MPEDA REGISTRATION

The Indian government established MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) to increase the export of seafood from India. As a regulatory body, it is in charge of overseeing and promoting the seafood industry. MPEDA is also responsible for ensuring that seafood exports follow international regulations and meet the quality requirements of the countries importing the products.

Obtaining MPEDA registration is an essential process when it comes to exporting seafood products from India.

BENEFITS OF MPEDA REGISTRATION:

To be able to export seafood products to global markets, seafood exporters in India are required to register with MPEDA. By doing so, these exporters can enter the international market and expand their business, ultimately increasing revenue.
MPEDA ensures that seafood exporters adhere to the international standards and regulations established by the importing nations. This, in turn, enables exporters to establish a reputation for excellence and compliance, which is critical for success in the global market.
MPEDA offers a range of assistance to exporters who are registered with its services. These include aid with product development, quality control, market intelligence, and financial support. These offerings are designed to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exporters of seafood on a global scale.
India’s government offers a range of export incentives to seafood exporters who are legally registered. These include Duty Drawback, the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), and the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme. By making exporters eligible for these incentives, the government is able to help them lower their production costs and boost their overall profits.

TYPES OF MPEDA REGISTRATION:

There are two main categories of MPEDA registration.

All seafood exporters in India must obtain a Regular MPEDA Registration, which is mandatory. The registration certificate will remain valid for three years, after which it must be renewed.
Registration for One-Time Use: Individuals who occasionally or in small quantities export seafood products must register. This registration lasts for one year and can be extended for an additional year.

PROCESS OF MPEDA REGISTRATION:

To register with MPEDA, one must complete several steps, which are:

For MPEDA registration, seafood exporters should provide an online application along with the necessary documentation. The required documents for registration with MPEDA are outlined below.

PAN Card
GST Registration Certificate
Bank Certificate
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum of Association
Article of Association
Exporters Code (IEC)
FSSAI License
Registration for Aqua Culture is required for those who are exporting shrimp.

MPEDA representatives will examine the documents presented and inspect the exporter’s facilities during the process of verifying the records.
Following the inspection, a report is created and submitted to the MPEDA office for review.
Once the validation and examination procedures have been finalized, the MPEDA will provide the exporter with a registration certificate.

The certification of registration remains valid for a period of three years and necessitates renewal once the term expires. To accomplish renewal, the exporter needs to follow a process similar to the registration procedure and file an online application while providing all the necessary documentation.

COST AND TIME INVOLVED:

The expenses and duration required for MPEDA registration alter based on the exporter’s whereabouts and the kind of registration they obtain. Normal MPEDA registration has costs of approximately INR 5000, while one-time registration charges amount to INR 1000. Verification and inspection procedures influence the duration of the registration, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

ADVANTAGES OF MPEDA REGISTRATION:

To be able to sell their seafood products overseas, Indian exporters are required to register with MPEDA. Registering with MPEDA enables them to enter the global market, thereby boosting their profits and promoting business growth.
MPEDA guarantees that seafood exporters adhere to the global norms and requirements established by the nations to which they are selling their products. This enables exporters to establish their standing for superior quality and compliance, which is indispensable for thriving in the international arena.
Assistance from MPEDA: MPEDA offers diverse forms of support to enlisted exporters, which include market insights, product innovation, quality management, and monetary aid. These forms of assistance work towards enhancing the competitiveness of Indian seafood exporters on the international stage.
In order to support registered seafood exporters, the Indian government offers a range of export incentives such as Duty Drawback, the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) and the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme. These incentives serve to lower production costs and boost the profitability of exporters.

DISADVANTAGES OF MPEDA REGISTRATION:

Complicated procedure: Registering with MPEDA encompasses multiple phases and necessitates the provision of assorted papers. For inexperienced exporters, this can be a challenging and protracted undertaking.
The expenses related to registering and other related costs can be expensive, notably for exporters who operate on a smaller scale.
The process of verifying and inspecting can be time-consuming, which may hinder the exporter’s intention to enter the global market within their designated timeline.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT:

Exporters of seafood products in India are required by law to register with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in order to be able to export their products to overseas markets. As a government body, MPEDA oversees and facilitates the export of seafood items from India. To obtain MPEDA registration, exporters must adhere to certain legal prerequisites and guidelines.

In order to export seafood products from India, it is obligatory for all exporters to register with MPEDA. This registration procedure comprises of filling an online application, providing necessary documentation and having their facilities inspected by MPEDA authorities.

MPEDA guarantees that seafood exporters adhere to the international standards and rules established by the importing nations. The exporter is responsible for assuring that their merchandise satisfies the quality and safety standards set out by MPEDA and the importing nations.

The MPEDA registration is valid for a period of three years, and exporters are required to renew their registration upon its expiration. This process entails submitting an application online and undergoing an inspection of their facilities, which is similar to the initial registration process.

If an exporter fails to follow the regulations set by MPEDA, they may be faced with penalties, suspension, or potentially having their registration certificate cancelled. To avoid any negative consequences, exporters must make sure they obey all MPEDA rules and regulations.

MPEDA has the authority to apply limitations on the export of specific seafood items if they do not fulfil the quality and safety norms stated by MPEDA or the importing nations. The exporter must abide by these restrictions to prevent any punishment or discontinuation of the export business.

The exporter is required to keep precise documentation of their exports, which includes details about the number, worth, and location of the merchandise. These records must be stored for at least three years and must be accessible to MPEDA authorities upon demand.

In order to export seafood products to international markets, it is mandatory for seafood exporters in India to obtain MPEDA registration. Compliance with MPEDA’s regulations and guidelines regarding quality and safety standards of the products is necessary. Failure to comply may lead to serious consequences, such as penalties, suspension, or revocation of the registration certificate.

CONCLUSION:

Getting registered with MPEDA is an indispensable measure that Indian sea-food exporters need to take in order to gain entry into international markets and follow the norms developed by the importing nations. The registration process is uncomplicated, and there are numerous benefits of getting registered. Upon registration, sea-food exporters can enhance their competitiveness, obtain support services, and make use of government-backed export incentives. In essence, MPEDA registration is a critical determinant of the success of Indian sea-food exporters.