Paragraphs 1 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Paragraphs 1.08 to 1.12 of the Handbook of Procedures are the procedure for status holder certification: how to apply, how long the certificate lasts, how to move to a higher category, what records to keep, when a certificate can be refused, suspended or cancelled, and where to appeal. This is a Handbook-only article: the Policy rule it implements, paragraphs 1.25 to 1.30, is explained in separate articles.
The procedure is taken from Chapter 1 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 as published on the DGFT website (file of July 2026), consulted on 2 October 2026. Later Public Notices and Trade Notices should be checked before you act. The Policy paragraphs it serves are explained in our articles on eligibility, categories and double weightage and on status holder privileges and skilling obligations. The Handbook is notified by the Director General of Foreign Trade under paragraph 1.03 of the Policy; see section 6 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. The Policy itself rests on section 5 of the Act.
The application is filed online in ANF 1B with the jurisdictional Regional Authority (paragraph 1.08). A new certificate is valid for 5 years from the date on which the application was filed (paragraph 1.09(b)). Records are kept for two years from the date of grant (paragraph 1.10). The Regional Authority may refuse, suspend or cancel on five grounds, after a reasonable opportunity (paragraph 1.11), and the aggrieved applicant may appeal to the DGFT within 45 days (paragraph 1.12).
Paragraph 1.08: application
Exporters file an application online for recognition of status under the Policy in ANF 1B, along with the prescribed documents (clause (a)). Neither ANF 1B nor Appendix 1A is reproduced here; they are named as the paragraph names them and the current forms are on the DGFT website.
The online application goes to the jurisdictional Regional Authority (RA). The paragraph decides jurisdiction by location: the registered office in the case of a company and the head office in the case of others, as per Appendix 1A (clause (b)). The paragraph prints no fee. If you need your registrations in order before applying, see our RCMC registration service.
Paragraph 1.09: validity of the status certificate
- Clause (a): any status certificate issued under the Policy of 2015-20 to an IEC holder remains valid only till 30.09.2023. That date has passed; the clause is spent and is mentioned only so that an old certificate is not read as current.
- Clause (b): certificates issued under this Policy are valid for a period of 5 years from the date on which the application for recognition was filed. The clock starts on the filing date, not on the date the certificate is issued.
- Clause (c): on achieving a higher status threshold under paragraph 1.26 of the Policy, a firm may, at its discretion, upgrade its category after surrendering the previous certificate and applying again as per paragraph 1.08.
Paragraph 1.10: accounts
Status holders must maintain true and proper accounts of the exports and imports on which the recognition was based. Records are to be maintained for two years from the date of grant of the status certificate, and made available for inspection to the concerned RA, or any authority authorised by the DGFT, as and when required. The heading of the paragraph mentions an annual export statement; the text prints no filing deadline for one.
Paragraph 1.11: refusal, suspension or cancellation
The concerned RA may refuse, suspend or cancel a status certificate if the status holder, or an authorised representative acting for it:
| Clause | Ground |
|---|---|
| (a) | fails to discharge an export obligation imposed |
| (b) | tampers with authorisations |
| (c) | misrepresents, or is a party to any corrupt or fraudulent practice in obtaining any authorisation |
| (d) | commits a breach of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, or the Rules and Orders made under it, or the Policy, the Customs Act 1962, the Central Excise Act 1944, the FEMA Act 1999, the COFEPOSA Act 1974, or the Central and State GST Acts |
| (e) | fails to furnish information required by the Directorate |
A reasonable opportunity is to be given to the status holder before any action under the paragraph. For the Act's own provision on issue, suspension and cancellation of an authorisation, see section 9 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. Paragraph 1.11 states its own grounds, as listed above.
Paragraph 1.12: appeal
An applicant not satisfied with a decision to suspend or cancel the status certificate may file an appeal to the DGFT within 45 days. The decision of the DGFT is "final and binding". Note that the paragraph speaks of suspension and cancellation; it does not mention an appeal against a refusal. The paragraph also does not say from which date the 45 days run. For the Act's separate appeal provision against adjudication orders, see section 15 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
A practical example
Granite Crest Exports, an invented company, files its application in ANF 1B on a certain date with the Regional Authority of the place of its registered office. Its certificate runs five years from that filing date (paragraph 1.09(b)), so the date of filing, not the date of the certificate, is what the CA should diarise. Two years later the firm crosses the next threshold in paragraph 1.26 and wants a higher category: under paragraph 1.09(c) it surrenders the earlier certificate and applies again. It keeps its export and import accounts for at least two years from the grant (paragraph 1.10). If the RA were to cancel the certificate on ground (a) for an unfulfilled export obligation, the firm would first be given a reasonable opportunity (paragraph 1.11), and could appeal to the DGFT within 45 days of the decision (paragraph 1.12).
| Paragraph | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 1.08 | Application | Online in ANF 1B; jurisdiction by registered or head office |
| 1.09 | Validity | 5 years from filing; upgrade after surrender; 2015-20 certificates valid only till 30.09.2023 |
| 1.10 | Accounts | Kept for two years from grant |
| 1.11 | Action | Five grounds; reasonable opportunity |
| 1.12 | Appeal | To the DGFT within 45 days; decision final and binding |
Need help with a status certificate?
Applications, upgrades and replies to a notice on a suspension all turn on dates and records. If you are preparing an application or need help with registrations that go with it, we can assist with an RCMC registration and review the file before it is submitted.
Key takeaways
- Apply online in ANF 1B to the Regional Authority of the registered or head office (paragraph 1.08).
- A new certificate is valid for 5 years from the filing date (paragraph 1.09(b)); 2015-20 certificates were valid only till 30.09.2023.
- Keep accounts for two years from grant (paragraph 1.10).
- The certificate can be refused, suspended or cancelled on five grounds, with a reasonable opportunity first (paragraph 1.11).
- Appeal to the DGFT lies within 45 days against suspension or cancellation (paragraph 1.12).
Read next
- Paragraphs 1.25 to 1.28: status holder eligibility, categories and double weightage
- Paragraphs 1.29 and 1.30: privileges of status holders and skilling obligations
- Section 9 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992: issue, suspension and cancellation of licence
- Status holder scheme: thresholds, privileges and double weightage
Disclaimer: Based on the chapter-wise text of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 published on the DGFT website, and on the later Notifications named in this article, as consulted on 2 October 2026. The copies carry no "updated up to" date. Notifications, Public Notices, Trade Notices, the ITC(HS) schedules, Appendices and forms change often; the current text on the DGFT website should be checked before acting. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.