Council for Leather Exports (CLE): Documents, Fees, Benefits, Membership

An individual or a company manufacturing or trading leather and leather products can apply for the membership of the CLE. The applicant requires the following documents:

• Application form of CLE
• Application form for Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)
• A self-attested copy of GST Registration
• A self-attached copy of the Import-Export Code (IEC) Number issued by the concerned authority
• In case the exporter is in manufacturing, a self-attested copy of registration under Department of Industries and Commerce. A Udhyog Aadhaar Memorandum, Industrial Licence, IEM certificate etc. are examples of the documents that are considered valid
• A copy of the export performance of last 3 years duly signed by a banking authority
• A membership fee is supposed to be paid through a Demand Draft or an Account Payee Cheque drawn in favor of “Council for Leather Exports”

Click here to submit the application form and become a CLE member.

There are different categories based on the export FOB value. The following schedule explains the different segments.

Member category based on previous year export FOB value	Entrance fee	Annual Fees	GST 18%	Total
Associate Members:
Below Rs.15 lakh (G)	Rs.3500	Rs.5000	Rs.1530	Rs.10030
Ordinary Members:
Above Rs.15 lakhs & upto 1 crore (F)	Rs.5000	Rs.7000	Rs.2160	Rs.14160
Above Rs. 1 crore & upto 5 crore (E)	Rs.5000	Rs.15000	Rs.3600	Rs.23600
Above Rs. 5 crore & upto 10 crore (D)	Rs.5000	Rs.20000	Rs.4500	Rs.29500
Above Rs. 10 crore & upto 50 crore (C)	Rs.5000	Rs.30000	Rs.6300	Rs.41300
Above Rs. 10 crore & upto 100 crore (B)	Rs.5000	Rs.40000	Rs.8100	Rs.53100
Above Rs. 100 crore (A)	Rs.5000	Rs.50000	Rs.9900	Rs.64900

Note: The above fees and charges are taken from the official website of CLE; however the exact fees and charges shall be defined by the council itself.

The members have an added advantage to participate in the schemes that help in promotion of the business through marketing, financing and strategic decision-making.

1. Marketing Development Assistance: A member who has completed 12 months of Membership in CLE and has complied with the monthly filing of export returns can avail the benefit of aggressive marketing campaigns organized by CLE in the form of exhibitions in India and abroad under the banner of Marketing Development Assistance (MDA). Exporters who have a FOB value of export from Rs. 3 lakh and up to Rs. 30 crore per annum can participate in the MDA scheme and avail reimbursement on their part of the expenditure incurred on trade delegations, fairs, exhibitions, etc. in India and abroad.

2. Duty Free Import Scheme (DFIS): The following schedule explains the category and rate of duty free import that can be benefited under the DFIS scheme.

Notified Eligible Inputs	3% of FOB value of export realization
Lining and Interlining materials for leather garments exporters	2% of FOB value of export realization
Manufacturer-exporters of leather garments	3% of FOB value of export realization
Merchant-exporters of Leather Garments	3% of FOB value of export realization
Footwear and other leather products for Manufacturer-Exporters only	3% of FOB value of export realization

3. Merchandising Exports from India Scheme (MEIS): This scheme, falling under the umbrella of Export Promotion Schemes notified under the Foreign Trade Policy, allows for a 3% duty scrip for notified leather products and footwear and 2% scrip for finished leather for export to Group A and Group B countries. This duty scrip can be used to offset the payment of custom duty charged on import of goods or inputs, payment of excise duty on domestic purchases.

4. Zero Duty Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme: Capital goods for pre-production, production and post-production can be imported at zero Customs Duty subject to the fulfillment of an export obligation equivalent to 6 times of duty saved on imports under this scheme in 6 years from Authorization issue-date.

5. Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme: Under MAIS, an exporter is benefited from the subsidy that is passed on by the CLE for organizing India Leather Expositions and participation in exhibitions.

 6. Integrated Development of Leather Sector (IDLS): This scheme focuses on upgradation of leather industries into a modern and technologically advanced production houses.

 The following schedule will explain the investment that can be availed under the Indian Leather Development Programme:

Upgradation of plant and machinery in Small Scale Industries	Upto 30% of cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 50 lakh
Upgradation of plant and machinery in non – Small Scale Industries	Upto 20% of cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 50 lakh

What is CLE?

Council for Leather Exports, part of the Export Promotions Council, thrives to promote and develop the Indian leather and leather products market. A plethora of benefits in marketing, financing, participation in global trade fairs to promote the leather industry are added advantages for a member of the CLE.

Is it compulsory to have RCMC certification to avail the benefits under CLE?

Various schemes require an individual to have both, a valid RCMC certificate and continuing membership. Hence, it becomes mandatory to hold a valid certificate.

Does CLE provide financial assistance to its members?

CLE indirectly helps its members financially by subsidizing, exempting, or off-setting duties on import of input and goods. However, core financial assistance of trade financing, discounting export bills, pre-shipment credit et al. cannot be availed as a service from CLE.