What is the Status Holder / Export House Certificate
The Export House Certificate, officially called the Status Holder Certificate, is a DGFT recognition granted to exporters who cross specified cumulative Free On Board export thresholds. Issued under Chapter 1 of the Handbook of Procedures aligned with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the certificate is effectively India’s official recognition of your stature as an exporter. It unlocks priority customs clearance, self certification of origin, exemption from bank guarantees for Advance Authorisation and EPCG, and materially enhances credibility with international buyers and lenders.
Status recognition is not ornamental. Every benefit translates into measurable cost savings or cycle time reductions. Self certification of origin alone saves several days per shipment. Bank guarantee exemption on an EPCG Authorisation worth Rs 5 crore saves roughly 1 to 2 percent of the authorisation value in BG commission. Priority customs clearance cuts port dwell time by days on time sensitive shipments. For exporters running high volumes, Status Holder recognition shifts the unit economics of every transaction.
The five Status Holder tiers under FTP 2023
Status tiers are defined by cumulative FOB export performance. The threshold is calculated on cumulative exports over the current financial year plus the three preceding financial years. All merchandise exports count. Service exports also contribute with applicable weightages. Exports to countries designated as difficult markets receive enhanced credit.
One Star Export House
Threshold: Rs 25 crore cumulative FOB exports over four financial years. Entry level recognition. Most serious mid sized exporters qualify here first.
Two Star Export House
Threshold: Rs 100 crore cumulative FOB. Unlocks a broader set of benefits including higher input-output norms fixation priority.
Three Star Export House
Threshold: Rs 500 crore cumulative FOB. Strategic importer partner status with enhanced customs facilitation.
Four Star Export House
Threshold: Rs 2,000 crore cumulative FOB. Reserved for large organised exporters operating across multiple product lines and geographies.
Five Star Export House
Threshold: Rs 5,000 crore cumulative FOB. The apex tier. Currently held by a limited number of Indian exporters. Benefits include highest priority across all DGFT facilitations.
The star rating is valid for five years from the date of issue. Revalidation requires continued performance at or above the threshold for the relevant tier. You can upgrade at any time during the validity period by filing an application with updated export performance.
Benefits that justify the application effort
Self certification of origin
Status Holders can self certify the origin of their exports for preferential trade agreements. You skip the Export Promotion Council or Chamber of Commerce route for Certificates of Origin on FTA shipments. For exporters shipping regularly to UAE under CEPA, UK under the new India UK trade deal, or other preferential markets, self certification saves two to three days per shipment and eliminates external fees.
Priority customs clearance
Status Holder shipments receive reduced examination at ports. Customs treats these as known consignments with established compliance history. Port dwell time can drop by 48 to 72 hours, which matters for perishable, fashion, and time critical cargo.
Bank Guarantee exemption
Standard Advance Authorisation and EPCG schemes require Bank Guarantees backing the Legal Undertaking. Status Holders are exempt from this requirement. On a large EPCG authorisation, that is a direct bottom line saving in BG commission and frees up banking limits for working capital.
Input-Output Norms fixation within 60 days
When you need SION fixation for a new product or input combination, Status Holders get priority handling. Standard processing can take months. Status Holders typically see resolution within 60 days.
Enhanced export credit terms
Indian banks and export finance providers offer preferential pre shipment and post shipment credit terms to Status Holders. Interest spreads are typically 50 to 100 basis points lower than standard rates. Higher credit limits get approved more easily.
Credibility with international buyers
The Status Holder designation signals serious compliance posture and sustained performance to overseas buyers and banks. Letters of credit, documentary collections, and buyer trade insurance approvals move faster. On large tenders and institutional contracts, the Status Holder tag is often a qualifying criterion.
Recognition at EPCs and export promotion events
Export Promotion Councils give Status Holders preferential nomination for trade missions, international exhibitions, and buyer seller meets. This matters when government delegations are organised for markets like Europe, Africa, or Latin America where pre qualified exporter lists open doors.
How export performance is calculated
Export performance for Status Holder qualification is verified through eBRC data on the DGFT portal. Shipping bills without realised bank proceeds do not count. All merchandise exports count at their declared FOB value. Service exports reported on the Form 1C filing on the DGFT portal also count, with applicable weightages. Deemed exports count under specific conditions, typically with project authority certification.
Enhanced credit applies in certain cases. Exports to countries notified as difficult markets (typically least developed and frontier markets) receive higher multipliers. Exports by MSME units get additional weightage in line with Ministry of MSME policy. Agricultural product exports have their own multipliers under the Agricultural Export Policy.
Double counting is not allowed. Exports counted for Status Holder qualification for one period cannot be reused for another period. Exports claimed by a subsidiary or group company cannot be aggregated to the parent unless there is a clear legal and equity control relationship.
Documents required for Status Holder application
- Valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) with DGFT
- eBRCs covering the qualifying four year period
- Self certified ITC HS code wise export statement summarising qualifying exports
- Income Tax returns for the relevant financial years
- GST registration certificate
- Chartered Accountant certificate on export performance and realisation
- Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate registered on the DGFT portal
- RCMC from the relevant Export Promotion Council
All documentation is filed electronically through ANF 3A on the DGFT e services portal. No physical submissions are required.
