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Star Export House Certificate: Your Definitive Guide to Unlocking Export Growth

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India’s exporters now operate in a far more competitive global market. Whether you sell software subscriptions, design services, or physical goods, overseas buyers expect consistency, credibility, and regulatory discipline. To support this shift, the Government of India continues to strengthen export-focused policies through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

One such recognition is the Star Export House Certificate, granted to exporters who demonstrate strong and sustained foreign trade performance. It signals that your business meets defined export benchmarks and follows India’s trade framework.

For you, this certification goes beyond a title. The Star Export House Certificate strengthens your standing with global clients, improves access to government schemes and trade facilitation measures, and positions you as a reliable exporter in international markets. This guide explains why it matters, who qualifies for it, and how it can support long-term export growth.

Key Takeaways

  • The Star Export House Certificate recognises consistent export performance and strengthens your credibility with global buyers, banks, and regulators.
  • Eligibility depends on a valid IEC, sustained export turnover, and meeting DGFT performance criteria over defined financial years.
  • Maintaining your status requires tracking the five-year validity period and renewing on time by meeting updated export thresholds and compliance norms.
  • Exporters who track performance data, documentation, and deadlines proactively are better placed to retain status and scale confidently in global markets.

What Is a Star Export House Certificate?

A Star Export House Certificate, also known as Status Holder certification, is a formal recognition issued by the DGFT under India’s Foreign Trade Policy.

Why it matters

  1. It recognises exporters who contribute to India’s foreign trade through sustained export earnings
  2. It acts as an incentive framework, encouraging businesses to expand exports and improve global competitiveness
  3. It serves as a credibility marker, helping you build trust with overseas buyers, banks, and trade partners while unlocking access to select trade facilitation benefits

Who Qualifies? Understanding Star Export House Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a Star Export House Certificate, you must meet export and compliance benchmarks set by the DGFT. The focus is on proven export performance rather than business size or sector.

Key eligibility conditions include

  1. Valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC): You must hold an active IEC issued by the DGFT
  2. Minimum export performance: You must achieve prescribed export turnover thresholds, which differ by star category
  3. Export performance measurement
    a. Physical exports are calculated using the FOB value realised in foreign exchange
    b. Deemed exports are calculated using the FOR value, converted into USD
  4. Assessment period
    a. Typically the current financial year plus the previous three financial years
    b. For gems and jewellery, the window is typically the current financial year plus the previous two financial years
  5. Consistency matters: Performance must be achieved for a minimum number of years within the assessment period, not as a one-off spike

What Is Double Weightage and Who Is Eligible for It?

Double weightage is an incentive that helps certain exporters qualify faster for the One Star Export House category. Eligible exporters can count export performance at twice its actual value for eligibility purposes.

Double weightage applies to

  1. MSMEs classified under the MSMED Act, 2006
  2. Manufacturing units with valid ISO or BIS certification
  3. Units located in North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir, and Agri Export Zones
  4. Exports of notified agricultural and village industry products

This benefit is limited to the One Star Export House level and does not extend to higher star categories.

Star Export House Categories: Tiers and Export Performance Thresholds

The Star Export House categories follow a five-tier structure, recognising exporters based on export performance. Each higher tier reflects stronger export credentials and unlocks broader trade facilitation and regulatory privileges.

Star categories and export thresholds

One Star Export House: USD 3 million
Two Star Export House: USD 15 million
Three Star Export House: USD 50 million
Four Star Export House: USD 200 million
Five Star Export House: USD 800 million

What Are the Strategic Benefits and Privileges of Star Export House Status?

Star Export House status offers advantages that improve efficiency, reduce compliance friction, and strengthen global competitiveness.

How Does It Simplify Customs and Trade Procedures?

  1. Priority customs clearance for imports and exports based on self-declaration
  2. Exemption from furnishing bank guarantees under specified export promotion schemes
  3. Faster finalisation of Standard Input Output Norms by the Norms Committee
  4. No compulsory requirement to route export documents through banks, improving turnaround time

What Financial and Operational Advantages Does It Offer?

  1. Ability to set up export warehouses if you hold Two Star status or above
  2. Preferential handling by customs and other trade authorities
  3. Ability to undertake limited free-of-cost exports for promotion within prescribed value limits

How Does It Enhance Credibility and Market Access?

  1. Enhances brand image and international credibility, especially in regulated markets
  2. If you are a manufacturer exporter with Three Star status or above, you can self-certify Certificates of Origin under applicable Free Trade Agreements, improving speed and buyer confidence

How to Obtain Your Star Export House Certificate: The Application Process

Preparing your application: Key documents required

Before starting the online application, keep all documents ready in digital format. Incomplete or inconsistent records are common reasons for rejection.

