What Is a Status Holder Certificate?
Status Holder Certificate (formerly known as Export House Certificate) is a recognition given by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to exporters who have achieved the required level of export performance as specified under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
In simple wordsThis certificate shows that an exporter has achieved the required level of export performance and has been recognised as a status holder.
Exporters of goods, services and technology who hold an IEC can apply for this recognition, subject to certain conditions and export performance requirements.
The recognition is divided into five Star categories — One Star to Five Star Export House. Depending on the level of eligible export performance, an exporter can be recognised as a One Star, Two Star, Three Star, Four Star or Five Star Export House.
The main purpose of this recognition is to identify successful exporters based on their export performance and to facilitate them in international trade. Status holders are given various benefits and facilities prescribed under FTP 2023.
Who Can Apply, and How Eligibility Is Measured
Not all exporters get status holder recognition. Under FTP 2023, eligibility depends on the exporter's IEC status, the type of exports and the required export performance level.
Who can apply?
All exporters of goods, services and technology holding an Import Export Code (IEC) number on the date of application are eligible for recognition as a status holder, based on the required export performance. This certification is relevant for:
- Regular exporters of goods
- Service exporters
- Manufacturer-exporters
- Export-oriented businesses seeking trade facilitation benefits
- Businesses with significant export turnover
- Exporters looking to access applicable Status Holder benefits under FTP 2023
How is eligibility measured?
The applicant should achieve the required export performance in the current year and the preceding financial years:
Current year + preceding 3 financial years
Current year + preceding 2 financial years
The Five Levels of Star Export House Recognition
Exporters are classified into export house categories based on their export performance.
Eligible exporters should confirm which category they fit before applying.
What exports are considered?
The status holder framework covers not only physical exports but also deemed exports and eligible supplies involving:
This makes it easier for applicants to become eligible for the recognition.
Double weightage for One Star Export House
Some eligible exporters get double weightage — their exports are counted twice while calculating export performance for One Star Export House status. It applies only to One Star status, and is available to:
- Micro and small enterprises
- Manufacturing units with ISO / BIS certification
- Units situated in the North-Eastern states, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
- Exporters of fruits and vegetables covered under Chapters 7 and 8 of ITC (HS)
What Counts, and How DGFT Calculates It
Once an exporter meets the eligibility requirements, the next consideration is how DGFT calculates export performance for status holder recognition.
- Export of goods
Calculated on the FOB (free on board) value of exports realised in freely convertible foreign currency, or in Indian rupees as allowed under FTP 2023.
- Export of services
Service exports are also covered. ANF-1B provides the framework for calculating export performance for services.
- Deemed exports
The FOR value in Indian rupees is converted into US dollars using the CBIC-notified exchange rate applicable on 1 April of the related financial year.
- Other currencies
If export proceeds are received in currencies other than USD, such as EURO or INR, they are converted into USD using the customs-notified exchange rate.
- What is included?
Counted: exports made under other authorisations, including SCOMET items.
Not counted: re-exports.
What to Keep Ready Before You Apply
The status holder certificate application is completely electronic and paperless. Still, you should keep some information and documents ready — your IEC profile, export performance details, supporting documents and the certificates required under the Policy.
IEC profile
An active Import Export Code. DGFT uses the information available in your IEC.
Export-performance information
Details of goods exported, services exported, deemed exports, double-weightage exports and other details for the required financial years — along with the top five HS lines and top five service categories.
Documents and certificates
The following are required where applicable:
- CA / Cost Accountant / CS Certificate with UDINRequired
- AFormat ACertificate of foreign exchange earned by supply of services
- BFormat BCertificate of exports where double weightage is claimed — for One Star applications claiming double weightage
- CFormat CCertificate of FOR value of deemed exports, where deemed exports are claimed
- DFormat DDetails of receipts under Para 2.53, where applicable
- EFormat EDetails of eligible exports from SEZs / EOUs / EHTPs / STPs / BTPs, where applicable
- Earlier Status Holder CertificateIf any
Supporting records
Your export figures should match the supporting records:
- Export orders
- Shipping bills
- Bills of lading
- Invoices
- FIRCs
- e-BRCs
- Books of account
Special claims
If you are claiming double weightage, deemed exports or SEZ / EOU-related exports, the related information may also have to be provided.