Step by step: how to apply for Status Holder recognition
1. Confirm cumulative FOB export performance
Pull your eBRC data for the current financial year plus three preceding financial years. Only realised exports count. Tally against the threshold for the tier you are applying for.
2. Reconcile DGFT data with internal records
Check that all your eBRCs are correctly mapped to your IEC on the DGFT system. Bank to DGFT data transmission issues are the single biggest cause of application rejection. Resolve any missing or mismatched bills before filing.
3. Prepare ITC HS wise export statement
Categorise exports by ITC HS code and realisation year. Many Status Holder applications fail because the shipping bill data on DGFT does not tie neatly to the summary statement filed.
4. Obtain Chartered Accountant certificate
Your CA issues a certificate confirming total qualifying exports by year and currency conversion methodology used. The certificate format is prescribed by DGFT.
5. File ANF 3A on DGFT portal
Log in to dgft.gov.in using your IEC credentials and Class 3 DSC. Navigate to Services, Status Holder, Apply. Upload supporting documents. Pay the prescribed application fee online.
6. Regional Authority review
The DGFT Regional Authority reviews the application. Expect a processing window of 10 to 30 working days for straightforward cases. Complex cases may see additional query rounds. Respond to deficiency letters promptly. Under current HBP 2023 procedures, deficiency letters must be issued consolidated rather than piecemeal.
7. Certificate issuance
On approval, the Status Holder Certificate is issued digitally. Download from your DGFT dashboard. Validity is five years from date of issue.
8. Communicate to partners
Update your overseas buyers, bankers, freight forwarders, and Customs House Agent about your Status Holder recognition. They need the certificate reference to extend the linked benefits.
Visit our complete EXIM & DGFT Knowledge Base with 50+ answers about Foreign Trade Policy, export schemes, customs, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do service exports count towards Status Holder thresholds?
Yes. Service exports reported on the Form 1C filing with DGFT are counted with applicable weightages. If you are a software exporter, consulting firm, or other service provider with foreign receipts, your service export value contributes to the threshold calculation.
Can a merchant exporter without manufacturing qualify?
Yes. Status Holder qualification is based on export performance, not manufacturing status. Merchant exporters with qualifying cumulative FOB performance can apply. The supporting manufacturer relationship must be documented where required.
What if my exports are under multiple IECs (group company structure)?
Each IEC is treated as a separate applicant. Status Holder recognition is IEC specific. To consolidate performance, you would need to merge operations under a single IEC, which is a larger restructuring decision.
How often must I renew the certificate?
The certificate is valid for five years from date of issue. Renewal requires a fresh ANF 3A application demonstrating continued performance at or above the relevant threshold for the current five year window.
Can I downgrade my tier voluntarily?
You do not downgrade. If your performance drops below a higher tier threshold at renewal, you qualify for whichever lower tier your cumulative exports still support. Benefits adjust accordingly.
Is there a difference between Export House and Status Holder Certificate?
They are the same thing. “Export House” is the informal trade term. “Status Holder Certificate” is the official DGFT designation under FTP 2023. The terms are used interchangeably in practice.
Can Status Holder recognition help me win large buyer contracts?
Frequently yes. Large overseas buyers, especially institutional buyers and retail chains, often require vendor qualification criteria that include export experience and government recognition. The Status Holder certificate functions as third party validation of your export track record.
Do I need Status Holder to claim RoDTEP or RoSCTL?
No. RoDTEP and RoSCTL are available to any exporter with a valid IEC and RCMC, regardless of Status Holder tier. Status Holder provides additional benefits on top of the standard incentive schemes.
How RASP International handles your Status Holder application
Pre application audit
We audit your eBRC data against DGFT records to identify mismatches, missing bills, or realisation gaps. Fixing these upfront is the single most important step in a successful application. We have seen rejections on Rs 200 crore plus applications purely because of Rs 50 lakh worth of unreconciled eBRCs.
ITC HS wise export statement preparation
We compile a complete shipping bill level statement organised by HS code and realisation year, reconciled to eBRC and GST returns. This is the document that makes or breaks the application.
CA certificate coordination
We work with your Chartered Accountant (or our network CAs) to prepare the performance certificate in the prescribed DGFT format.
ANF 3A filing and portal management
Complete online filing on your behalf through the DGFT portal, including document upload, fee payment, and digital signature. We track the application in real time and handle any query rounds with the Regional Authority.
Post issuance benefit activation
Once the certificate is issued, we guide you through activating each benefit: self certification of origin, BG exemption notification to RA for your EPCG and AA authorisations, preferential customs clearance registration, and priority norms fixation filings.
Ongoing performance tracking
Status Holder recognition is a rolling five year game. We help you maintain the performance levels needed for renewal and plan upgrades when the next higher tier comes within reach. Book a free Status Holder readiness assessment.
Authoritative sources and further reading
- Foreign Trade Policy 2023 full text
- DGFT e services portal
- PIB announcement on FTP 2023 launch
- IndBiz overview of FTP 2023
- FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations)
- Ministry of MSME
- RBI EDPMS (realisation tracking)
- ICEGATE portal
Related services on raspinternational.in
- IEC Registration
- RCMC Registration
- DGFT Licensing and Compliance
- EXIM Licences (EPCG, AA)
- Export Incentives Overview
- RoDTEP Scheme
- RoSCTL Scheme
- Certificate of Origin
- How to Claim EPCG in 2026