The CAPEXIL certificate is a legal permit to boost the export of chemical and allied products in India. It is mandatory for those who want to tap into DGFT’s schemes, including duty drawback and tax incentives. Plus, it enables chemical exporters to be a part of the government’s trade promotion initiatives. However, it applies to specific product categories. That said, here is everything you need to know about this mandatory certificate.
What is a CAPEXIL Registration, and Who Grants it?
CAPEXIL stands for the Chemical and Allied Products Export Promotion Council. It falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce. Its primary role is to boost the export of chemical and allied products by strengthening interplay with importing nations and launching initiatives. The CAPEXIL certificate bridges the gap between these initiatives and the chemical exporters struggling with international trade. Besides, it eases cross-border shipping and simplifies the identification of potential markets.
Headquartered in Kolkata, CAPEXIL has several regional offices across major cities, including Delhi and Chennai. The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) grants it against the prescribed application and paperwork.
Decoding Products Covered Under CAPEXIL
Currently, CAPEXIL spans 16 product categories, each with different products. The table gives an explicit demonstration of the same:
| Panel Category | Core Products & Items Covered |
| Animal By-Products | Crushed bones, bone grist, animal dung/excreta, hoof and horn meal, and other raw animal derivatives. |
| Ossein & Gelatine | Ossein, pharmaceutical gelatine, edible gelatine, industrial glues, and bone-derived proteins. |
| Auto Tyres & Tubes | Tyres and inner tubes for cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, and bicycles; flap and retreading materials. |
| Rubber Products | Rubber sheets, mats, hoses, footwear components, rubber conveyor belts, surgical gloves, and reclaimed rubber. |
| Ceramics & Allied Products | Ceramic tiles (vitrified/wall/floor), sanitaryware, tableware, kitchenware, refractories, refractory bricks, and insulation. |
| Glass & Glassware | Float glass, laboratory glassware, glass bottles/vials, fiberglass, mirrors, vacuum flasks, and decorative glassware. |
| Plywood & Allied Products | Plywood sheets, flush doors, wood laminates, blockboards, veneers, wooden furniture components, particle boards, and cork products. |
| Paper, Paper Board & Products | Kraft paper, writing paper, tissue paper, paperboards, cartons, paper bags, envelopes, and stationery items. |
| Books, Publications & Printing | Printed books, journals, textbooks, calendars, greeting cards, newspapers, atlases, and commercial printing services. |
| Paints, Ink & Allied Products | Acrylic paints, varnishes, enamels, printing inks, dyestuffs, pigments, masterbatches, and painters’ fillings. |
| Cement, Clinkers & Asbestos | Portland cement, white cement, cement clinkers, asbestos sheets, jointings, and asbestos fiber packing. |
| Natural Stones & Products | Raw and polished granite blocks, marble slabs, sandstone, limestone, slate stones, monuments, and stone artifacts. |
| Bulk Minerals & Ores | Iron ore, bauxite, chrome ores, coal, lignite, copper ores, salt, and non-alloyed aluminum ingots. |
| Processed Minerals | Calcined bauxite, upgraded ilmenite ore, mica flakes/powder, bentonite, feldspar, and quartz powder. |
| Graphite, Explosives & Acc. | Graphite electrodes, carbon blocks, industrial explosives, detonators, safety fuses, and pyrotechnic accessories. |
| Miscellaneous Products | Safety matches, fireworks, activated carbon, coconut shell charcoal, urea, chemical fertilizers, and tanning extracts (like cutch or myrobalan). |
Documents Required to Secure CAPEXIL Certificate in 2026
Here is the tabulated view of documents required to obtain the CAPEXIL permit in India. These documents must be uploaded in a PDF format on the DGFT’s portal during application submission:
Core Paperwork
| Document Name | Applicability | Purpose & Description |
| Import Export Code (IEC) | All Applicants | Self-certified copy of your active IEC certificate issued by the DGFT. |
| PAN Card | All Applicants | Permanent Account Number of the firm, company, or sole proprietorship. |
| GST Registration Certificate | All Applicants | Registration copy for the primary office and any active branch handling exports. |
| Authorized Signatory ID & Address | All Applicants | Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID of the signing authority + Passport Photo. |
| Bank Verification Proof | All Applicants | Cancelled cheque showing legal name, account number, & IFSC. (Or Bank Letter) |
