Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs

EPCES represents around 7,000 operational EOUs and SEZ units/developers across the country, contributing nearly 34% of India’s total exports.

Key activities include:

• Organizing Open Houses, stakeholder consultations, seminars and workshops to resolve member issues and share policy updates.
• Taking up industry concerns with key Ministries and authorities including Commerce, Finance, DGFT, CBIC, GST Council, CBDT, RBI and State Governments.
• Participating in and facilitating participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in India and abroad.
• Publishing EPCES News (quarterly), Weekly News, Monthly Trade Bulletin along with circulars, updates and reference publications.
• Organizing buyer–seller meets, delegations and business networking platforms.
• Providing financial support through the MAI scheme for global marketing and participation in trade events.
• Conducting policy studies and industry consultations.
• Issuing Non–Preferential Certificate of Origin to eligible members.

• Organizing Open Houses, stakeholder consultations, seminars and workshops to resolve member issues and share policy updates.
• Taking up industry concerns with Ministries and authorities including Commerce, Finance, DGFT, CBIC, GST Council, CBDT, RBI, State Governments and other concerned Ministries/Departments.
• Participating in and facilitating participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in India and abroad.
• Publishing EPCES News (quarterly), Weekly News, Monthly Trade Bulletin along with circulars, updates and reference publications.
• Organizing buyer–seller meets, delegations and business networking platforms.
• Providing financial support through the MAI scheme for global marketing and participation in trade events.
• Conducting policy studies and industry consultations.
• Issuing Non–Preferential Certificate of Origin.

Through continuous engagement with the Government, EPCES has contributed to several major policy improvements, including:

• Extension of RoDTEP benefit to SEZs and EOUs (extended till 31.03.2026).
• Exemption from mandatory Quality Control Orders for imports meant for exports.
• Permission for IT/ITES SEZs to serve the domestic market through new SEZ Rule 11B.
• Hybrid working flexibility extended till 31.12.2027 under SEZ Rule 43A.
• Clarification on FEMA regulations that they will not apply to certain service transactions between SEZ units and between DTA units and SEZ units for export of services.
• Continued zero-rating benefits for lease rentals and charges related to employee welfare facilities for SEZ units.
• Streamlined compliance by enabling quarterly filing of returns instead of monthly filing for EOUs.
• Exemption from restrictions on importing IT hardware and movement of used IT assets for captive use by SEZs and EOUs.

Membership is mandatory for every EOU/SEZ Unit and SEZ Developer.

Any eligible EOU/SEZ Unit or SEZ Developer can become a member of EPCES.

How to apply:

• View the detailed process on the EPCES page: How to Become a Member of EPCES.
• Submit your online application through the DGFT common membership portal (e-RCMC): DGFT e-RCMC Portal.

Membership Benefits

• Free Monthly Trade Bulletin covering regulatory and policy updates.
• Weekly SEZs/EOUs & Trade News for timely information on sector developments.
• Free quarterly Newsletter with insights, circulars and best practices.
• Free EPCES query answering service via email: query@epces.in.
• Resolution of issues with Government through representations and direct engagement with relevant authorities.
• Timely updates shared through email and dedicated WhatsApp groups for faster access to important information.

Access the EPCES brochure for a concise summary of our services, membership benefits, events and contact details. Click below to download the PDF.