Federation of Indian Export Organizations Registration

The Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has introduced the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) to promote India's exports; it is an apex body of Indian export promotion organizations. The council, headquartered in New Delhi, represents the Indian entrepreneur's spirit of enterprise in the global market. This article will look at the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) in detail.

Objective of FIEO

The primary purpose of the FIEO is to help members promote the business internationally and work proactively in taking up the problems and difficulties of exporters with the concerned agencies for early resolution.

Service of FIEO

Export Promotion Activities of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) are as follows:

• • FIEO offers a weekly e-bulletin to keep the traders posted on the global developments affecting international trade and the country's foreign trade-related information.
• • Online Free Service available on Indian Trade Portal is a knowledge platform for MFN Tariffs, Preferential Tariffs, SPS/TBT, Rules of Origin of 65 countries, Import statistics of 87 countries, and India's contribution to the imports.
• • The council has two more chat services on the FIEO website to clarify queries on Corporate Legal Affairs, Arbitration, International Agreements, Technology Transfer, Patents, Trade Marks, Brand Management, Copyright, and related topics and to clarify queries on quality standards.
• • Press clippings on issues related to international trade are available on FIEO's website.
• • FIEO had started FOREX Services, which include Spot rates, Forward rates, Forward Calculator, FOREX Matrix, Pivot Points, LIBOR Rate, Historical Data, Currency Source, and Chart.

FIEO Membership Registration

The Indian Foreign Trade Policy, Memorandum, and Articles of Association of FIEO govern the FIEO's membership registration rules. As per the Foreign Trade Policy, an exporter must get a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) to avail of various benefits under the Policy.

Eligibility for FIEO Membership Registration

Merchant Exporter, Manufacturer Exporters, Merchant-cum-Manufacturer Exporter, or Service Provider can register with the FIEO to obtain the RCMC.

• • If an export product is not covered in any Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board, RCMC, in respect thereof, is to get from FIEO.
• • In the case of multi-product exporters not registered with any Export Promotion Council, where the mainline of business is yet to be settled, the exporter has to obtain RCMC from the Federation of Indian Exporters Organization (FIEO).
• • FIEO is the registering authority for Service exporters other than the 14 services listed in the Handbook of Procedures

FIEO Membership Benefits

The following are the advantages of enrolling with the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO): RCMC: FIEO issues Registration-cum-membership certificate (RCMC) to status holders as well as non-status holders (under Multiple Product Categories), which can use to obtain benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

MAI Grant: FIEO disburses the Market Access Initiative Scheme grant to eligible members participating in exhibitions, trade fairs, and delegations abroad. It also provides booths at a subsidized cost to its members in overseas exhibitions. FIEO participates in around 50 well-renowned exhibitions in a year the world over.

B2B Meetings: FIEO organizes a meeting of its members with the incoming delegations from other countries from time to time.

Hosting on FIEO website: FIEO provides its members with the opportunity of uploading product pictures on the official website of FIEO free of cost. FIEO member can also host their profile on the FIEO website, which is searchable.

FIEO Search Engine: FIEO website has a search engine where buyers can search for exporters from India dealing in different products. Names of only FIEO members are displayed, and buyers can contact member exporters directly. FIEO search engine is also available on many Indian Missions' websites. The coverage will increase more in the coming time. FIEO provides the platform for members to discuss issues with various authorities like excise, customs, DGFT, etc. Regular meetings are organized with the decision-makers to solve the exporters' problems.

FIEO CO: The council issues Certificates of Origin to members and issues Visa Recommendation Letters to members to facilitate their overseas travel

FIEO Membership Registration Fee

Note: The above fees are exclusive of 18% GST, and the Companies with export turnover equal to or more than Rs 5.00 Cr will have to register as Multi-Product Group (Premier)

Discount for Membership Fee
The FIEO members are entitled to a 10% discount if the membership fee is paid for five years and a 5% discount if the membership fee is paid for three years in advance. However, it will be subject to the continuation of the status in the status of Status Holders.

Fee for FOREX Services
FOREX Services are available (Intraday/ Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Half Yearly / Yearly) at 10.30 am, Monday to Friday (except Gazetted Holidays) at Rs. 3000/- per annum for FIEO members and Rs. 4000/- per annum for non-members

Documents for FIEO Membership Registration

The following documents need to enclose with the application form to obtain the FIEO Membership Registration:

• • A self-certified copy of the Import Export (IE) Code Number issued by the licensing authority concerned
• • A Cheque/Pay Order/Demand Draft favoring the Federation of Indian Export Organizations towards Annual Membership Subscription payable.
• • Letter of Authority on the letterhead of the organization
• • Self-certified copy of the SSI Registration Certificate/Industrial License/IEM/
• • A self-certified copy of One Star Export Houses, Two Star Export House, Four Star Export House, Three Star Export House, and Five Star Export House Certificate
• • ID proof of Director(s) / Partner(s)/ Proprietor(s) (Adhaar/ Driving License/ Voter ID Card/ Passport)
• • GSTIN
• • Export Turnover country-wise/commodity-wise for the past three financial years
• • Statement of foreign exchange earnings for the past three financial years-For Service Provide

Application Procedure

To become a registered member of FIEO and to procure RCMC from the council, the applicant needs to follow the procedure explained below: An exporter desiring to obtain an RCMC from FIEO must declare his main business line in the application form. The format of the application is as follows: After completing the details, the application form, along with the supporting documents, needs to send to the regional office of the FIEO at the following address:

• • The Director-General and CEO
• • Federation of Indian Export Organizations
• • NiryatBhawan, Rao Tula Ram Marg
• • Opposite. Army Hospital Research and Referral
• • New Delhi – 110057

After checking the details, FIEO will send the RCMC to the contact person's address provided in the application form.

DGFT Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)

Earlier, an exporter desiring to obtain an RCMC had to file an application in Form ANF 2C with the Tea Board and declare his mainstream business in the application. The procedure was outlined above for reference. The Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a Trade Notice No.35/2021-2022 for Mandatory Electronic filing of Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) or Registration Certificate (RC) through DGFT Common Digital Platform with effect from 01.04.2022. With this Trade Notice, DGFT informed that a new Common Digital Platform (DGFT e-RCMC module) for Issuance of RCMC had been developed, which would be single-point access for all exporters & importers. This Common Digital Platform is designed to provide an electronic, contactless single window for the RCMC/RC-related processes, including Applications for Fresh/ Amendment/ Renewal of RCMC/ RC.