Gain global credibility and exclusive customs privileges. We help high-performing exporters obtain the Status Holder Certificate from DGFT.
Determine your Star Export House category.
The Status Holder certificate is a recognition granted by the Government of India to exporters who have demonstrated leadership in international trade and have contributed to the country's foreign exchange earnings.
[Image of Star Export House Logo]It is not just a badge of honor; it is a practical tool for ease of doing business. Exporters are categorized from One Star to Five Star based on their export performance (FOB value) over the current and previous three financial years.
Based on FOB Value in US Dollars (Million).
| Status Category | Export Performance | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
MSME units, ISO certified units, and Agri/Fruit/Veg exporters get Double Weightage. Exporting $1.5 Million qualifies for One Star (1.5 × 2 = 3 Million).
Exemption from furnishing Bank Guarantee (BG) for schemes like Advance Authorisation and EPCG. Only a simple LUT is required.
Authority to self-certify the non-preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO). No need to visit agencies for every shipment.
Preferential treatment and faster clearance at Customs. Often treated as AEO-T1 equivalent for certain facilitations.
Permission to establish Export Warehouses as per Department of Revenue guidelines.
Compile export data (e-BRCs) for the current and last 3 financial years.
Apply double weightage for MSME / ISO eligible exports to meet threshold.
Submit online application on DGFT portal with CA Certificate.
DGFT issues the Status Holder Certificate electronically. Valid for 5 years.
Full Service
Based on Category (1-5 Star)
Reaching $3 Million is only half the battle. Proving it to the DGFT's automated system is where the errors happen.
If you are an MSME, a Manufacturing unit with ISO/BIS, or located in the North East, your exports count as 2x for the 1-Star Status.CloudDesk’sWeightage Calculator automatically identifies these "Bonus Points," helping you achieve 1-Star Status with just $1.5 Million in actual exports instead of $3 Million.
The DGFT portal auto-populates data from your Shipping Bills, but it often misses Service Exports or Deemed Exports.CloudDesk performs a Manual vs. System Audit to ensure every dollar of your foreign exchange is counted, preventing you from missing a star category by a few thousand dollars.
The biggest benefit of Star Status is the 100% exemption from Bank Guarantees for DGFT schemes (EPCG, Advance Auth).CloudDesk’s dashboard links your Status Certificate directly to your license applications, ensuring the "BG Waiver" is applied automatically so your capital stays in your bank, not blocked in a FD.
For 3-Star Houses and above, you can self-certify your Certificate of Origin. CloudDesk provides the digital template and compliance log for this, allowing you to ship goods without waiting for a Chamber of Commerce stamp.
"• One Star: US$ 3 Million • Two Star: US$ 15 Million • Three Star: US$ 50 Million • Four Star: US$ 200 Million • Five Star: US$ 800 Million"
No. You must show performance in at least 2 out of the last 4 years (including the current year). CloudDesk helps you pick the "Best 2 Years" to maximize your chances.
No. Double weightage (counting $1 as $2) is strictly for achieving the One Star status. For Two Star and above, only actual FOB value is counted.
Normally, for schemes like EPCG, you must give the government a Bank Guarantee (100% of the duty saved). Status Holders are exempted 100% from this requirement (unless specifically flagged as a risk), saving you lakhs in bank commissions and blocked margins.
Two Star Houses and above are permitted to establish export warehouses as per Dept. of Revenue guidelines. This is a game-changer for managing global supply chains.
In 2026, Status Holders are expected to mentor new entrepreneurs. A 2-Star House must train 5 candidates annually, while a 5-Star House must train 50. CloudDesk helps you document this training to ensure your status remains valid during renewal.
It is valid for 5 years or until the end of the current Foreign Trade Policy, whichever is earlier. CloudDesk monitors the "Policy Sunset" dates so you don't lose your status during a policy transition.
(1) Defaulting on an Export Obligation (EPCG/Advance Auth), (2) Mis-declaration of export values, (3) Fraudulent CA certificates. CloudDesk’s Audit Log keeps your records clean so you never face a "Show Cause Notice."