Agri export layers three product-side registrations on top of the standard export stack: APEDA membership (the RCMC), a Central FSSAI licence, and per-consignment phytosanitary certificates. For premium markets like the EU and UK there is a fourth layer – approved packhouses and traceability systems. Here is the whole map with fees and portals.
Updated July 2026. Registrations and fees current as of July 2026 (major recent changes are dated in-line). Rules change by notification – use the official links to confirm before applying.
Registrations and licences you need
| Registration / licence | Applies | Government fee | Authority / portal | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import Export Code (IEC) | MANDATORY | Rs 500 (one-time) | DGFT dgft.gov.in | Lifetime, BUT annual April-June online update is mandatory (free if nothing changed) – miss 30 June and the IEC is auto-deactivated |
| AD Code registration Fully online on ICEGATE since 2022 – needed before your first shipping bill. | MANDATORY | Nil (bank letter + ICEGATE) | Your AD bank + ICEGATE icegate.gov.in | Ongoing; register port-wise |
| GST + LUT (Form RFD-11) Exports are zero-rated; the LUT lets you export without paying IGST. | MANDATORY | Nil | GST portal gst.gov.in | LUT valid one financial year – refile every April |
| APEDA RCMC APEDA is the export promotion council for fruits, vegetables and most processed agri products – the RCMC is effectively mandatory in this trade (buyers, benefits and several documents assume it). | MANDATORY | Rs 5,000 + GST = Rs 5,900 | APEDA via DGFT e-RCMC apeda.gov.in | 5 financial years |
| FSSAI Central licence Exporters fall under the CENTRAL licence category regardless of turnover. | MANDATORY | Rs 7,500 (as per FoSCoS) | FSSAI (FoSCoS) foscos.fssai.gov.in | PERPETUAL since March 2026 |
| Phytosanitary certificate (PSC) Every fresh-produce consignment needs PQ inspection and a PSC – build it into dispatch timelines. | MANDATORY | Consignment-based (modest, per PQ schedule) | Plant Quarantine (PQMS) pqms.cgg.gov.in | Per consignment |
| APEDA packhouse + traceability (EU/UK etc.) Market-specific: grapes to EU/UK require APEDA-recognised packhouses, GrapeNet traceability and residue monitoring (per the Feb-2026 season SOP); similar systems exist for onions, pomegranates and peanuts. | IF APPLICABLE | Recognition-based | APEDA apeda.gov.in | Season / recognition cycle |
| APMC / mandi licence Only if you buy in regulated mandis. | IF APPLICABLE | State-wise | State APMC | State-wise |
| Udyam (MSME) registration Not legally compulsory but practically essential: cheaper trademark and expedited fees, priority-sector lending, delayed-payment protection under MSMED Act. | MANDATORY | Free | Ministry of MSME udyamregistration.gov.in | Lifetime |
| ICEGATE + e-BRC Shipping bills, refunds and realisation tracking as in any export business. | MANDATORY | Nil | Customs / DGFT icegate.gov.in | Ongoing |
APMC rules are state-specific, and the packhouse / residue-monitoring layer is DESTINATION-specific (EU and UK strictest, Gulf lighter). Air-freight perishables also need airline and cold-chain arrangements that come commercially, not as registrations.
The right order to do it in
- Complete the general export base: entity, IEC (Rs 500), AD Code on ICEGATE, GST + LUT. See our import-export page for that sequence.
- Register with APEDA through the DGFT e-RCMC module (Rs 5,900, valid 5 financial years).
- Take the Central FSSAI licence on FoSCoS – exporters need Central regardless of turnover.
- Map your target market: EU/UK need APEDA-recognised packhouse access, GrapeNet/HortiNet registration and residue-monitored sourcing – lock this BEFORE committing to buyers.
- Set up the per-consignment routine: PQ inspection and phytosanitary certificate on PQMS, then shipping bill on ICEGATE.
- Add the APMC licence if you procure in regulated mandis, and Udyam for MSME benefits.
Documents to keep ready
Your NIC code: Division 46 for export traders – 46301 (wholesale of fruits and vegetables); processing units use Division 10 codes like 10304/10309. Open the NIC Code Finder to search and copy the exact code.
Frequently asked questions
Is APEDA registration mandatory for exporting fruits and vegetables?
Formally the RCMC is required for scheduled products when claiming benefits, and in practice virtually every fruits-and-vegetables exporter takes it – buyers expect it, several certificates key off it, and it costs only Rs 5,900 for 5 years through the DGFT e-RCMC module.
Which FSSAI licence does an agri exporter need?
A Central licence (Rs 7,500 as per FoSCoS), because exporters are a Central-licence category regardless of turnover. Since March 2026 the licence is perpetually valid once issued.
What is needed to export grapes to Europe?
The strictest stack in the trade: APEDA-recognised packhouse, GrapeNet traceability registration, sourcing from residue-monitored farms tested at APEDA-approved labs, plus the normal phytosanitary certificate per consignment. The current-season SOP was issued by APEDA in February 2026 – check it before the season starts.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate for every shipment?
Yes – every fresh-produce consignment needs Plant Quarantine inspection and a phytosanitary certificate, applied through the PQMS portal. Fees are modest and consignment-based, but the inspection step must be built into your dispatch timeline.
Related tools on CalcGuru
Import-Export base stackSpices Export – full stackBusiness Registration Guide (all types)Compliance Calendar + email remindersGST Calculator
This page lists the registrations COMMONLY required for this type of business – sector-, product- and state-specific requirements may also apply, and thresholds change by notification. It is general information, not professional advice; confirm your specific case with the official portals linked above or a professional before acting. See our full disclaimer.