Capexil Certificate: How to Obtain?

Foreign exchange earnings and economic growth are closely tied to the export industry in India. A number of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) have been established under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to support and facilitate the export of specific products. One such council is CAPEXIL, or the Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India. For exporters dealing in non-traditional products under its jurisdiction, the Capexil Certificate is crucial.

CAPEXIL was founded in March 1958 to promote and facilitate the export of a wide range of chemical and allied products. In this article, we explain the meaning, benefits, eligibility, procedure, documentation for obtaining a Capexil Certificate.

Understand Capexil Certificate?

The Capexil Certificate stands for “Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India” which is an official document issued to exporters registered with CAPEXIL. It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Indian Government which encourages the export of chemical and allied goods. CAPEXIL Certificate shows that the exporter is CAPEXIL registered member and shows the eligibility to avail of many government export promotion benefits, including – Duty drawbacks, FTP (Incentives under Foreign Trade Policy), Access to trade fairs, buyer-sellers meets and delegations. 

There are several places where the CAPEXIL Certificate is needed such as – 

1. Getting benefits in any products covered under the schemes such as Advance Authorizations, MEIS/SEIS, RoDTEP.  
2. Participating in CAPEXIL-supported international exhibitions and trade fairs 
3. Certification for shipping bill processing in Customs (as applicable) 
4. Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) under Foreign Trade Policy
   

Eligibility Criteria for Capexil Certificate

The eligibility criteria for CAPEXIL Certificate is as follow: 

1. The applicant must be engaged in exporting or manufacturing any products which are covered under the CAPEXIL.  
2. Should have IEC (Import-Export Code) which is issued by the DGFT. 
3. They must have a legally recognized entity in India whether it is partnership, LLP, proprietorship or company.  
4. Should not be debarred or blacklisted by any government authority.

Documents Required for Capexil Certificate

The documents to obtain CAPEXIL Certificate is as listed below:

• Copy of Import Export Code (IEC) Certificate

• Copy of PAN Card of the entity

• Copy of GST Registration Certificate

• Company Incorporation Documents (like MOA & AOA or partnership deed)
• Bank Certificate or Cancelled Cheque (for bank account verification)
• Self-attested Address Proof of the registered office
• Details of Directors/Partners/Proprietor with PAN and Aadhaar
• Product List intended for export 
• Declaration Form as prescribed by CAPEXIL
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) – Class 2 or 3 (if applying online)
• Payment Receipt for application fees

Note: Additional documents may be requested depending on the product category and applicant status.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Obtain Capexil Certificate

Stepwise procedure to obtain CAPEXIL Certificate is as follow: 

Step 1: Before applying for a CAPEXIL Certificate, you must have a valid IEC if you don’t have registered it on the DGFT portal.

Step 2: Once you have the IEC, go to the Capexil official website.

Step 3: At this portal you will get two types of membership – 

1. Associate Membership that is for Non-manufacturer exporters and 
2. Ordinary Membership that is for Manufacturer exporters. 

Select the category as per your business activity. 

Step 4: Fill out the application form with appropriate details such as – IEC number, entity name, office address, etc. along with the scanned copies of all necessary documents in PDF. 

Step 5: Pay the applicable fees through NEFT/IMPS or payment gateways integrated on the portal. The fees for CAPEXIL certificate is – 

Step 6: After the application submission, it goes for the verification by the authority once it done the authority will issue the CAPEXIL Certificate which will be valid for 5 years from the date of issue. 

Benefits of CAPEXIL Certificate

• Enables access to government export incentives (like RoDTEP, EPCG). 
• Mandatory for claiming benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy. 
• Acts as a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for exporters. 
• Enhances credibility with international buyers and financial institutions. 
• Allows participation in international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets. 
• Provides market intelligence, export data, and trade statistics. 
• Offers training, workshops, and seminars for exporters. 
• Helps in preparing export documentation and certification. 
• Assists in resolving disputes and trade-related issues. 
• Represents exporters’ interests in policy-making and trade forums. 
• Facilitates entry into new global markets through promotional support. 
• Improves brand image and visibility in global trade.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a CAPEXIL Certificate?
   The CAPEXIL Certificate is a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) issued by the Chemical and Allied Export Promotion Council of India, required for exporters dealing in non-traditional, non-agro-based products.
2. Who needs to register with CAPEXIL?
   Exporters dealing in minerals, chemicals, paper, plywood, glass, cement, ceramic products, and other allied products must register with CAPEXIL to avail government benefits and export promotion schemes.
3. Is CAPEXIL registration mandatory for all exporters?
   It is mandatory for exporters of products falling under CAPEXIL’s purview to register and obtain the RCMC to avail incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy.
4. What is the validity of the CAPEXIL certificate?
   The CAPEXIL RCMC is generally valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
5. Can a trader (not a manufacturer) register with CAPEXIL?
   Yes, both manufacturers and merchant exporters are eligible to register with CAPEXIL.
6. How can I apply for a CAPEXIL certificate?
   You can apply online through the official CAPEXIL portal or through a professional consultant who handles export documentation and compliance.
7. Is physical presence required for registration?
   No, the entire process can be completed online, and physical presence is not required.
8. Can I get assistance from CAPEXIL after registration?
   Yes, CAPEXIL provides ongoing support including trade dispute resolution, policy updates, business leads, and export development assistance.
9. Is physical presence required for registration?
   No, the entire process can be completed online, and physical presence is not required.
10. Can I get assistance from CAPEXIL after registration?
    Yes, CAPEXIL provides ongoing support including trade dispute resolution, policy updates, business leads, and export development assistance.