DGFT Relaxes One Star Export House Eligibility

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has simplified the eligibility requirement for obtaining One Star Export House Status.

Through Notification No. 33/2026-27 dated 21 August 2026, DGFT has amended Para 1.25(d) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 with immediate effect.

· What Has Changed?

Earlier, exporters generally needed export performance in all three preceding financial years to obtain Status Holder recognition.

Now, exporters can qualify for One Star Export House Status if they have export performance in any two out of the preceding three financial years.

This relaxation does not apply to the Gems & Jewellery Sector.

Alternative Text: Infographic comparing earlier and revised One Star Export House criteria: export performance was previously required in all three preceding financial years, but is now required in any two of the preceding three years. The change does not apply to the Gems and Jewellery sector.

· Simple Example

An exporter has the following record:

2023-24: Exports made
2024-25: No exports
2025-26: Exports made

The exporter may now qualify because export performance is available in two of the three preceding financial years.

Example showing exports made in 2023–24 and 2025–26, with no exports in 2024–25. The exporter may now qualify for One Star Export House status because export performance exists in two of the preceding three financial years.

· Important Conditions

The amendment does not provide automatic approval. Exporters must still:

Meet the prescribed export-performance threshold
Comply with all conditions under Para 1.25 of FTP 2023
Maintain correct Shipping Bills, invoices and e-BRCs
Submit the prescribed application and supporting documents

Infographic explaining that One Star Export House status is not automatically approved. Exporters must meet the prescribed export-performance threshold, comply with Para 1.25 of FTP 2023, maintain correct shipping bills, invoices and e-BRCs, and submit the prescribed application with supporting documents.

· Key Takeaway

The revised rule provides greater flexibility to genuine exporters who had no export performance during one of the previous three financial years.

Eligible exporters can now apply for One Star Export House Status based on export performance in any two of those three years, subject to all other DGFT conditions.