When you are sourcing spices or agricultural products from India, one of the first things you should verify is whether your supplier holds a valid APEDA registration. This single credential tells you more about an Indian exporter's legitimacy than almost any other document.
What is APEDA?
APEDA stands for the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in 1985.
APEDA is responsible for the promotion and development of export of scheduled agricultural products from India — which includes spices, dehydrated vegetables, fruits, processed foods, organic products, and more.
Is APEDA Registration Mandatory?
Yes. Under the APEDA Act, any Indian exporter exporting scheduled products — including spices, fresh fruits, vegetables, processed foods, and organic produce — must register with APEDA. Exporting without APEDA registration is a violation of Indian export law.
The registration is done once and is renewed annually. It results in an APEDA RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate), which exporters must present to customs for every shipment.
Daley Global's APEDA RCMC is valid and current. Our IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) is AAMCD5005D. You can verify our APEDA registration at the APEDA official portal.
What Does APEDA Registration Cover?
- Legal authorisation to export scheduled agricultural products from India
- Eligibility for APEDA financial assistance and market development schemes
- Participation in international trade fairs organised by APEDA
- Access to APEDA's quality control and inspection infrastructure
- Registration in the APEDA national database of exporters
APEDA vs Spices Board — What is the Difference?
Many buyers confuse APEDA registration with Spices Board registration. They are different:
- APEDA covers all scheduled agricultural exports, including spices, dehydrated vegetables, fruits, and processed foods
- Spices Board of India is a separate body specifically for spice exporters. It maintains quality standards for Indian spice exports and issues its own certificate of registration
A serious Indian spice exporter should hold both. Daley Global is registered with both APEDA and the Spices Board of India.
How to Verify an Indian Supplier's APEDA Registration
- Ask your supplier for their APEDA RCMC certificate — it contains their registration number, validity date, and the list of products they are registered to export
- Visit the APEDA official website (apeda.gov.in) and use the exporter search to verify the registration number
- Cross-check the IEC code on the certificate against the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) database at dgft.gov.in
- Request a copy of the certificate along with the first page of the IEC licence
Red Flags to Watch For
- Supplier cannot provide APEDA RCMC on request
- RCMC validity date has expired
- Products listed on RCMC do not match what you are ordering
- IEC code does not match between APEDA certificate and shipping documents
- Supplier claims APEDA registration is "not required" for their product category
Other Certifications to Look for Alongside APEDA
APEDA registration is the baseline. For a high-quality, compliance-ready Indian spice supplier, you should also look for:
- ISO 22000:2018 — Food safety management system
- FSSAI Licence — India's food safety and standards authority
- Halal Certification — Essential for buyers in UAE, Middle East, UK Muslim market
- US FDA Compliance — For exports to the United States
- HACCP / GMP — Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis certification
Daley Global holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2018, Halal MQA UK, FSSAI (11526998000301), HACCP, GMP, APEDA RCMC, and Spices Board registration. View all our certifications here.