Overview
Spice Board Registration refers to the Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) issued by the Spices Board of India, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is the mandatory licence that allows a business to legally export spices and spice products from India.
Under the Spices Board Act, 1986, no person can carry on the business of exporting any of the scheduled spices (the Board regulates 52 notified spices, including pepper, cardamom, chilli, turmeric, ginger, coriander and cumin) without first obtaining a valid CRES. This applies to all types of exporters – manufacturers, processors, merchant exporters, traders and producer groups – whether operating as a proprietorship, partnership firm, LLP or company.
The registration confirms that a spice exporter is duly listed with the regulatory authority, and it is a prerequisite for clearing spice export consignments through Customs. It works alongside the Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT, which is required before applying for CRES.
About Spice Board
The Spices Board of India was constituted under the Spices Board Act, 1986 by merging the former Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion Council. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, with its headquarters in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala.
The Board is the apex body for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices. Its main functions include:
- Registration and licensing of spice exporters through the CRES
- Quality control, certification and export-quality monitoring of spices
- Research, development and promotion of Indian spices in global markets
- Maintaining quality testing laboratories and evaluation facilities for exporters
The Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) is the formal recognition issued by the Board that authorises a business to export the scheduled spices.
Benefits
Holding a valid Spice Board (CRES) registration offers several advantages to a spice exporter:
- Legal authorisation to export – it is mandatory for the export of scheduled spices and for Customs clearance of spice consignments.
- Credibility – recognition by a Government of India regulatory body builds trust with overseas buyers and partners.
- Access to the Board's quality testing laboratories and certification facilities.
- Eligibility to participate in export promotion schemes, trade fairs, buyer–seller meets and other support programmes run by the Board.
- Access to market intelligence, training, and guidance on international quality and food-safety standards.
- Helps in availing applicable export benefits and incentives offered to registered exporters under government schemes.
Documents Required
Only PAN Card and Aadhaar Card are mandatory; the rest are optional.
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport-size Photograph
- Address Proof (Utility / Electricity Bill)
- Bank Statement
- Import Export Code (IEC) Certificate
- GST Registration Certificate
How to Apply
Getting your Spice Board (CRES) Registration through TaxoSure is simple and fully assisted. Just follow these steps:
- Visit TaxoSure. Go to taxosure.com and open this Spice Board Registration service page.
- Login or Register. Create your free TaxoSure account, or log in if you already have one.
- Upload your documents. Your KYC documents (PAN & Aadhaar) are auto-filled from your account; simply upload the remaining documents for Spice Board Registration as per the checklist.
- Submit your application. Send us your application in one click.
- Talk to our consultant. Our consultant connects with you on WhatsApp / Call to confirm the details, share the pricing and begin the work.
- Get your CRES certificate. Our experts complete the entire process and deliver your Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) to you.
Validity & Renewal
The Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) is issued for a block period of three years from the date of issue.
To continue exporting after expiry, the certificate must be renewed before it lapses. It is advisable to begin the renewal process at least one to two months before the expiry date to avoid any interruption in export activity.
The renewal is carried out through the Spices Board online portal by submitting a renewal application, paying the prescribed renewal fee (with applicable taxes) as per current government norms, and furnishing any updated documents or a declaration confirming that the business details remain unchanged.
Registration Authority
The registering and regulatory authority is the Spices Board of India, a statutory body established under the Spices Board Act, 1986.
It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and is headquartered in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala. The Board issues and renews the Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) and oversees the quality and promotion of Indian spice exports.