paying Rs. 100/- in cash/RTGS(details given below)/demand draft drawn in favour of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts payable at New Delhi. The entrance fee in the year of Enrollment is Rs. 2500/- and Annual memberships fee is Rs. 5000/-(total Rs.7500+18% GST= Rs.8850/-)..

Membership of the Council is a pre-condition for obtaining (RCMC) Registration-cum- Membership-certificate under Foreign Trade Policy. The RCMC can be obtained either as a ‘Merchant Exporter’, ‘Manufacturer Exporter’ or ‘Merchant-cum-Manufacturer Exporters’ as per documents submitted.
Annual Subscription amount is Rs. 5000/-+ 18% GST = (total Rs.5900/-)..

Q3. What is the mandatory document for EPCH's Membership/Registration?
Ans. Importer Exporter Code issued by DGFT office is the mandatory document for issuing Registration certificate under Foreign Trade Policy.

Q4. Is there any option to apply for Membership through online as well as offline?
Ans. Yes. There are options to apply online which is available through EPCH web portal www.epch.in Apply for Membership-How to apply. Also you can get application form on payment Rs.100/- from EPCH New delhi as well as from all regional offices.

Q5. What are the services being provided to its members by the Council?
Ans. The services of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts to its members are as follows:

• Providing commercially useful information and assistance to members in developing and increasing exports.
• Offering professional advice and services to members in areas of technology up gradation, quality and design improvement, standards and specifications, product development, innovation etc.
• Organizing visits of delegation of its members abroad to explore overseas market opportunities.
• Participating in specialized International Trade Fairs of handicrafts & gifts. 
• Organizing Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair in India. 
• Interaction between exporting community and Govt. both at the Central and State level and represents in almost all the committees / panels of Central and State.
• To create an environment of awareness through Workshops on "Export Marketing, Procedures and Documentation", Packaging, Design Development, Buyer Seller Meet, Open House etc. interaction with Central and State Govt. and various other similar programmes.
• The activities of the EPCH, notification of Govt. orders, information on Trade Fairs and other relevant information is disseminated through its journal CRAFTCIL.
• Also can get financial benefit by participating in Council’s led activities i.e; International fairs/Exhibitions, BSMS etc;  under Market Development Assistance(MDA) as well as Market Access Initiative Scheme.
• Duty free Import Certification, subject to application in the prescribed format with the requisite documents as given at  http://www.epch.in/policies/DFIC-Procedure.pdf
• Duty draw back & other benefits/incentives announced in Foreign Trade Policies from time to time for the handicraft sector. http://www.epch.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=169
• Certification of Handicrafts items, subject to application in the prescribed format with the requisite documents as given at  http://www.epch.in/policies/Application&requirement.pdf
• CITES approved Vriksh Certificate www.vrikshindia.in
• Visa recommendation letter, subject to required documents.

Q6. How much time does it take to become the registered member of the Council?
Ans. After receiving the application with supporting documents, membership and Registration-cum-Membership certificate will be issued within 30 days maximum.

Q7. Are, there any other offices of EPCH?
Ans. Yes, EPCH is having its Regional offices/Representative offices at Moradabad, Kolkata Bangalore, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Gurwahati, Narsapur, Saharanpur, Common Facility Centre at Saharanpur and extension counter at Agra.

Q8. Can we apply online for Membership??
Ans. Yes, You can apply online Membership through EPCH website www.epch.in Member Section-Membership/Registration(One time process & can make online payment also).

Q9. Can we get Membership Certificate & RCMC certificate online?
Ans. No, Membership/Registration Certificate will be dispatched by Registered Post.

Q10.  From where the application forms can be obtained?
Ans. From Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts main office at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, membership application forms can also be obtained by post by paying Rs 100/- by way of demand draft/Pay order in favour of “Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts” payable at New Delhi. Apart from EPCH’s main office at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, the forms can also be obtained from EPCH’s offices given below:-

Q11. Is export performance is required for becoming member of the Council?
An. Exporters having nil export performance in handicrafts can also enroll as member of the Council.            

Q12. Whether membership fee is for one time?
Ans. Please noteEntrance fees is to be paid one time and Membership fees to be paid every year which will be due on 1st April every year and to be paid by 30th June.

Q13. Can in house publication be subscribed?
Ans: . Yes. To obtain in house journal i.e. CRAFTCIL to know about general nature of handicraft sector, interested person can subscribe on payment of Rs.1000/- + 18% GST (April-March) by Demand Draft or by RTGS in favour of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, New Delhi along with the complete address and contact details. Please note such subscriber cannot participate in Council's activities.

Q 14. Whether membership and Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate are two different documents?
Ans. Yes, Both are different documents. Membership is granted to an exporter as per membership guidelines and as per Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Council. Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) is issued by the Council as per Foreign Trade Policy. Both are subject to requisite documents.

