Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL)

The Indian government has made several provisions for the forest products distributors to help them export their products on a global platform. Since the products are becoming popular among various countries, it is beneficial for the distributors to start shipping these products in the international market. Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council also known as SHEFEXIL, is a quasi-government body providing provisions which help the exporters gain exposure. It was previously known as SEPC and renamed to Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL) which now supports 860 individual products with close to USD 2140.94 million of exports in 2018-19.

Follow the steps given below to become a member of SHEFEXIL:

Step 1: Download the membership form

To apply for the council membership, one need to visit the SHEFEXIL’s official website. The membership form is available on the official website. Download the form and fill up the details required for the council membership.

Step 2: RCMC Form and Part I

The exporter needs to fill the RCMC Form and Part I along with the membership form. It is essential to attach this form along with the membership form, mentioned in Step 1.

Step 3: Copy of the License

Along with the membership form and the RCMC Form and Part I, the exporter also needs to attach a copy of the IEC Number. The concerned licensing authority issues this number. It is important to note that the copy of the license submitted needs to be self-certified by the exporter to avoid unauthorized registration for membership.

Step 4: Membership Fees

After ensuring that the applicant have all the documents in the steps mentioned above, he/she must check the membership fees that needs to be paid with the form. The membership fees are applicable based on the applicant’s annual turnover.

A detailed division of the membership fees is given below:

Entrance fee: Rs 20,000

Annual Fee:

Rs 10,000 for exporters with an annual export turnover above Rs 50 lakh. The exporter also need to pay 14.5% service tax on Rs. 10000

OR

Rs 5000 for exporters with a yearly export turnover below Rs 50 lakh. The exporter also needs to pay 14.5% service tax on Rs. 5000.

The exporter has to pay the membership in the form of demand draft or cheque issued in favour of ‘Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council’ payable at Kolkata. This cheque has to be submitted along with the documents mentioned above.

Note: Exporters who will be paying Rs 5000/-, they have to submit CA certificate along with their Annual Membership fees.

Once these documents are submitted, the membership will be confirmed upon the approval. The membership will be determined only based on the documents submitted to the committee.

Contact Us:

Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council
“Vanijya Bhawan”, ITFC,
1/1, Wood Street, 2nd Flr., Kolkata – 700 016.
email : shefexil@gmail.com

SHEFEXIL provides several benefits to its members. The council for Forest Products Export Promotion helps not only helps the exporters to grow in the business but also regulates the extraction of forest products. It also keeps the excessive custom duties in check. Some of the benefits provided by SHEFEXIL are discussed in detail below:

International Exposure

With the support of SHEFEXIL, it is easier for exporters to gain international exposure and increase their export business. SHEFEXIL offers several opportunities to its members to expand their business and achieve profits from forest products exports.

Research

SHEFEXIL, as a government body, support several research studies which make it beneficial for the members to find out about several specifications of the forest products and be updated about the same. Regular research helps the members to keep a check on the products that they are exporting. Research can also help the merchants to improve their packaging and delivery styles with knowledge about the products.

Publications

SHEFEXIL has several publications where research studies and recent news is printed. These publications keep the exporters up-to-date about the export market and the innovations happening in the business. This helps them improve the quality of services they are providing and widening the range of products they offer

Events and Meetings

Being a member, he/she will be invited to the events and meetings organized by the council. These meetings and events help the exporters to network with fellow exporters. This helps them expand their business locally; as well know more about the forest products export market. These meetings might also present the exporters with several opportunities to grow in the industry which the exporters might not have otherwise.

Information Online

The SHEFEXIL’s official website contains detailed information about several aspects of the export market. This helps the exporters to readily access the information and help themselves to grow and expand their businesses. Useful information helps exporters to know the current situations about the countries they are planning to export to, or the embassies present there. This crucial information can be accessed by the website, which plays an essential role in the small decisions an exporter has to make on daily basis.

SHEFEXIL has done considerably good work by helping the forest products distributors to start exports and maintain their business in the international market. The membership registration process is more comfortable with SHEFEXIL than several other institutions and the benefits of being a member also help the exporters to grow. SHEFEXIL also promotes forest products export by helping the members financially by aiding their business loan applications. SHEFEXIL also contributes to regulating the extraction of forest products from the forests to avoid the exploitation of resources by the exporters. The Forest Products Promotion Council promotes a sustainable business plan for the distributors and exporters.

1) What is the membership fee for SEPC?

• Entrance fee: Rs 10000
• Annual Fee:

a) Rs 10000 for exporters with an annual turnover above Rs 50 lakh. The exporter also need to pay 14.5% service tax on the annual fee
b) Rs 5000 for exporters with a yearly turnover below Rs 50 lakh. The exporter also needs to pay 14.5% service tax on the annual fee

2) Can I download the membership form online?

Yes, you can visit the official website and download the membership application online.

3) Is RCMC mandatory for the membership application of SEPC?

Yes, RCMC Form I is mandatory for the membership application of SEPC.

4) What all panels this council deals in?

This council deals in panels like vegetable saps, extracts of herbs, guar gum, fixed vegetable oils, oil cakes, shellac and lac based products and other vegetable materials.

5) Where is the head office of SHEFEXIL?

International Trade Facilitation Centre

1/1 Wood Street, 2nd Floor

Kolkata 700 016, India

Phone: 91-33-2283-4417

Email: shefexil@gmail.com