Coconut Board Registration - Fee, Procedure & Documents

The Coconut Development Board RCMC application needs two categories of documents: common documents required across all DGFT e-RCMC filings, and CDB-specific documents tied to the Board's mandate over coconut and coconut-based exports. Below is a clean breakdown of each.

1. Common Documents

These are the standard documents required for any RCMC application on the DGFT portal:

• Import Export Code (IEC) issued by DGFT
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the firm
• GST Registration Certificate of the registered office and branches
• Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Deed, or LLP Agreement depending on entity type
• Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA and AoA) for companies
• List of Directors, Partners, or Proprietors with their PAN and DIN, where applicable
• Board Resolution or Authorisation Letter for the authorised signatory
• Aadhaar of the authorised signatory
• Cancelled cheque or Bank Performance Letter for bank verification
• Proof of office address, such as a recent electricity bill or rental agreement
• FSSAI Licence, since coconut and coconut-based food products fall under food category
• Self-Declaration or Undertaking in the prescribed format
• Last RCMC Certificate (only for renewal applications)
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar e-Sign linked to the DGFT account for final submission

2. CDB-Specific Documents

In addition to the common set, CDB requires the following documents based on the official RCMC Application Form available at coconutboard.in/ExportPromotionCouncil/Forms/Appln-Form-RCMC.pdf:

• Self-certified copy of the IEC Number issued by the licensing authority
• Self-certified or attested copy of the Partnership Deed or MoA and AoA (not applicable to proprietorship firms)
• Demand Draft for Rs. 1,000 drawn in favour of the Chairman, Coconut Development Board, payable at Ernakulam (fee once paid is non-refundable)
• Self-certified or attested evidence of being a Manufacturer Exporter, including details of products manufactured, plant and machinery, and annual production capacity (mandatory for Manufacturer Exporters; not required for Merchant Exporters)
• List of Coconut Export Products with HS Codes, covering raw coconut, copra, coconut oil, virgin coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coconut milk and cream, coconut water, coconut chips, coconut sugar, coconut flour, neera, defatted coconut, and coconut shell-based products (excluding coir products, which fall under the Coir Board)
• Undertaking to Submit Quarterly Export Returns to the registering authority by the 15th day of the month following each quarter (post-issuance compliance requirement)
• Star Export House Certificate issued by DGFT, where applicable

Note: All documents must be uploaded in PDF format during the Attachments section of the application.

Registration with the Coconut Development Board (CDB) requires a single RCMC fee of ₹5,900 (inclusive of 18% GST). Professional Utilities charges ₹7,499 + 18% GST for Coconut Board registration assistance, subject to eligibility and applicable category.

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Coconut Development Board Registration is a compulsory certification under the Coconut Development Board for organizations involved in the processing, exporting, importing, or trading of coconut and coconut-based products. It was established under the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979 (Act 5 of 1979) and came into force on January 12, 1981. Exporters dealing in fresh tender coconuts, mature coconuts, desiccated coconut powder, coconut milk and cream, virgin coconut oil (VCO), coconut water, neera, coconut shell charcoal, and coconut shell-based activated carbon must obtain an official Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the CDB to clear port customs and claim FTP duty exemptions.

• Applicants are required to declare their main line of business while applying for RCMC for coconut board.
• The Coconut Development Board applies to anyone who indulged in coconut business, & hence it is required for such business to obtain RCMC certificate for their exports.
• If an RCMC holder fails to comply with the rules & guidelines of the board they shall be delisted as per the regulations.
• Delisted members will be given appropriate time to represent their case in front of authorities and a show cause notice before the acceleration of the-listing process.

Note: It is important for interested applicants to know all the rules & guidelines governing RCMC membership.

Obtaining an RCMC can be important for businesses involved in the coconut industry for several reasons:

The Coconut Development Board (CDB) covers various coconut and coconut-based products across the following categories:

Note: Products made from coconut husk and fibre, including coir products, fall under the separate jurisdiction of the Coir Board and are not covered under CDB's coconut product categories.

Registration Cum Membership Certificate for Coconut Board is valid for 5 years, starting from 1 April of the issuance year to 31st March of the fifth year, under Foreign Trade Policy 2023. However, membership registration fees must be paid annually, with each subscription year ending on 31st March. Delay or failure to renew the membership subscription within the prescribed period may result in the cessation of membership and affect access to applicable government benefits. Applicants can file the renewal request online through DGFT e-RCMC Portal. Some of the major documents needed for renewal are Active and updated Import Export Code (IEC) number, Self-certified copy of the existing RCMC issued by the Coconut Development Board, and Self-certified copy of PAN card and GST registration among others.

Coconut Board Membership Certificate provides support for coconut exporters and stakeholders involved in cultivation, nursery development, and processing. Support provided to exporters depend on the applicant's business activity:

Exporter RCMC Registration

• Coconut Board Exporter Registration is applicable to businesses involved in the export of coconut and coconut-based products, excluding products made from coconut husk and fibre.

CDB Development Schemes & Assistance

• (For growers, nurseries and processors)
• These are scheme-based support programmes and are separate from export RCMC membership.

As per Section 10 of the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979 of the Coconut Development Board (CDB) is responsible for promoting the development of the coconut industry through measures covering cultivation, productivity, processing, research, marketing and trade. Listed below are the major functions of the board:

Note: The CDB Act, 1979 specifically excludes the coir industry from the definition of the coconut industry. Coir-related development and promotion fall under the separate Coir Board.

Coconuts are the primary agricultural products covered under the Coconut Development Board (CDB) in India. To obtain CDB registration, applicants dealing in eligible coconut products must register with the Board and submit the required documents. The CDB promotes quality standards in coconut production and processing, benefiting businesses engaged in the coconut industry.

The documents required for CDB RCMC registration must be properly submitted by the applicant. For assistance with the application process or queries related to Coconut Development Board registration, the team of professionals at Professional Utilities provides expert support to help businesses obtain their RCMC certificate.