Verified as on September 2026 against Foreign Trade Policy 2023 Chapter 1, Handbook of Procedures 2023 and DGFT Trade Notice No. 28/2023-24.
The Short Answer: What is a Status Holder Certificate
A Status Holder Certificate is a formal accreditation granted by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to exporters that achieve specified cumulative export earnings. Governed by Chapter 1 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023, recognition is tiered from One Star Export House (minimum USD 3 Million) to Five Star Export House (USD 800 Million) based on FOB export realization over the current financial year plus the preceding three financial years. The certificate remains valid for five years from the date of issue.
The rule that decides everything: Export performance is calculated strictly on realised Free On Board (FOB) value in US Dollars supported by electronic Bank Realisation Certificates (e-BRCs) in the DGFT repository. Unrealised shipping bills, domestic sales and third-party exports without supporting manufacturer endorsements cannot be counted toward the statutory threshold.
| Item Parameter | Statutory Provision |
|---|
| Recognition Title | Status Holder / Star Export House Certificate (One Star to Five Star) |
| Governing Authority | Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Legal Basis | Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (Chapter 1, Paras 1.25 and 1.26) and Handbook of Procedures 2023 (Para 1.08) |
| Qualification Metric | Cumulative FOB export performance in US Dollars over the current financial year plus preceding three financial years |
| Certificate Validity | 5 years from the date of issue (renewable based on continuous export performance) |
| Primary Privilege | Self-certification of Certificate of Origin under FTAs, 100% Bank Guarantee exemption for Advance Authorisation and EPCG |
| Issuance Mode | System-based electronic auto-issuance via DGFT portal linking ICEGATE and e-BRC data (Trade Notice No. 28/2023-24) |
Why We Are Writing This
Many Indian exporters mistakenly assume that Star Export House recognition is only attainable by giant conglomerates. In Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry substantially reduced export performance thresholds across Two Star, Three Star, Four Star and Five Star tiers, while introducing double weightage for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), ISO-certified manufacturing units and women entrepreneurs.
For mid-sized exporters, holding Status Holder accreditation delivers massive financial and operational advantages. A single Bank Guarantee waiver on an EPCG capital machinery import worth 5 crore saves an enterprise between 1% and 2% in annual bank commission charges while unfreezing critical credit lines. Rasp International audits export realizations, computes eligible weightage credits and executes electronic applications to ensure your enterprise secures every statutory privilege available under the policy.
The Five Status Holder Tiers under FTP 2023
Under Para 1.25 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023, export performance thresholds are defined in US Dollars (USD). The policy rationalized qualification criteria, lowering barriers to entry for growing exporters:
| Status Holder Category | FTP 2023 Threshold (FOB in USD) | Previous FTP 2015-20 Threshold | Statutory Reduction |
|---|
| One Star Export House | USD 3 Million | USD 3 Million | Maintained entry threshold |
| Two Star Export House | USD 15 Million | USD 25 Million | Reduced by 40% |
| Three Star Export House | USD 50 Million | USD 100 Million | Reduced by 50% |
| Four Star Export House | USD 200 Million | USD 500 Million | Reduced by 60% |
| Five Star Export House | USD 800 Million | USD 2,000 Million | Reduced by 60% |
Double Weightage Benefit for One Star Export House
Under Para 1.26 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the government provides double weightage to specific categories of exporters. For qualifying entities, every 1 US Dollar of realised FOB export turnover is counted as 2 US Dollars toward achieving the One Star Export House threshold of USD 3 Million.
Double weightage applies to:
- Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs): Manufacturing or service units holding a valid Udyam Registration Certificate under the MSMED Act 2006.
- Certified Manufacturing Units: Units holding valid ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality certifications.
- Geographical Locations: Manufacturing units physically situated in the North Eastern States, Sikkim and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Women Entrepreneurs: Commercial business enterprises owned and operated by women as sole proprietors, managing partners or majority directors.
Crucial regulatory restriction: Double weightage is permissible strictly for the One Star Export House tier. Exporters cannot use double weightage to qualify for Two Star, Three Star, Four Star or Five Star Export House recognition.
Statutory Privileges Granted to Status Holders
Acquiring Status Holder recognition delivers tangible commercial benefits codified across Foreign Trade Policy and customs regulations:
1. Self-Certification of Origin
Status Holders self-certify origin of goods under FTAs (India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA). Issue origin declarations directly on commercial invoices, bypassing agency delays and fees.
2. 100% Bank Guarantee Exemption
Under Para 2.29 of HBP, Status Holders are 100% exempt from executing bank guarantees for Advance Authorisation and EPCG schemes. Exporters submit plain LUTs, preserving banking credit lines.
3. Fast-Track Norms Fixation
When applying for ad-hoc input-output norms under Para 4.07 of HBP, the DGFT Norms Committee prioritizes Status Holder files for expedited fixation within 60 calendar days.
4. Green Channel Customs Clearance
Status Holder consignments are cleared via Green Channel facilitation at seaports and air cargo terminals, with minimal routine documentary examination and physical cargo inspection.