Q. 15. Whether membership is compulsory for obtaining Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) and issued on yearly basis?
Ans. Yes , it is compulsory to obtain membership with the Council to obtain Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC). It is renewed every year by payment of annual subscription fees.

Q. 16. Whether there is a separate fee for the Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC)?
Ans. No, there is no separate fee for obtaining Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC).

Q. 17. Any other mandatory document for issuing Membership?
Ans. Code of conduct as given can be downloaded and to be submitted on minimum Rs.10/- stamp paper with signature and stamp. (link to be given).

II-FAQ FOR REGISTRATION(RCMC)

Q1. What are the required documents for registration with the Council?
Ans. Along with the filled in application form, a self-attested copy of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is mandatory. If the applicant is a partnership firm, the partnership deed will be required to be submitted along with the form. If the applicant is Pvt. Ltd, Public limited firm, Corporation or Co-operative society a photocopy of certificate of incorporation (memorandum of Article of Association) and resolution regarding the signing authority has to be submitted. If an Export House applies for membership, the copy of export House Certificate is to be enclosed. Also if an applicant desired RCMC as manufacturer exporters, it must furnish an evidence to this effect i.e. a self attested copy of MSME Udhyam or IEM Certificate alongwith a "self declaration that as per NIC No. ….. M/s …..Manufacturing Handicrafts products such as………………(specify product categoty) on company letter head)..".

Q2. Is it necessary to get registered with the Council for export of handicrafts products?  
Ans. No, it is not mandatory but it facilitates for availing the services of Council and time to time incentives and assistance provided under Foreign Trade Policy to exporters.

Q3. Is it necessary to have the Importer Exporter Code to obtain the membership and Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC)?
Ans. Yes, it is essential to have Importer and Exporter code.

Q.4  What is the difference between merchant exporter and manufacturer exporter?
Ans. Merchant exporter is he who procures products from manufacturer or from other source and exports. A manufacturer exporter is he who manufactures products in its own units or other units and exports.

Q.5 Is it necessary to have the certificates from MSME Udyam or Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum Certificate for registering as a manufacturer exporter?
Ans. Yes, it is essential. On the basis of MSME Udhyam or Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum Certificate with regard to production of handicrafts RCMC as a manufacturer exporter can be obtained.

(In case Exporter status as Manufacturer Exporter)
Self -declaration for MSME Udyam Certificate

Please submit a self declaration on company letter head stating that " the product mentioned in Udyam Certificate as per National Industrial Classification number……… (NIC no. number to be mentioned) includes handicrafts products such as…………………….. (type of products) with signature and stamp.

III-FAQ for the renewal of membership

Q1. Is it mandatory to renew annual membership subscription?
Ans. Yes, it is necessary to pay the annual membership subscription every year.

Q2. What is the amount for the annual membership subscription?
Ans. Rs. 5900/- (5000+ 18% GST)

Q3. When the annual membership subscription becomes due?
Ans. Annual membership subscription become due on Ist April and should be paid before 30thJune of every year.

Q4. Can membership fees be paid in lump-sum for the next 10 year or certain years at one time?
Ans. No, one cannot pay the fees for the 10 years. It has to be paid annually.

Q5. If some one is not able to pay annual subscription, Is there any option to pay the subscription along with late fee charges?
Ans. No, there is no provision in the Article.

Q6. Can one can get the receipt by mail?
Ans. Yes, Council dispatches receipts by mail..

Q7. Can annual membership subscription be paid in by cash?
Ans. No, Annual Membership subscription is to be  paid either by demand draft/cheque in favour of “Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts” payable at New Delhi,or through RTGS/NEFT & ONLINE PAYMENT THROUGH MEMBER LOGIN (apply for User id/password, if not have) details as follows:-

Q8. If membership is not renewed in preceding year, the membership will remain or discontinue?
Ans. If a member do not get renewed its membership by stipulated date, membership will be ceased and a fresh membership needs to be obtained, if want to continue.

Q9. Can one can cancel his membership?
Ans. Yes, one can cancel his membership by way of request for the same and surrender their Original RCMC certificate issued by the Council along with a consent letter duly signed either by Proprietor/all directors/ or all partners of the company on letter head along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC)..

Q10. Membership renewal is on monthly basis or yearly basis?
Ans. Membership renewal is on financial year basis, which fall due Ist April every year.

Q11. Any other mandatory document to be submitted with Annual Membership fees?
Ans. 1.Code of conduct as given can be downloaded and to be submitted on minimum Rs.10/- stamp paper with signature and stamp (link to be given)

2. Export performance for the last 3 financial years, country of Export, value of export, product of export(main product category of Handicrafts)..

