Horizon Business Solutions(HBS) is offering you a complete guide to the Issuance of Certificate of Origin (CoO) — a critical document for exporters that certifies the origin of goods and enables access to preferential tariffs under trade agreements.
📘 What Is a Certificate of Origin (CoO)?
A Certificate of Origin is an official document that certifies that goods in a shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country. It’s required by customs authorities in the importing country to determine:
- Eligibility for tariff benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs)
- Compliance with rules of origin
- Application of trade remedies or restrictions
🧾 Types of CoO
🛠 How to Apply for CoO
India uses a Common Digital Platform for CoO issuance:
🔗 DGFT CoO Portal
Step-by-Step Process:
- Register on the CoO Portal using your IEC and DSC or Aadhaar e-sign
- Select the appropriate FTA/PTA or choose non-preferential CoO
- Fill in product and shipment details
- Upload supporting documents:
- Invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Manufacturing declaration
- Pay the applicable fee
- Submit the application
- Receive digitally signed CoO (can be printed or shared electronically)
🧭 Issuing Agencies
All designated agencies (e.g., Export Promotion Councils, Chambers of Commerce) are onboarded to the DGFT portal and must issue CoOs through this system.
📅 Validity & Transition Updates
- Preferential CoOs must be filed through the new eCoO 2.0 system at trade.gov.in from 17 January 2025 onward
- The older platform will stop accepting new applications from 16 January 2025, 10 PM
- Exporters must migrate their e-wallet balances to the new portal before 26 February 2025, 6 PM
📗 Helpful Resources
- DGFT CoO Portal – Apply and manage CoO applications
- Trade.gov.in Certificate of Origin Page – FAQs, help manuals, and updates