5. Trade Promotion & Booth Priority
Export Promotion Councils and ITPO provide preferential booth space allotment, VIP buyer-seller meet access and subsidized participation in overseas trade delegations to Status Holders.
Ready to upgrade your enterprise to Star Export House status?
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Documents Required for Status Holder Application
Applications are submitted electronically through the DGFT Common Digital Platform. The following records must be verified before submission:
| Document | What the Authority Verifies | The Mismatch That Causes Rejection |
|---|
| e-BRC Export Statement | FOB value realization in foreign currency mapped across four qualifying financial years | Shipping bills where bank realization is pending or e-BRC has not been electronically generated by the bank |
| Chartered Accountant Turnover Certificate (Format Annexure 1 to ANF 1B) | Audited financial reconciliation of FOB exports, exchange rates and eligible double weightage criteria | Certificate missing UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number) or miscalculating conversion exchange rates |
| Udyam MSME Certificate / ISO Certification | Valid registration proof establishing eligibility for double weightage on One Star applications | Expired ISO certificate or Udyam certificate where the major manufacturing activity does not match export products |
| Valid RCMC from Notified Council | Active membership certificate with Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board for primary product group | Expired RCMC certificate or mismatch between the entity constitution on the RCMC and the IEC profile |
| Class 3 Organizational DSC | Cryptographic authentication by designated authorized signatory on the DGFT portal | DSC registered in individual personal capacity rather than organizational role linked to the firm IEC |
How to Apply for a Status Holder Certificate, Stage by Stage
The DGFT platform provides system-based automated issuance under Trade Notice No. 28/2023-24. Following structured procedures ensures rapid approval:
1
Stage 1: e-BRC Reconciliation and Performance Audit
Log into the DGFT portal and access the e-BRC module. Extract all electronic bank realization certificates for the current financial year and the three preceding financial years. Ensure all realized foreign currency proceeds are linked to valid shipping bills. Convert non-USD foreign currency receipts into US Dollars using official CBIC exchange rates applicable on the date of shipment.
2
Stage 2: Preparation of CA Certificate & Weightage Documentation
Engage a practicing Chartered Accountant to audit the export ledger and issue Annexure 1 to Form ANF 1B with a mandatory UDIN. If claiming double weightage for One Star status, assemble valid Udyam registration certificates, ISO audit certificates or women entrepreneur ownership proofs.
3
Stage 3: Filing Form ANF 1B on dgft.gov.in
Navigate to dgft.gov.in and log in with your Class 3 DSC. Go to ‘Services’ -> ‘Status Holder’ -> ‘Apply for Status Holder Certificate’. The portal automatically fetches verified shipping bills and e-BRC data linked to your IEC. Verify the populated turnover, input CA certification details, attach supporting eligibility proofs and digitally sign the application. There is zero government application fee for Status Holder certification.
4
Stage 4: Automated Issuance & Customs Port Mapping
Under the automated issuance engine, applications with fully validated e-BRC data generate the Status Holder Certificate electronically within 24 hours. Once issued, the certificate transmits automatically to ICEGATE, enabling immediate bank guarantee exemptions and self-certification privileges at all Indian customs ports.
Where Status Holder Applications Go Wrong
While the application is automated, data discrepancies between bank and customs systems cause immediate rejection or audit scrutiny:
| Operational Failure | What You See on Portal / Customs | What Actually Broke |
|---|
| e-BRC Data Mismatch | “Realized export turnover insufficient to meet threshold” | Bank generated e-BRC with clerical discrepancies in shipping bill numbers or port codes, preventing automated ingestion. |
| Misapplied Double Weightage | Rejection letter issued by Regional Authority on Two Star application | Applicant attempted to use MSME double weightage to achieve the Two Star threshold (USD 15M), which is strictly barred by policy. |
| Third-Party Export Rejection | Deduction of claimed turnover during post-issuance scrutiny | Shipping bills filed by a merchant exporter did not carry the applicant’s name as supporting manufacturer, violating Para 1.25(b) of FTP 2023. |
| Exchange Rate Distortion | “Turnover falls short of USD 3 Million threshold” | CA turnover certificate converted rupee values using annual average exchange rates rather than CBIC customs exchange rates on the date of shipment. |
| Unmapped IEC Modification | Earlier financial year shipping bills missing from DGFT repository | Firm modified its IEC or entity status without synchronizing past export history between ICEGATE and the new DGFT profile. |
What the Status Holder Certificate Will Not Do
Exporters must maintain realistic expectations regarding the scope of accreditation:
- A Status Holder Certificate does not provide cash grants or direct subsidies: The certificate provides procedural facilitations, customs waivers and regulatory exemptions. It does not disburse direct cash incentives.
- A Status Holder Certificate does not exempt your products from mandatory quality standards: All exports and imports remain subject to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), FSSAI and overseas regulatory compliances.