IV -FAQ for the Renewal of RCMC

Q1. What is the procedure to renew Registration-cum-Membership certificate (RCMC)?
Ans.Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC)in original issued by the Council is required to be submitted. In case of Manufacturer Exporter a valid MSME Udyam with self declaration as Manufacturing product as Handicrafts to be submitted with NIC Code as shown on MSME Certificate.

Q2. Is there any format for self Declaration in case of Manufacturer of Handicrafts to be submitted along with Original RCMC?
Ans.Self -declaration for MSME Udyam Certificate

.

Q3. In case of expiry of validity of Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) i.e. 5 years for a long time, Is there any provision to renew the same?
Ans.Yes, Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) will be renewed within the financial year in which it expires on submission of Original RCMC to EPCH's office.

Q4. Our Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) is valid for five years so is there any need to pay our subscription in between?
Ans. Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC)is valid subject to the payment of Annual membership fee every year. Annual Membership subscription will be fall due on 1st Aplil every year.

.

V -FAQ for the Amendments

Q1. Is there any fee to carry out amendment in the record?
Ans. No, there is no fee for the same.

Q2. Is there any stipulated time period for informing any change?
Ans. As per the Foreign Trade Policy, if there is a change in address, constitution etc, firm have to inform within 30 days to all the concerned authorities.

Q3. In case, there is any change in the address in Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) , what documents are required?
Ans. To carry out any change in the address, please submit the amended copy of Importer Exporter Code along with the request letter and original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC)  issued by the Council.

Q3. Is it necessary to furnish the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) for amendment?
Ans. Yes, it is essential to furnish the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC).

Q4. Is there any stipulated time period for informing any change?
Ans. As per the Foreign Trade Policy, if there is a change in address, constitution etc, firm have to inform within 30 days to all the concerned authorities.

Q5. What is the procedure to renew Registration-cum-Membership certificate (RCMC) ?
Ans. Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) in original issued by the Council is required to be submitted. In case of Manufacturer Exporter a valid MSME Udyam with self declaration as Manufacturing product as Handicrafts to be submitted with NIC Code.

Self -declaration for MSME (Udyam)

Q6. In case of expiry of validity of Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) i.e. 5 years for a long time, Is there any provision to renew the same?
Ans. Yes, Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) will be renewed within the financial year in which it expires.

Q7. Our Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) is valid for five year so is there any need to pay our subscription in between?
Ans. Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) is valid subject to the payment of Annual membership fee every year.

Q8. If we have a change in our partnership, what documents are required?
Ans. One has to submit the fresh partnership deed/dissolution deed along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) and amended IEC with new partners.

Q9. If we have a change in our directors, what documents are required?
Ans. One has to submit the amended copy of Importer Exporter Code, form-DIR-12 and board resolution along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) ,Master data of the company by MCA.

Q10. IF there is a change in registered office of Pvt Ltd/Public Ltd/corporation company, what documents are required?
Ans. One has to submit the amended copy of Importer Exporter Code, form-22 and board resolution along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC).

Q11. If we have a change in company’s status from merchant to manufacturer exporter, what documents are required?
Ans. One has to submit the MSME Udyam Or Industrial Entrepreneur with regard to production of handicrafts along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC).

Q12. What is the procedure to change Importer Exporter Code number in RCMC Certificate??
Ans. For amending new IEC number existing in RCMC one has to get cancelled the old IEC number by DGFT and give a copy of cancellation letter issued by DGFT along with original RCMC.

Q13. What is the procedure when the change in applicant who filed/signed the application with EPCH??
Ans. A fresh application forms(Membership,application for Registration, RCMC) to be filled and signed by one of the existing partners/Proprietor/Directors to be submitted along with other required documents.

Q14. How much time it take to make the amendment?
Ans. After receiving the complete documents, amendment will be carried out and forward to members within 7 working days minimum.

Q15. If there is a change in constitution from proprietorship to partnership, what documents are required?
Ans. One has to submit the amended Importer Exporter Code along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) and fresh partnership deed.

Q16. If there is an amendment in company’s name, what documents are required for registration (RCMC)?
Ans. Amended copy of Importer Exporter Code along with original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) is required to be submitted. In case of Pvt. Ltd./Ltd. companies required to submit a copy of certicate of Incorporation.

Q17. What is the procedure to get the duplicate RCMC?
Ans. One has to give the affidavit on Rs 10 stamp paper duly notarized by notary public and give the declaration regarding the lost of original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC).

Q18.  If someone wants to discontinue their membership, what are the formalities required?
Ans. One has to submit the consent letter duly signed either by Proprietor/all directors/ or all partners of the company on letter head along with the original Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC).

 Q19.  Any other mandatory document to be submitted with Annual Membership fees??
Ans. Code of conduct as given can be downloaded and to be submitted on minimum Rs.10/- stamp paper with signature and stamp .