Shellac Export Promotion Council

India produces different kinds of non-timber forest and agricultural products abbreviated as NTFPs. It exports these products to various destinations on a global scale. The organization responsible for carrying out the export of these materials is SEPC (Shellac Export Promotion Council). This Council was formed under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry sponsorship to bring about exports of Shellac and lac-based products to various destinations globally. SEPC was recently renamed Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL). It presently caters to 860 products and earned a revenue of over 2000 U.S. Dollars from exports just last year.

Mission of SHEFEXIL

The primary mission of SHEFEXIL is to Solidify plans and resourcefulness for exports of non-timber forest produce, maximize India's export potential through collaborative action, and assist the Council members in increasing exports and executing their responsibilities and obligations under foreign trade policy.

Vision of SHEFEXIL

Realizing the full potential of India's non-timber forest produce exports through collaborative action
Creating a global brand for India's-timber forest produce
Conceptualizingplans and resourcefulness for exports of non-timber forest produce
Converting exports of non-timber forest produce as an instrument to improve the lives of the weaker sections of the population and develop the economically-weaker sections of the society
Increasing employment opportunities in the non-timber forest produce export sector and ensuring infrastructure development in rural tribal areas

Solidifying plans and resourcefulness for exports of non-timber forest produce

Strategic initiatives of SHEFEXIL

The overall strategic plan is to achieve twin goals - Export Enhancement and Employment Generation. The breakdown of the overall strategy are:

1^st strategy

Achieving the desired market share in target nations of the U.S.A., Germany, UK, Japan, China, Canada, Hong Kong, and Egypt, presently accounting for a market share of 60%.

2^nd strategy

Establishing ways to boost productivity
Improving the quality of products
Improving the Consistency of products
Aiming to bring India to a competitive edge in exports
Current target products for exports – Non-Timber Forest Produces (NTFPs) and their variants: Guar Gum and Sesame Seeds which are currently accounted for 80% of export

3^rd strategy - Targeting "value additions" through product development and research. 4^th strategy - Developing an Indian brand for sustainable market impact. 5^th strategy - Evolving a comprehensive growth model to partner with the rural poor.

Procedures for the export of Shellac and forest products

Products that can be exported without a license but are subject to the policy given in the handbook:
- Shellac
- All forms of Lac (except Pesswa, any lac containing living insects)
Sticklac and Broad Lac
An exporter needs to approach the separately with specific documents to the Council to obtain necessary certificates and lastly to the Customs Authority for ultimate clearance to ship the cargo/products.
- Each exporter has to follow the new system - Standardized Pre-shipment Export Documentation System. This system includes:
  - Commercial Invoice
  - Packing list
  - Bill of landing/combined transport document
  - Certificate of Inspection/In-process Control
  - Insurance certificate of policy
  - Certificate of origin
  - Bill of exchange
  - Shipment advice
  - Proforma/Invoice
  - Intimation for inspection
  - Shipping instructions
  - Insurance declaration
  - Shipping Order
  - Mate receipt
  - Application for certificate of origin
  - Letters to the bank for collection/negotiation of documents

Documents Needed to Register with the Shellac Export Promotion Council

An exporter needs to submit the following documents: A guarantee form (given below) in the prescribed proforma is to be furnished on letterhead with at least 200 gm of the sample of Lac to be transported.

SPECIMEN COPY OF THE GUARANTEE FORM

No.______________ Date______________ To Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council 14/1B Ezra Street, Calcutta – 700 001 We at this moment forwarded a sample out of a lot ______________ Bags/Cases Weighing ______________ kg/lb each bag/case of ______________ (Name of the Commercial grade) intended to be shipped to ______________ (destination). The F.O.B. value of exports is Rs. ______________. We, at this moment, declare that this sample has been drawn from the actual goods packed and ready for shipment in our godown and waiting for dispatch to the Dock on ______________. We further declare that the goods to be finally shipped shall be at per with the quality of this sample adjudged. By the Council's Examiners differ materially from the rate declared by us, we shall be liable to such Disciplinary Action as may be decided by the Council. We would request you issue a Certificate of Inspection/In-process Quality Control based on an Examination of the sample above. Yours faithfully (Seal & Signature) Four copies of Certificate of Inspection/In-process Quality Control typed and filled. Blank forms of the 'Certificate of Inspection/In-process Quality Control' are provided by the Council on a request basis. A cheque or Draft has been drawn in favor of "Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council" calculated at 0.25% of the F.O.B. value on exports in INR to be mentioned on the Certificate of Inspection/In-process Quality Control. Registration Fee at 0.25% on F.O.B. value of exports drawn in Cheque or Draft in favor of "Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council" to be paid at the time of submitting above mentioned documents to the Council. While submitting documents to the Council, one copy of the Certificate of Inspection/In-process Quality Control is retained by the Council.* * Note: Exporters are advised to check the F.O.B. value with the Council to avoid variance.

DGFT Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)

Earlier, an exporter desiring to obtain an RCMC had to file an application in Form A.N.F. 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 (R.C.) 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. The Common Digital Platform for Electronic filing of RCMC shall be available at https://dgft.gov.in. Click here to learn more about the DGFT Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) – Online Procedure.