Export Procedures

A.4 Obtaining Sales Tax Number: - Exportable goods are exempted from sales tax, provided, the 'exporter or his firm is registered with the Sales Tax Authorities. , For this purpose, the exporter is required to make an application in the prescribed form to the' Sales Tax Office (STO) in whose jurisdiction his {exporter's). Office is situated

A.5 Registration with, Export Promotion Council (EPC)

It is obligatory for every exporter to ,register with the appropriate Export Promotion Council (EPC) and obtain the 'Registrationcum-Membership Certificate' (RCMC). The benefits provided in the current EXIM Policy are extended only to the registered exporters having valid RCMC.

Export Promotion Council (EPC)

The Export Promotion Councils are non-profit organisations registered under the Indian Companies Act or the Societies Registration Act, as the case may be. They are supported by financial assistance from the Government of India.

Role
The main role of the EPCs is to project India's image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality goods and services. the EPCs encourage and monitor the observance of international standards and specifications by exporters. The EPCs keep abreast of the trends and opportunities in international markets for goods and services and assist their members in taking advantage of such opportunities in order to expand and diversify exports.

Functions
To provide commercially useful information and assistance to their members in developing and increasing their exports To offer professional advice to their members in areas such as technology upgradation, quality and design improvement, standards and specifications, product development and innovation etc.

 To organise visits of delegations of its members abroad to explore overseas market opportunities. To organise participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-seller meets in India and abroad.

 To promote interaction between the exporting community and the Government both at the Central and State levels

To build a statistical base and provide data on the exports and imports of the country.

Directory of EPCs

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Apparel Export Promotion Council Chemicals Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Export Promotion Council, (CHEMEXCIL) Carpet Export Promotion Council Cashew Export Promotion Council of India Chemical & Allied Products Export Promotion Council Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council Coffee Board National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) Overseas Construction Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) Power loom Development and Export Promotion Council

 Coir Board Electronic & Computer Software Export Promotion Council Engineering Export Promotion Council Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts Handloom Export Promotion Council Handicrafts & Handloom Export Corporation Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms Development Commissioner for Iron Steel Indian Silk Export Promotion Council Indian Trade Promotion Organization Council for Leather Export

 Plastic & Linoleum Export Promotion Council Rubber Board Shellac Export Promotion Council Sports Goods Export Promotion Council Spices Board Central Silk Board Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council Tea Board Tobacco Board Wool & Woolens Export Promotion Council

A.6 Registration with ECGC:

The exporter should also register with the Export Credit and Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) in order to secure overseas payments against political and commercial risks. It also helps the exporters in obtaining the financial assistance from commercial banks and other financial institutions. (https://www.ecgc.in)

 Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited, was established in the year 1957 by the Government of India to strengthen the export promotion drive by covering the risk of exporting on credit. Being essentially an export promotion organization, it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India. It is managed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives of the Government, Reserve Bank of India, banking, insurance and exporting community. ECGC is the fifth largest credit insurer of the world in terms of coverage of national exports. The present paidup capital of the company is Rs.800 crores and authorized capital Rs.1000 crores.

ECGC

Role
Provides a range of credit risk insurance covers to exporters against loss in export of goods and services Offers guarantees to banks and financial institutions to enable exporters to obtain better facilities from them Provides Overseas Investment Insurance to Indian companies investing in joint ventures abroad in the form of equity or loan

Need for export credit insurance

Payments for exports are open to risks even at the best of times. The risks have assumed large proportions today due to the far-reaching political and economic changes that are sweeping the world. An outbreak of war or civil war may block or delay payment for goods exported. A coup or an insurrection may also bring about the same result. Economic difficulties or balance of payment problems may lead a country to impose restrictions on either import of certain goods or on transfer of payments for goods imported.

 In addition, the exporters have to face commercial risks of insolvency or protracted default of buyers. The commercial risks of a foreign buyer going bankrupt or losing his capacity to pay are aggravated due to the political and economic uncertainties. Export credit insurance is designed to protect exporters from the consequences of the payment risks, both political and commercial, and to enable them to expand their overseas business without fear of loss

Functions
Offers insurance protection to exporters against payment risks Provides guidance in export-related activities Makes available information on different countries with its own credit ratings Makes it easy to obtain export finance from banks/financial institutions Assists exporters in recovering bad debts Provides information on credit-worthiness of overseas buyers

Registration with other Authorities: The exporter should also register with various other authorities
Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO), Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Chambers of Commerce (COC), Productivity Councils, etc.