DGFT Enhances Star Export House Benefits — One Star to Five Star Exporters Get New Privileges

Star Export House Programme Revamped: New Benefits Across All Tiers

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified a significant enhancement to the Star Export House (SEH) programme under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Star Export Houses — companies recognised for their export performance across one-star to five-star tiers — will now receive expanded privileges designed to reduce compliance burden and reward consistent export growth.

Star Export House Tiers and Export Thresholds

• One Star: FOB export performance of USD 3 million or above in the current plus previous 3 licensing years
• Two Star: USD 25 million or above
• Three Star: USD 100 million or above
• Four Star: USD 500 million or above
• Five Star: USD 2 billion or above (Premier Trading House)

New and Enhanced Benefits

• Priority processing at DGFT: All SEH applications for AA, EPCG, IEC amendment, and LUT are processed on priority — target turnaround of 3 working days for One to Three Star, 24 hours for Four and Five Star.
• Extended AA/EPCG validity: SEH holders receive an automatic 12-month additional validity on Advance Authorisations and EPCG authorisations.
• Self-certification of origin: Two Star and above holders can self-certify Certificate of Origin (CoO) for non-preferential purposes, eliminating the need for Export Inspection Agency (EIA) certification.
• Government procurement preference: Three Star and above SEH holders receive preference in government procurement tenders under the Public Procurement Policy for exporters.
• AEO fast-track: Five Star Export Houses are automatically eligible for AEO-T2 certification without undergoing the standard site validation process.

Samarth EXIM assists exporters in applying for Star Export House recognition, ensuring accurate computation of FOB export performance, and leveraging all available SEH privileges.