An Indian rice exporter needs two groups of paperwork. The first group covers registrations: an Import Export Code (IEC), an APEDA Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), and an APEDA Registration-cum-Allocation Certificate (RCAC) for each contract. The second group covers each shipment: a phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading, and certificate of origin. Some destinations add their own requirements on top. Let’s break down every document, who issues it, and where exporters slip up.

Documents Required for Rice Export from India: Quick Checklist

Use this numbered list as your starting point. It applies to both basmati and non-basmati rice.

1. Import Export Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

2. APEDA e-RCMC, applied for through the DGFT portal.

3. APEDA RCAC, issued once you register each export contract.

4. Phytosanitary certificate from the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS).

5. Commercial invoice and packing list, which exporters may combine into one document.

6. Shipping bill for customs clearance.

7. Bill of lading, issued by the shipping line after loading.

8. Certificate of origin, when the buyer or destination country asks for it.

9. Destination extras, such as pre-shipment lab certificates for Russia or a Certificate of Inspection where an authority requires one.

APEDA lists the first four items as its general requirements for rice exports. The rest follow standard Indian export practice.

1. Registrations vs Shipment Documents

Many first-time exporters mix up the two groups. Registrations prove you may export rice. Shipment documents prove what you ship, where it goes, and who pays.

Keep digital copies of every item. Banks, customs, and buyers all ask for them at different points.

2. Import Export Code (IEC)

The IEC is a unique 10-digit number from DGFT, and no export moves without it. APEDA also lists it first among its general rice export requirements. A lapsed IEC can block your later applications, so update it on time. One industry guide puts the annual update window between April and June.

3. APEDA Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)

Rice is a scheduled product under APEDA, so registration is not optional. APEDA says exporters can apply for the e-RCMC through the DGFT portal. A valid RCMC is the mandatory first step before any RCAC application, and APEDA’s online system blocks access to the RCAC form without one.

Industry guides list the usual RCMC application papers as PAN, GST registration, IEC, a bank certificate, and the list of products you plan to export. An RCMC stays valid for five years, according to industry guides, so mark the renewal date in your calendar. Confirm current fees and documents on the APEDA and DGFT portals before you apply.

4. RCAC: The Contract-Level Permit

The RCAC is the document that surprises most newcomers. APEDA issues it after you register an export contract. The rule has applied to basmati rice since DGFT notification 18/2015-20 of August 1, 2016. It covers non-basmati rice since DGFT notification 33/2025-26 of September 24, 2025.

Here is what APEDA’s own FAQ says about it:

• Processing time: normally two to three working days, unless APEDA sends the application back for errors.

• Validity: shipment within 45 days of issue, so register only the quantity you plan to ship in that window.

• Scope: one destination country and one port of discharge per RCAC.

• Multiple ports: apply for separate RCACs, and the combined quantity can never exceed the contract quantity.

• Amendments: you may change the brand name, crop year, and port of loading. You may not change quantity or value.

• Incoterms: basmati applications must state FOB value. Non-basmati applications may use FOB, CIF, or CFR.

• Currency: applicants for Russia, Iran, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal may state the value in INR. Others give a US dollar equivalent.

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