Quick answerUnder section 11 of the Spices Board Act, 1986, no person may export any spice listed in the schedule to the Act without a Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) from the Spices Board. The CRES covers whole spices, spice powders, curry powders and blends, spice oils and oleoresins. It is issued to manufacturer exporters and merchant exporters holding an Import Export Code, is valid for three years, and also serves as the registration-cum-membership certificate needed for Foreign Trade Policy benefits.
- Law
- Spices Board Act 1986, s. 11
- Authority
- Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce
- Validity
- 3 years
- Prerequisite
- Valid IEC and GST registration
Which products need a CRES
The schedule to the Spices Board Act lists over fifty spices, including black pepper, cardamom, chilli, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, mustard, garlic, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and mace, saffron, vanilla, curry leaves, ajwain and tamarind. The Board's jurisdiction covers these spices in every form:
- whole and dried spices, and spice seeds;
- ground spices and spice powders;
- curry powders, masala mixes and seasoning blends;
- spice oils and oleoresins, and other value-added spice products.
Even a small exporter shipping packaged masalas to grocery stores abroad needs the CRES. If the same business also exports products outside the spice schedule, such as rice, pickles or ready-to-eat foods, it will additionally need APEDA registration for those items.
Who can apply and in what capacity
The CRES is issued to an exporter, not to a product. A proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company or co-operative can apply, in one of two capacities:
| Capacity | Who it suits | Additional requirements |
|---|
| Manufacturer exporter | Units that clean, grade, grind, blend, extract or pack spices themselves | Details of the processing unit and machinery, FSSAI licence for the premises |
| Merchant exporter | Traders who buy processed spices and export them | Details of sourcing and storage arrangements |
The applicant must have an Import Export Code, PAN and GST registration, and a bank account in the entity's name. The Board may inspect the premises of a manufacturer exporter before or after registration.
How the CRES is obtained
- Register the business on the Spices Board's online portal using its IEC.
- Fill the application for CRES, choosing manufacturer or merchant exporter and listing the spices and spice products to be exported.
- Upload self-attested documents and a bank certificate, and the processing unit details where applicable.
- Pay the registration fee online. The fee is prescribed by the Board and is subject to GST; we confirm the current amount when filing.
- The Board scrutinises the application and may call for clarifications or inspect the unit, then issues the CRES electronically.
The certificate carries a registration number that must be quoted on export documents. Exporters should also obtain the other approvals that apply to food exports, including the appropriate FSSAI licence for the processing or storage premises.
Quality, testing and buyer requirements
Spice exports face strict scrutiny abroad for pesticide residues, aflatoxins, microbial contamination, unauthorised colours such as Sudan dyes, and the use of ethylene oxide as a fumigant. After concerns were raised in 2024 by regulators in some importing countries about ethylene oxide in Indian spice mixes, the Spices Board issued guidance to exporters on avoiding its use and on testing. For certain spices going to certain destinations, sampling and testing at Spices Board or approved laboratories before shipment is mandatory.
In practice exporters should:
- buy from suppliers who can show residue and contamination test results;
- use approved processing aids and steam sterilisation where required, not chemical fumigants banned by the buyer's country;
- keep batch-wise traceability records and retain samples;
- label each pack according to the importing country's law, which may differ significantly from Indian labelling rules.
A single rejection can lead to increased checks on all future consignments from the exporter, so these steps protect the business, not just the shipment. Keep test reports for each lot with the shipping documents, as buyers and regulators may ask for them months after delivery.
Validity, renewal and returns
A CRES is valid for three years. Renewal should be applied for before expiry, with updated documents and the renewal fee. Exporting after the certificate has lapsed is treated as exporting without registration.
Registered exporters must submit periodic returns of their exports to the Board in the format it prescribes. These returns feed India's spice export statistics and are checked at renewal. Changes in name, address, constitution, partners or directors, or the addition of new spice products, must be reported for amendment of the certificate.
