Spice Board Registration

The Spices Board is the Indian government regulatory and export promotion agency for Indian spices. Spices Board was constituted in 1987 under the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960) and have the responsibility of production/development of cardamom and export promotion of 52 spices shown in the schedule of the Act.

Main Functions of Spice Board of India:

• Research, Development, and Regulation of domestic marketing of Small & Large Cardamom
• Post-harvest improvement of all spices
• Promotion of organic production, processing and certification of spices
• Development of spices in the North East
• Provision of quality evaluation services
• Export promotion of all spices through support for
• Technology up gradation.
• Quality up gradation
• Brand promotion
• Research & product development

Other Responsibilities related to Export Promotion of Spices:

• Quality certification and control
• Registration of exporters
• Collection & documentation of trade information
• Provision of inputs to the Central Government on policy matters relating to import & export of spices

Package Services for Exporters/Importers

• Helps exporters and importers in establishing mutual contact.
• Identifies competent supply sources for specific requirements of importers
• Processes and forwards foreign trade inquiries to reliable exporters.
• Organizes a common platform for interaction between Indian exporters and international buyers through participation in major international exhibitions and meetings.
• Examine complaints from importers for corrective and preventive action
• Spearheads the quality improvement program for Indian spices.
• Manages a comprehensive and up-to-date data bank for exporters and importers.
• Brings together international bodies, exporters, and policymakers through contact group programs.
• Makes India’s presence felt in major international food fairs, conducts food festivals and cooking demonstrations.

Multi-faceted Activities of Spice Board of India

• Promotion of exports of spices and spice products
• Maintenance and monitoring of quality of exports
• Development and implementation of better production methods, through scientific, technological and economic research.
• Guidance to farmers on getting higher and better-quality yields through scientific agricultural practices.
• Provision of financial and material support to growers.
• Encouraging organic production and export of spices.
• Facilitating infrastructure for processing and value addition
• Registration and licensing of all spice exporters.
• Assistance for studies and research on better processing practices, fool proof quality management systems, improved grading methods and effective packaging techniques.
• Production of promotional and educative materials in a variety of media for the benefit of exporters and importers.

No person shall, after the commencement of this Act, commence or carry on the business of export of any spice except under and in accordance with a certificate. Provided that a person carrying on the business of export of spices immediately before the commencement of this Act, may continue to do so for a period of three months from such commencement; and if he has made an application for such certificate with the said period of three months till the disposal of such application.

An application for grant of certificate shall be made to the Board in such form and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by a receipt evidencing the payment of the prescribed fee. On receipt of such application, the Board shall: -

If the application is not in the prescribed form or does not contain any of the prescribed particulars, return the application to the applicant; or

If the application is in the prescribed form and contains the prescribed particulars, grant the certificate subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by regulations.

Spice Board may reject applications based on following criteria:

• The Board may cancel any certificate on any one or more of the following grounds, namely: -
• That the holder of the certificate has violated any of the terms and conditions of the certificate.
• That in the opinion of the Central Government it is necessary for the interests of the general public to cancel the certificate.

1. where the Board, for reasons to be recorded in writing is satisfied that pending consideration of the question of cancelling the certificate on any grounds mentioned in subsection (1), it is necessary so to do, the Board may by order in writing suspend the operation of the certificate for such period not exceeding forty-five days as may be specified in the order and require the holder of the certificate to show cause, within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such order, as to why the suspension of the certificate should not be extended till the determination of the question as to whether the registration should be cancelled.
2. No order of cancellation of registration under this section shall be made unless the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of the grounds for such cancellation.
3. Any person aggrieved by an order made under section 13 may prefer an appeal to the Central Government within such period as may be prescribed.

In case of export/import of Spices/Spice products, Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices issued by the Board is also required in addition to the IE (import-export) Code number. Spices Board issues Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices [CRES] under Section 11 of the Spices Board Act.

The Schedule 2 (List of Spices Mentioned in the Spice Board Act)

1. Cardamom
2. Pepper
3. Chilly
4. Ginger
5. Turmeric
6. Coriander
7. Cumin
8. Fennel
9. Fenugreek
10. Celery
11. Aniseed
12. Bishop’s weed
13. Caraway
14. Dill
15. Cinnamon
16. Cassia
17. Garlic
18. Curry leaf
19. Kokam
20. Mint
21. Mustard
22. Parsley
23. Pomegranate seed
24. Saffron
25. Vanilla
26. Tejpatta
27. Pepper long
28. Star Anise
29. Sweet flag
30. Greater Galanga
31. Horse-raddish
32. Caper
33. Clove
34. Asafoetida
35. Cambodge
36. Hyssop
37. Juniper berry
38. Bay leaf
39. Lovage
40. Marjoram
41. Nutmeg
42. Mace
43. Basil
44. Poppy Seed
45. All-Spice
46. Rosemary
47. Sage
48. Savoury
49. Thyme
50. Oregano
51. Tarragon
52. Tamarind

• Application in the prescribed form (Form-1)
• Self-attested copy of IE (import-export) code certificate
• Registration fee in the form of crossed Demand Draft favoring spice board request
• Confidential bank certificate in prescribed format in deal cover from banker in support of your financial status
• Self-certified copy of Partnership deed/ Memorandum and Articles of Association as the case may be.
• Self-certified copied of GST registration certificate.
• Self-attested certificate issued by directorate of industries in case of manufacturer-exporter of spices.
• Self-certified copy of PAN card
• Passport size photo with white background of CEO or the designated officer of your firm.

Fee Structure to Apply for Spice Board Registration