Spice Board Registration in India

The Spice Board Registration, officially known as the Certificate of Registration as an Exporter of Spices (CRES), is a mandatory license issued by the Spices Board of India. It is granted under Section 12 of the Spices Board Act, 1986, to anyone exporting scheduled spices from India and is issued through the DGFT portal. Under Section 11 of the Spices Board Act, 1986, no person can carry on the business of exporting scheduled spices without obtaining the CRES certificate.

The Board, a statutory commodity board, acts as the official Export Promotion Council for the 52 scheduled spices in any form. India exported 17.34 lakh tonnes of spices worth ₹39,140.11 crore in 2025–26, making it the world's largest spice exporter.

The Spice Board certificate confirms that the exporter meets the regulatory requirements for exporting scheduled spices from India. To apply for Spice Board Registration, exporters must possess a valid Import Export Code (IEC) obtained through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal.

What is the Spices Board Act, 1986?

The Spices Board Act, 1986 (Act No. 10 of 1986), is a law made to promote the development, quality control, and export of spices in India. Coming into force on 26 February 1987 (Notification S.O. 122(E)), it led to the formation of the Spices Board of India, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The Act merged the former Cardamom Board and Spices Export Promotion Council into a single authority. Today, the Spices Board promotes the cultivation, processing, quality improvement, and export of 52 scheduled spices, including pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cumin, and chilli.

The Act also serves as the legal basis for Spice Board Registration. It requires exporters to obtain a Certificate of Registration as an Exporter of Spices (CRES) before exporting scheduled spices. It also empowers the Board to suspend or cancel registrations for non-compliance and gives exporters the right to appeal such decisions.

Some key provisions of the Act include:

Overall, the Spices Board Act, 1986, helps farmers, traders, and exporters by providing support, guidelines, and facilities to grow and sell higher-quality spices in India and abroad.

Functions of the Spices Board of India

The Spices Board of India performs several functions under Section 7 of the Spices Board Act, 1986, to support farmers, exporters, and the spice industry.

• Highlighting North-Eastern Spices: Introducing the diverse range of spices found in the North-East region.
• Cardamom Market Development: Overseeing the regulation, research, and development of domestic marketing for both small and large cardamom varieties.
• Quality Assessment Services: Providing an overview of the methods for quality evaluation services of spices.
• Spice Promotion and Certification: Engaging in the promotion, processing, and certification of various spices.
• Post-Harvest Spice Enhancement: Focusing on improving spices after they have been harvested.
• Export Promotion: Issuing CRES (RCMC), facilitating trade fairs, market research, and brand building for Indian spices globally, including those from the North-East.
• Quality & Food Safety: Setting and enforcing quality standards, monitoring residues, operating certification schemes, and promoting quality assessment services.
• Research & Development: Conducting R&D for improved spice varieties, cultivation techniques, pest management, and post-harvest enhancement.
• Market Development: Overseeing market development for cardamom and other spices, both domestically and internationally.
• Data & Statistics: Collecting and disseminating vital data related to spice production, trade, and prices.

In addition to its statutory functions, the Board runs several schemes to improve the competitiveness of India's spice sector. Through initiatives such as the SPICED Scheme, it supports Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), MSMEs, SC/ST entrepreneurs, and exporters from the North-Eastern states. The Board also promotes GI-tagged and organic spices, post-harvest quality improvement, and Spice Incubation Centres. It has also established Spice Parks in Kerala (Puttady), Karnataka (Chikkamagaluru), Rajasthan (Jodhpur), and Andhra Pradesh (Puttaparthi) to provide modern processing, value-addition, and quality testing facilities for spice exporters.

The Spices Board of India is responsible for the overall development and export promotion of 52 spices listed in the Schedule of the Spices Board Act, 1986.

Note: Both small cardamom and large cardamom are covered under the single entry "Cardamom" in the Schedule to the Spices Board Act. The Central Government can also update this list by adding or removing spices through a notification in the Official Gazette.