| Self-Declaration Undertaking | All Applicants | Signed/stamped statement on letterhead verifying the firm isn’t blacklisted. |
Business-related Dossiers
| Exporter Legal Structure | Required Supporting Paperwork | Purpose & Description |
| Private / Public Limited Company | Certificate of Incorporation (CoI) MOA and AOA Board Resolution | Verifies corporate existence with the MCA and names the authorized signing director. |
| Partnership / LLP | Partnership Deed or LLP Agreement LLP Registration Certificate | Identifies all active legal partners and validates business signing rights. |
| Sole Proprietorship | Shop & Establishment License or Udyam Registration Certificate | Proves commercial existence under a single independent owner. |
Exporter Category Specific Documents
| Exporter Category | Document Name | Purpose & Description |
| Manufacturer Exporter | Industrial License / Proof | Valid Factory License, SPCB Pollution Consent, or MSME Udyam certifying manufacturing capacity. |
| Natural Stone & Ore Panels | Mining / Quarry Lease | Mandatory document if registering under raw granite, marble, bulk minerals, or ore panels. |
| Merchant Exporter (Trader) | Chartered Accountant Certificate | Official CA-signed statement detailing your Export/Domestic turnover over the past 2 financial years. |
| Controlled/Allied Goods Trader | Supporting Manufacturer License | Required dynamically if your trading item requires specialized Purchase Advisory clearance. |
CAPEXIL Registration Process 2026
Before you follow the steps below, ensure you have an updated and active Import-Export Code (IEC) and a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
A: Head to the dgft.gov.in[1] and complete the login formalities.
B: On the home page, follow the given sequence to apply for RCMC
Services ➔ Services Access ➔ Apply for RCMC.
C: Wait till the portal populates the screen with the company’s details linked with your IEC.
D: Under the Registering Authority dropdown, select CAPEXIL.
E: Choose your appropriate Export Promotion Council (EPC) Category:
- Manufacturer Exporter
- Merchant Exporter
F: Select your product among the 16 available categories
G: Next, upload the core documents, structure proofs, and category proofs.
H: Wait till the portal estimates the fee based on the information you have provided.
I: Head to the payment gateway, submit the fee, and secure the receipt.
J: Choose between DSC Token or Aadhaar e-Sign to e-sign the application form
K: Finally, hit the Submit tab.
The CAPEXIL Certificate provides a perfect launchpad for exporters dealing with diverse chemical-based products. Although having it is mandatory, it can unlock the true potential of an exporting business by providing tangible benefits. We hope this guide will simplify your registration journey. You can always get in touch with Advisou if you do not want to deal with legalities and paperwork. As a reputed and reliable licensing partner, Advisou promises seamless registration for its esteemed clients across several license categories, including CAPEXIL. Contact us now for hassle-free assistance.
Also Read: AD Code Registration: A 2026 Guide for Indian Exporters
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: What is the validity period of a CAPEXIL RCMC?
Answer: A CAPEXIL certificate is valid for up to 5 financial years, ending automatically on March 31st of the final year. You must pay an annual membership renewal fee each year to keep your export benefits active without disruption.
Q 2: Can a business register under multiple product panels?
Answer: Yes, companies exporting diverse goods can register under multiple panels under a single CAPEXIL certificate. You just need to select your primary panel first on the DGFT portal and then upload supporting documents for any additional categories.
Q 3: Is it mandatory to file regular export returns with CAPEXIL?
Answer: Yes, registered exporters must submit Quarterly Export Returns detailing their shipping values via the CAPEXIL portal. Failing to submit these regular filings, along with your annual turnover data, can result in the suspension of your certificate.
Q 4: How do Merchant and Manufacturer registration fees differ?
Answer: Merchant Exporters pay a flat application and annual membership fee to the council. Manufacturer Exporter fees are dynamic and tiered, scaling based on either your total plant and machinery investment or your gross export turnover.
Q 5: Do I need a CAPEXIL certificate if I already have a FIEO or CHEMEXCIL RCMC?
Answer: Yes, because the DGFT requires a product-specific RCMC from the dedicated council to claim core duty benefits. While CHEMEXCIL covers raw/basic chemicals, CAPEXIL specifically governs downstream allied items like rubber, glass, minerals, and paper.
