PHARMEXCIL Registration helps eligible pharmaceutical exporters obtain a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate, or RCMC. It is often searched as a medicine export license, but it does not replace a drug licence or other product-specific export approvals.

PHARMEXCIL is the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India. It supports pharmaceutical exports and issues RCMCs to eligible exporters. 1446

What Is PHARMEXCIL?

PHARMEXCIL is set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It acts as a nodal agency for issuing Registration-cum-Membership Certificates to eligible pharmaceutical exporters. 1447

The council also provides export-promotion services, events and regulatory guidance. 

What Is an RCMC?

An RCMC is a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate issued after the relevant Export Promotion Council approves the exporter’s application.

For PHARMEXCIL, the RCMC confirms membership and registration for eligible pharmaceutical products. It does not automatically permit export of every medicine to every country.

Is PHARMEXCIL Registration a Medicine Export License?

A medicine export license and PHARMEXCIL registration are different.

PHARMEXCIL issues the RCMC. It does not replace the drug licence, product approvals, destination-country requirements or customs compliance.

PHARMEXCIL’s published application documents ask manufacturer-exporters and merchant exporters to provide their drug licence. Therefore, applicants should ensure their drug-licensing position is valid before applying.

Who Can Apply?

PHARMEXCIL’s published application documents identify three member categories:

• Large-scale manufacturers.

• Small-scale manufacturers.

• Merchant exporters.

The documents and fee differ by category. Therefore, select the correct category based on the council’s current requirements.

Documents Required for PHARMEXCIL Registration

The published application pack lists the following documents:

Some references in the older application pack may relate to earlier industrial-registration systems. Confirm the current accepted documents with PHARMEXCIL and the DGFT e-RCMC portal before filing.

PHARMEXCIL Registration Process

Step 1: Obtain an IEC

First, obtain an Import Export Code from DGFT.

The IEC is required to access the DGFT e-RCMC system. PHARMEXCIL’s user guide states that the applicant must register on the DGFT website as an importer or exporter.

Step 2: Open the e-RCMC Service

Next, access the e-RCMC service through the DGFT portal.

Select the option for a fresh application. The guide also allows applicants to continue an existing draft.

Step 3: Select PHARMEXCIL

Choose PHARMEXCIL as the relevant council.

Then, select the applicable member category and enter the requested business details.

Step 4: Add Products and Contacts

Provide the export-product details, company profile and authorised contact information.

The DGFT guide includes fields for export products, representatives and export destinations.

Step 5: Upload Documents

Upload the IEC, PAN, drug licence and other category-specific records.

Ensure that the business name, address and licence details match across all documents.

Step 6: Pay and Submit

Review the declarations, complete the signing process and pay the applicable fee.

Save the payment receipt and application reference for tracking.

Step 7: Track and Download the RCMC

Track the application through the submitted-applications section.

If the council requests clarification, respond through the specified process. After approval, download the RCMC from the DGFT e-RCMC system.

PHARMEXCIL Registration Fees

PHARMEXCIL’s published application pack provides the following fee structure:

Confirm the live fee before payment. The published figures may be updated by the council.

RCMC Validity and Annual Membership

PHARMEXCIL’s published RCMC form states that the certificate is valid for five years unless revoked or amended earlier. However, this is subject to annual renewal of membership.

Therefore, do not confuse the RCMC validity period with annual membership dues. PHARMEXCIL has also stated that RCMC renewal is issued after receiving the renewal fee and export values for the last three years.

Benefits of PHARMEXCIL Membership

Membership can provide access to:

• RCMC issuance.

• Export-promotion events.

• Regulatory guidance.

• Trade-related information.

• Certificate-of-origin services. 1446

Membership does not guarantee export orders, buyer approval or overseas product registration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating PHARMEXCIL registration as a complete medicine export licence.

• Applying without a valid IEC.

• Uploading an expired drug licence.

• Choosing the wrong member category.

• Confusing annual membership with the first-year total.

• Ignoring RCMC renewal requirements.

Conclusion

PHARMEXCIL registration helps eligible pharmaceutical exporters obtain an RCMC. First, obtain an IEC and prepare the IEC, PAN, drug licence and business-profile records.

Then, apply through the DGFT e-RCMC system and pay the applicable fee. The RCMC is valid for five years, subject to annual membership renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PHARMEXCIL?

PHARMEXCIL is the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 1447

Is PHARMEXCIL registration a medicine export license?

No. It is an RCMC. A separate drug licence and other product-specific approvals may still be required.

How much are PHARMEXCIL membership fees?

The published annual subscription is ₹36,000 for large-scale manufacturers, ₹10,000 for small-scale manufacturers and ₹12,000 for merchant exporters. Entrance fees and GST are additional where applicable.

Can I apply online?

Yes. PHARMEXCIL publishes guidance for the DGFT e-RCMC application system.