Spice registration offers tangible benefits that help businesses thrive in the competitive global market:

• International Credibility: Securing Spice Board Registration significantly enhances your company's credibility, building trust among buyers and suppliers globally.
• Opportunities for Business Growth: The Spice Board certificate allows you to connect with potential business partners, customers, and policymakers across the globe. This helps build relationships that will benefit your long-term goals.
• Market Intelligence and Data Accessibility: This is crucial for international importers and exporters, who can register to gain valuable market information, including current trends, consumer preferences, and contact details.
• Streamlined Export Process: The CRES certificate acts as the mandatory Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) for spice exporters. This simplifies compliance, as you do not need to seek a separate RCMC from another authority.
• Brand Enhancement and Visibility: Membership with the Spice Board provides opportunities to participate in international trade exhibitions, product showcases, and promotional activities.
• Quality Assurance and Adherence: The Spice Board Registration also guarantees that all spices conform to international quality standards, thereby reassuring foreign customers of the superior quality of Indian spices.
• Access to Export Incentives: Since CRES also serves as your RCMC, you can claim benefits under eligible government export schemes. These include Duty Drawback, RoDTEP, Advance Authorisation, and the EPCG Scheme, which allows eligible capital goods to be imported at concessional or nil customs duty.
• Access to Government Export Schemes: A valid CRES makes it easier to avail the benefits under various export promotion schemes and programmes introduced under India's Foreign Trade Policy. This can help reduce export costs and improve your global competitiveness.

To be eligible for CRES, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Business Type: The applicant must be either a manufacturer-exporter or a merchant-exporter of spices.
• Spice Type: The business must be involved in the export of any of the 52 spices specified by the Spices Board.
• Legal Entity: The business must be a legally registered entity in India. This includes:

• • Sole Proprietorship
  • Partnership Firm
  • Limited Liability Partnership
  • Private Limited Company
  • Public Limited Company

• Indian Business Entity: The applicant must be an India-based business entity.
• No Criminal Record: There should be no criminal record against the partners or directors of the business entity. This ensures the integrity and credibility of the exporter.
• Valid ID Proofs: All identification proofs submitted for the partners/directors and the business must be legitimate and verifiable.
• Import Export Code (IEC): A valid Import Export Code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is mandatory. This is the primary requirement for any export/import activity in India.
• GST Registration: The business must have a valid GST registration certificate.
• FSSAI License: As spices are considered food products, a Central FSSAI license is generally required for businesses involved in the export of spices. For exporters, a Central License is typically needed if the annual turnover exceeds ₹20 crores or if they are primarily engaged in export activities.
• Place of Business and Storage: The applicant must have a fixed and proper place of business with adequate storage facilities for spices.
• Financial Soundness: A confidential bank certificate or bank report in the prescribed format from your banker, confirming your financial status and the net worth of the company.
• Valid identity proofs: Proof for all proprietors, partners, or directors, and for the business entity.
• Central FSSAI License: Since spices are food products, the Spices Board requires a Central FSSAI License for both merchant-exporters and manufacturer-exporters, regardless of turnover. A State FSSAI License is not accepted for CRES registration.

Additional Requirements for Manufacturer-Exporters Applying for Spice Board Registration

Manufacturer-exporters must also provide:

• Udyam Registration Certificate.
• Consent to Operate (CTO) issued by the concerned State Pollution Control Board.
• Proof of ownership or possession of the processing unit, such as a registered lease deed, rent agreement, or recent property tax receipt.

Note: The Spices Board does not prescribe a minimum turnover for CRES registration. Although some industry sources mention a turnover benchmark, it is not an official eligibility requirement under the Spices Board's registration guidelines.

To apply for Spices Board Registration, the following documents are mandatory:

1. Application Form (Form-1) prescribed under Section 12 of the Spices Board Act, 1986.
2. Import Export Code (IEC) Certificate issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
3. PAN Card of the business entity or proprietor.
4. GST Registration Certificate, wherever applicable.
5. Bank Certificate/Bank Report in the prescribed format.
6. Central FSSAI License.
7. Industrial Registration Certificate, wherever applicable.
8. Partnership Deed (for partnership firms) or Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Certificate of Incorporation (for companies).
9. Passport-size Photograph of the applicant or authorised signatory.
10. Proof of Business Premises, such as a utility bill, lease/rent agreement, or property ownership document.
11. Identity and Address Proof of the proprietor, partners, or directors.
12. Cancelled Cheque of the business bank account.
13. Declaration/Undertaking in the prescribed format.
14. List of Spices for Export along with their ITC (HS) Codes.
15. Factory License/Manufacturing Unit Registration, if applying as a manufacturer-exporter.
16. GMP or HACCP Certificate, wherever applicable.
17. Updated IEC Profile on the DGFT portal.
18. Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar e-Sign for online application submission.