  1. Valid IEC and Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC)
  2. Certificate of exports in prescribed formats, where double weightage has been claimed, along with supporting proof where relevant
  3. Certificate of foreign exchange earned from supply of services
  4. Certificate confirming FOR value for deemed exports
  5. Export records related to SEZs, EOUs, EHTPs, STPs, or BTPs, if applicable
  6. Annexure to ANF 3C and other required declarations and undertakings

Navigating the DGFT online portal for submission

  1. Log in to the DGFT portal using your Digital Signature Certificate or Aadhaar-based e-Sign
  2. Go to Services, then Exporter Services, then Apply for Status Holder Certificate
  3. Fill in the ANF 3C form with accurate business details and export performance data
  4. Upload all self-certified supporting documents in the specified format
  5. Review the declaration, digitally sign the application, and proceed
  6. Submit the form and note the file number for tracking

Accuracy at this stage matters because the system relies heavily on validation.

Tracking your application and printing the certificate

  1. Log in to the DGFT portal
  2. Go to My Dashboard and then Submitted Applications
  3. Select Certificate Management under Type of Scheme
  4. Select Status Holder Certificate under Type of Sub Scheme
  5. Click Search to view your application status
  6. Once approved, download and print the certificate using Certificate Management and Print Status Certificate

Maintaining Your Status: Validity and Renewal Process

Once granted, the Star Export House Certificate remains valid for a defined period. Maintaining status requires timely renewal and ongoing compliance.

What you need to know

  1. Validity period is typically five years from the date of issuance, or until the validity of the Foreign Trade Policy, whichever is earlier
  2. Track expiry and begin renewal well in advance to avoid a lapse in status
  3. Conditions for renewal
    a. Your IEC and RCMC must remain valid at renewal
    b. You must meet export performance thresholds for your category
    c. Export performance is reassessed based on the last five financial years

Steps for renewing your Star Export House Certificate

  1. Log in to the DGFT portal using your DSC
  2. Go to the status certificate renewal section
  3. Complete the updated ANF 3C with current export figures supported by CA-certified statements
  4. Upload required supporting documents
  5. Pay the renewal fee online and submit the application

Start the process 30 to 60 days before expiry to avoid last-minute issues.

Pro Tip: Set calendar alerts and keep your export performance data updated each quarter. This reduces last-minute errors and makes renewal faster.

How Razorpay MoneySaver Export Account Simplifies Global Payments for Star Exporters

As export volumes grow and overseas customers diversify, you need a payment setup that matches your scale, keeps costs under control, and stays compliant with Indian regulations.

Razorpay MoneySaver Export Account helps by offering:

  1. Global reach with local simplicity: Accept international payments from 180 plus countries in 135 plus currencies
  2. Multiple payment options: Receive money through international bank transfers, global cards, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet
  3. Lower and transparent costs: Bank transfers can have fees as low as 1 percent, helping reduce forex and intermediary charges
  4. Faster, reliable collections: Optimised routing can improve success rates and reduce delays
  5. Unified dashboard: Track, reconcile, and manage foreign collections from one place

Simplify International Payments with Razorpay

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Explore Razorpay MoneySaver Export Account

Conclusion

The Star Export House Certificate helps Indian exporters compete with confidence in global markets. It recognises consistent export performance and translates that recognition into practical advantages, from smoother customs procedures to stronger acceptance among overseas buyers and partners.

With a streamlined framework under FTP 2023 and wider use of digital systems, obtaining and using this status has become simpler. When combined with reliable banking and payment tools, the certification helps you focus less on process and more on scaling export operations. For businesses planning long-term growth, this status supports consistent progress and sustained success in international markets.

FAQs

1. What is a Star Export House Certificate?

It is a recognition issued by the DGFT to Indian exporters with strong export performance, classified from One Star to Five Star based on turnover.

2. What are the export performance thresholds for a One Star Export House Certificate?

You generally need export performance of around USD 3 million in FOB or FOR value over the relevant financial years, as prescribed under the Foreign Trade Policy.

3. What are the main benefits of holding a Star Export House Certificate?

It offers procedural relaxations, exemption from certain bank guarantees, priority handling by agencies, and self-certification of origin for eligible exporters.

4. Is the application for a Star Export House Certificate fully automated now?

Automatic certificates are issued only to eligible merchandise exporters based on DGCI and S data. Service exporters, deemed exports, double weightage claims, and status upgrades still require an online application through the DGFT portal.

5. How can I apply for a Star Export House Certificate online?

You can apply through the DGFT portal by logging in with a DSC, completing the ANF 3C form, uploading documents, and submitting the application digitally.

6. What is double weightage for the Star Export House status?

It allows eligible exporters, such as certain MSMEs or units in specified regions, to count their export performance twice to meet the One Star threshold sooner.

7. How long is a Star Export House Certificate valid?

The certificate is usually valid for five years from the date of issue or until the validity of the Foreign Trade Policy, whichever is earlier.

Author

Chidananda Vasudeva S is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Razorpay, where he leads Razorpay’s cross-border payments vertical. He plays a key role in positioning and scaling solutions that simplify international payments for Indian businesses, enabling seamless global expansion. A graduate of the Indian School of Business (Class of 2021), Chidananda brings a unique blend of analytical acumen and storytelling to the fintech space. Prior to Razorpay, he spent over nine years as a sports journalist with The Hindu, where he covered major ICC tournaments and led the Bangalore sports bureau. This diverse experience helps him bridge customer insight with product strategy in high-growth tech environments.

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