Because the Spices Board is the export promotion body for spices, the CRES itself works as the RCMC for Foreign Trade Policy purposes. Spice exporters do not need a separate RCMC from FIEO for spices, though they may need one for other product lines.
The complete registration checklist for a spice exporter
The CRES is one of several approvals a spice export business needs. A typical set looks like this:
- Import Export Code from the DGFT, updated every April to June.
- GST registration and an annual Letter of Undertaking to export without paying IGST, or a refund claim where IGST is paid.
- CRES from the Spices Board for all scheduled spices and spice products.
- FSSAI licence for the processing, packing or storage premises.
- Authorised Dealer code registration of your bank at each port of export.
- Phytosanitary certificates from the plant quarantine authorities for whole spices and seeds, where the importing country requires them.
- Certificates of origin, issued through the DGFT's online system, where the buyer wants to claim preferential duty under a trade agreement.
Small and new exporters also benefit from Udyam registration, which helps with export credit and certain scheme benefits. We sequence these so that nothing holds up the first shipment.
Support available from the Spices Board
Registered exporters can access the Board's development and export promotion schemes, which have at various times included assistance for quality upgrades, testing infrastructure, packaging, promotion of Indian spice brands abroad and participation in international fairs. The Board also runs quality evaluation laboratories in major spice trading centres and publishes market information and importing country requirements.
Scheme terms change from one plan period to the next, and most require prior application. We check the current guidelines before you commit to any expenditure you hope to claim.
Mistakes that cause problems for spice exporters
- Shipping before the CRES is issued, on the assumption that an IEC alone is enough.
- Registering under APEDA instead of the Spices Board for masala and spice products.
- Not listing value-added products such as blends or oleoresins in the application.
- Relying only on the supplier's word on residues and fumigation, without independent test reports.
- Missing periodic returns, which causes difficulty at renewal.
Documents you need
Self-attested copies of the following are needed for the CRES application.
- Import Export Code (IEC)
- PAN of the entity
- GST registration certificate
- Certificate of incorporation, LLP certificate or partnership deed
- Bank certificate or cancelled cheque in the entity's name
- Address proof of the office and processing unit or warehouse
- FSSAI licence and machinery details, for manufacturer exporters
- Digital signature certificate of the authorised signatory
How we handle it for you
Confirm scope
We list your spice and non-spice products and identify every registration they need.
Choose capacity
We advise whether to register as a manufacturer or merchant exporter.
File the CRES application
The application is filed online with documents and the prescribed fee.
Manage scrutiny
We handle Board queries and prepare you for any inspection of the unit.
Renew and report
We track returns, amendments and renewal before the three-year term ends.
Why clients choose ProudLegal
Advocates who appear in courtYour matter is drafted and argued by enrolled advocates, not call-centre staff.
Company and tax filings in-houseCompany secretaries and tax professionals handle registrations and returns.
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Please note: this page explains the law and procedure in general terms as on 30 October 2026. Fees, limits and timelines change, and the facts of each case matter, so take advice on your own papers before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spices Board registration mandatory for export?
Yes. Section 11 of the Spices Board Act, 1986 prohibits exporting scheduled spices without a Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices.
What is the validity of the Spices Board CRES?
Three years. It must be renewed before expiry to continue exporting spices.
Do masala and curry powder exports need a CRES?
Yes. Curry powders, spice mixes and blends are spice products under the Board's jurisdiction.
Is the CRES the same as an RCMC?
For spices, yes. The Spices Board is the export promotion body for spices, so the CRES serves as the RCMC for Foreign Trade Policy benefits.
Can a trader get Spices Board registration?
Yes. Traders can register as merchant exporters, and processors register as manufacturer exporters.
Do I need an IEC before applying?
Yes. A valid Import Export Code is required for the CRES application.
Is testing compulsory for spice exports?
For certain spices to certain countries, pre-shipment sampling and testing is mandatory. In any case, buyers and importing regulators expect residue and contamination test reports.
Does the CRES replace an FSSAI licence?
No. The processing or storage premises still need the appropriate FSSAI licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