The process for acquiring a Certificate of Registration as Export of Spice (CRES) comprises the following stages:

Step 1: Log in to the DGFT portal

Visit the DGFT portal and sign in using your IEC-linked credentials. From the dashboard, navigate to Services → e-RCMC → Apply for RCMC.

Step 2: Verify your IEC details

The application automatically fetches details from your IEC profile, including your:

• Business name
• PAN
• Registered address
• Bank details
• Directors or partners
• Branch information

Review these details carefully before proceeding, as they cannot be edited later in the application. If you find any errors, update your IEC profile first and then continue.

Step 3: Select the Spices Board and enter your business details

Choose the Spices Board as the registering authority. Next, provide details such as:

• Filing office
• Branch GSTIN (if applicable)
• Membership period
• Financial year
• MSME status
• Exporter category (Merchant Exporter or Manufacturer Exporter)
• EOU/SEZ details (if applicable)
• Applicable registration fee

You will also need to add the spices you plan to export, along with their ITC (HS) codes and the countries where they will be exported. Next, provide the previous year's export performance and the details of your authorised representative.

Step 4: Upload the Required Documents

Upload all the required documents in PDF format through the DGFT portal. Ensure that each document is clear, complete, and meets the prescribed file requirements.

Moreover, upload the standard documents required on the DGFT portal in PDF format. Also, upload any additional documents required by the Spices Board based on whether you are applying as a merchant exporter or a manufacturer exporter.

Step 5: Pay the Registration Fee

Pay the applicable registration fee online through the DGFT payment gateway. The fee depends on your exporter category.

Step 6: Sign and submit the application

Complete the application by signing it using your Class 3 DSC or Aadhaar e-Sign, and submit it online.

Step 7: Application verification

The application is forwarded to the concerned Spices Board Regional Office for verification. If any document or information is incomplete, the Board may ask you to submit additional details or correct the application.

In some cases, the office may also inspect your business premises before approving.

Step 8: Download your CRES certificate

Once your application is approved, the Spices Board issues your CRES through the DGFT portal. You can then download the certificate from your DGFT account, and you will also receive an email or SMS notification.

The Spices Board generally processes complete applications within 10 working days. If your application requires additional clarification or a physical inspection of your business premises, the process may take up to 15 working days.

Note: To keep your registration active, you must submit Quarterly Export Returns (QER) to the Spices Board. Exporters dealing in cardamom must also file monthly returns as prescribed by the Board.

RegisterKaro charges a professional fee of ₹10,000 for manufacturer-exporters and ₹5,000 for merchant-exporters. The official Spices Board Registration (CRES) fee, payable to the government (excluding GST), is as follows:

Note: Since the government revises the fee from time to time, check the latest amount on the DGFT portal before making the payment.

The Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices issued by the Spices Board of India typically holds validity for a period of 3 years from its date of issuance. Maintaining active registration requires timely renewal to ensure continuous legal compliance for export operations.

1. Spice Board Registration Renewal Process in India

To ensure uninterrupted spice export activities, the renewal of Spices Board Registration on the DGFT e-RCMC portal is crucial. The general process involves:

1. Apply before expiry: Apply for renewal 30 to 45 days before your CRES expires.
2. Pay the renewal fee: Pay the applicable renewal fee online through the DGFT portal. The fee is ₹11,800 (₹10,000 + 18% GST) for manufacturer-exporters and ₹8,850 (₹7,500 + 18% GST) for merchant-exporters.
3. Upload updated documents: Upload any updated business information, such as changes to your address, directors, or GST details. If there are no changes, submit a declaration confirming the same. Also, upload the required supporting documents, including the Central FSSAI License, Bank Report (Annexure II), and category-specific documents for manufacturer-exporters.
4. Verify export return compliance: Ensure all Quarterly Export Returns (QERs) have been filed before applying for renewal. Pending returns may delay the renewal process and can attract penalties under the Act.
5. Receive the renewed CRES: The Spices Board reviews your application and documents. Once approved, the renewed CRES is issued on the DGFT portal, where you can download it.