Application Process for a Status Holder Certificate
The application is made only through the DGFT portal. Before starting, the applicant should have a DGFT login, an active IEC, export performance data and the required supporting documents.
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Log in to the DGFT portal
Log in to the DGFT portal with your username and password. If you are a new user of the DGFT portal, register first and then log in.
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Start the Status Holder application
Go to the Status Holder Certificate section, then select Start Fresh Application or continue with an existing application.
- Services
- Certificate Management
- Status Holder Certificate
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Enter applicant and export details
Applicant details come in automatically from your IEC. Provide the other details required, select your export sector, and enter the related export performance information.
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Select the Status Holder category
Select the export house category that applies to you based on your export performance. A One Star applicant can also claim the prescribed double-weightage benefit.
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Provide other required details
Provide all the other information the application asks for.
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Upload supporting documents
Upload the CA / CMA / CS certificate and the other supporting documents. The certificate is mandatory.
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Declaration and submission
Review the whole application and check that the figures are accurate. Then accept the declaration and complete the Aadhaar e-sign before submitting.
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Track the application
An application number is generated on submission. Track it from your dashboard.
- View My Dashboard
- Submitted Application
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Respond to any deficiency
If DGFT issues a deficiency letter, view it and reply within the time allowed, with the corrections and any additional information or documents needed.
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Download the certificate
Once approved, the Status Holder Certificate can be viewed and printed from the DGFT portal.
- Login
- Start application
- Enter / verify details
- Select Star category
- Upload documents
- Sign & submit
- Track
- Respond to deficiency, if any
- Download certificate
Star Export House Benefits Under FTP 2023
A status holder certificate gives exporters various facilities that make international trade easier.
Self-Declaration Facility
Status holders can obtain some authorisations and customs clearances on the basis of self-declaration, subject to prescribed requirements.
Priority for Input-Output Norms
Where no standard input-output norms exist, status holders can apply for fixation of norms, which is allowed by the Norms Committee.
Bank Guarantee Exemption
Status holders are generally exempted from furnishing bank guarantees under certain FTP schemes, subject to applicable conditions.
Exemption from Compulsory Bank Negotiation
Status holders are exempt from compulsory negotiation of documents through banks, subject to the applicable provisions.
Export Warehouse Facility Two Star & above
Two Star and above Export Houses can establish Export Warehouses, subject to the conditions set by the Department of Revenue.
Priority and Preferential Treatment
Status holders receive the highest priority in the handling of consignments by the concerned agencies, wherever provided.
Self-Certification of Origin Three Star & above
Three, Four and Five Star manufacturer-exporters can self-certify the origin of their manufactured goods to claim preferential treatment under applicable trade agreements, subject to the required conditions.
Free-of-Cost Exports for Promotion
Status holders can export eligible, freely exportable items free of cost, subject to the requirements under FTP.
Not a Lifetime Certificate
A status holder certificate has a validity period. When it expires, or when you need a higher level of certification, you apply for a fresh one.
- Validity of the certificate
- A status holder certificate issued under FTP is valid for 5 years from the date of application.
- Upgradation to a higher Star category
- If you achieve higher export performance and want a higher category, you can apply for upgradation. You must surrender the existing certificate and apply for a fresh certificate as per your export performance.
- Can the validity be extended?
- No. The validity cannot be extended. After expiry, the exporter needs to make a fresh application.
After the Certificate Is Issued
Getting a status holder certificate is not the end of the process. After it is issued, the exporter must maintain proper records of export performance.
- Maintain proper accounts of the imports and exports used to obtain the recognition. These records should match what you gave in the application.
- Keep records for 2 years from the date of grant of the status holder certificate.
- Provide training in international trade each year.
- If the conditions or other prescribed requirements are not followed consistently, the certificate can be refused, suspended or cancelled as provided under FTP.