- A Status Holder Certificate cannot be used to waive port storage or demurrage charges: Priority green channel clearance reduces port dwell times, but commercial storage and shipping line container detention charges remain binding.
Related DGFT Licensing & Incentive Services
Explore our integrated compliance advisory services to keep your export-import enterprise fully compliant and operationally efficient:
Capital MachineryZero customs duty import of capital machinery with 100% bank guarantee exemption for accredited Star Export Houses under Para 2.29 of HBP.
Read EPCG Guide
Duty ExemptionDuty-free import of raw materials and inputs with bank guarantee exemption and 60-day expedited SION norms fixation for Status Holders.
Explore Advance Authorisation
Statutory RegistrationTen-digit Importer Exporter Code issuance, PAN alignment, mandatory annual renewals and portal de-activation recovery.
View IEC Details
Council RegistrationRegistration Cum Membership Certificate filings with Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards to maintain valid status recognition.
Explore RCMC Details
AuthenticationDGFT-compliant cryptographic USB hardware tokens for secure electronic signing of Status Holder applications and origin declarations.
View DSC Details
Customs Port IntegrationElectronic bank AD code registration and IFSC mapping across ICEGATE customs EDI locations for direct export proceeds tracking.
Read AD Code Guide
Have more questions?Visit our complete EXIM & DGFT Knowledge Base with 50+ answers about Foreign Trade Policy, export schemes, customs and more. Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Star Export House Certificate?
A Star Export House Certificate, officially called a Status Holder Certificate, is an accreditation granted by DGFT under Chapter 1 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023 to exporters who cross specified cumulative export thresholds in US Dollars over a four-year period.
What are the export thresholds for Status Holder tiers in 2026?
The cumulative FOB export thresholds under FTP 2023 are: One Star Export House requires USD 3 Million; Two Star requires USD 15 Million; Three Star requires USD 50 Million; Four Star requires USD 200 Million; and Five Star requires USD 800 Million.
How does the double weightage benefit work for MSMEs?
Under Para 1.26 of FTP 2023, Micro and Small Enterprises holding valid Udyam certificates, ISO-certified manufacturing units and women entrepreneurs receive double weightage. Every 1 US Dollar of realized exports is counted as 2 US Dollars toward achieving the One Star Export House threshold of USD 3 Million.
Can double weightage be used to qualify for Two Star Export House?
No. Foreign Trade Policy 2023 explicitly restricts the double weightage provision to the One Star Export House category only. It cannot be utilized to claim Two Star, Three Star, Four Star or Five Star Export House recognition.
What is the validity period of a Status Holder Certificate?
A Status Holder Certificate is valid for five financial years from the date of issuance, subject to continuous maintenance of the active IEC, RCMC and statutory compliance requirements.
What are the primary operational benefits of being a Status Holder?
The primary benefits include self-certification of Certificates of Origin under Free Trade Agreements, 100% exemption from executing Bank Guarantees under Advance Authorisation and EPCG schemes, priority green channel customs clearance and fast-track SION norms fixation within 60 days.
How is export performance calculated for Status Holder qualification?
Performance is calculated based on cumulative realized Free On Board (FOB) export value in US Dollars during the current financial year plus the preceding three financial years. Realization must be verified through electronic bank realization certificates (e-BRCs) in the DGFT repository.
Do service exports count toward Star Export House qualification?
Yes. Service exports reported through foreign exchange remittances and certified by Chartered Accountants count toward Status Holder qualification, enabling software, engineering and professional service exporters to attain status recognition.
Can a merchant exporter qualify for Star Export House status?
Yes. Merchant exporters can qualify based on physical export shipments where their name appears as the exporter on the customs shipping bills and export proceeds are realized directly into their bank current accounts.
How is the Status Holder application submitted on the DGFT portal?
Applications are submitted online through dgft.gov.in by filing Form ANF 1B. The DGFT platform automatically ingests verified shipping bills and e-BRC data, generating the electronic certificate with zero government application fees.
How Rasp International Handles Status Holder Certification
Rasp International is an ISO 9001:2015 certified trade advisory firm located at A-39, New Agra Colony, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282005. Built on a family trade legacy dating back to 2005, we have advised more than 500 exporters across India on DGFT recognition, export incentives, customs facilitation and trade finance.
Our trade desk reconciles multi-year e-BRC ledgers, validates eligible double weightage criteria, drafts CA certificates in compliance with DGFT formats and monitors automated portal processing to ensure instant certificate issuance and direct port registration.
Claim Your Star Export House Accreditation
Discover if your export performance qualifies for revised FTP 2023 thresholds or MSME double weightage. Our DGFT specialists deliver instant eligibility assessments with zero error.
Statutory Sources & Regulatory References
Disclaimer: This statutory guide is prepared for commercial strategy and trade compliance guidance based on official regulations published by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Exporters must verify current exchange rates and e-BRC data before filing for status accreditation.
Related Resources: DGFT Consultants & Licensing Services | EPCG Scheme Guide | Advance Authorisation Guide | IEC Registration & Compliance