2. Cancellation of Spice Board Registration in India

The Spices Board of India can cancel your CRES under Section 13 of the Spices Board Act, 1986 if:

1. You violate the terms and conditions of your CRES.
2. The Central Government decides that cancelling the registration is necessary in the public interest.

In practice, this may happen if you:

• Submit false information to obtain registration.
• Repeatedly violate the Act or its rules.
• Fail to comply with the conditions of your certificate.
• Engage in serious trade-related misconduct.

Before cancelling your registration, the Board must give you a reasonable opportunity to explain your case as per Section 13(3) of the Act.

If your registration is cancelled, you can file an appeal with the Central Government under Section 14. To do so:

• Submit the appeal within the prescribed time.
• Attach a copy of the cancellation order.
• Pay the prescribed appeal fee.

The Central Government will hear your case before making a decision. It may confirm, modify, or set aside the cancellation order.

3. Suspension of Spice Board Registration in India

The Spices Board of India has the power to regulate or suspend a CRES under the Spices Board Act, 1986. Under Section 13(2), the Board may suspend your registration as a temporary measure while it decides whether the certificate should be cancelled.

The Board can suspend your registration only if:

• It is considering cancellation under Section 13(1).
• It records the reasons for suspension in writing.
• It issues a written suspension order.

The initial suspension can last for up to 45 days. During this period, the Board will ask you to show cause within 15 days why the suspension should not continue until the cancellation proceedings are completed.

In practice, suspension may occur if you:

• Are being investigated for violating the Act or its rules.
• Face serious quality or compliance issues.
• Are suspected of trade-related misconduct.
• Fail to respond to notices or queries issued by the Spices Board.

During the suspension period, your CRES is not considered valid. As a valid CRES is mandatory under Section 11 of the Act, you cannot legally export scheduled spices until the suspension is revoked.

A valid CRES is mandatory under Section 11 of the Spices Board Act, 1986. Exporting scheduled spices without one can lead to the following consequences:

• Civil penalty: Exporting without a valid CRES can attract a civil penalty of up to ₹50,000. For a repeated violation, the penalty can increase to ₹1,00,000 under Section 29 of the Act, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
• Seizure of goods: Under Section 32, spices exported without a valid CRES are treated as restricted goods under the Customs Act, 1962. Customs authorities may detain or seize the consignment at the port, and the goods may also be confiscated in accordance with the Customs Act.
• Shipment delays: Customs may stop your export consignment until you obtain a valid CRES. This can delay deliveries and increase storage and logistics costs.
• Penalty for false returns: If you knowingly submit a false return or provide false information to the Spices Board, you may face a civil penalty under Section 26 of the Spices Board Act, 1986. The penalty was introduced under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which replaced the earlier criminal punishment with a civil penalty.
• Loss of export benefits: Since CRES also serves as your RCMC, you may not be able to claim export benefits and incentives available under the Foreign Trade Policy without a valid registration.
• Buyer disqualification: Many overseas buyers, importers, and procurement agencies require suppliers to hold a valid CRES. Without one, you may fail buyer due diligence checks and lose export contracts or business opportunities.
• Loss of business credibility: Buyers often prefer to work with compliant exporters. Exporting without a valid CRES can affect your reputation and reduce business opportunities in international markets.

Handling Spices Board Registration can be challenging, especially if you're applying for the first time. Here are some common issues exporters face:

1. Managing documentation: Collecting the required documents and ensuring they comply with GST, FSSAI, and Spices Board requirements can be time-consuming.
2. Application delays: Missing documents, incorrect information, or additional verification can slow down the approval process.
3. Understanding the requirements: Many applicants find it difficult to interpret the eligibility criteria and registration guidelines.
4. DGFT portal issues: Technical errors, document upload failures, or payment issues on the DGFT portal can delay the application.
5. Choosing the correct exporter category: Identifying whether your business qualifies as a merchant exporter or a manufacturer exporter is important, as it determines the applicable documents and registration fee.

The CRES contains important details like:

• Name and address of the exporter
• IEC number
• CRES / RCMC registration number and date of issue
• Registering authority
• Exporter categories like merchant or manufacturer
• Spice products approved for export, with ITC (HS) codes
• Validity period
• Digital signature of the issuing authority