The Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 provides the framework for issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) and the Approved Exporter Scheme for self-certification. Previously, CoOs were issued through designated agencies, with an optional self-certification system for approved exporters to reduce transaction costs. The scheme also specified eligibility conditions for manufacturers and status holders. This notification amends Para 2.62 to streamline issuance and introduce verification-related requirements.

Amended Para 2.62:

(a) Issuance of Certificates of Origin

(i) “Certificates of Origin (CoO) for exports from India can only be issued by agencies authorized by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.”

(ii) “The authorized agencies shall issue CoOs in a manner as prescribed by DGFT from time to time.”

(iii) “All IEC holders availing CoOs shall use the same invoice numbers in both CoOs and corresponding Shipping Bills to enable automated verification.”

(b) Approved Exporter Scheme for Self-Certification of Certificate of Origin

(i) “Currently, Certificates of Origin under various Preferential Trade Agreements [PTA], Free Trade Agreements [FTAs], Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements [CECA] and Comprehensive Economic Partnerships Agreements [CEPA] are issued by designated agencies as per Appendix 2B of Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms. A new optional system of self-certification is being introduced with a view to reducing transaction cost.”

(ii) “The Manufacturers who are also Status Holders shall be eligible for Approved Exporter Scheme. Approved Exporters will be entitled to self-certify their manufactured goods as originating from India with a view to qualifying for preferential treatment under different PTAs/FTAs/CECAs/CEPAs which are in operation. Self-certification will be permitted only for the goods that are manufactured as per the Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandum (IEM) / Industrial License (IL) / Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to manufacturers.”

(iii) “Status Holders will be recognized by DGFT as Approved Exporters for self-certification based on availability of required infrastructure, capacity and trained manpower as per the details in Para 2.94 of Handbook of Procedures read with Appendix 2F of Appendices & Aayat Niryat Forms.”

(iv) “The details of the Scheme, along with the penalty provisions, are provided in Appendix 2F of Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms and will come into effect only when India incorporates the scheme into a specific agreement with its partner/s and the same is appropriately notified by DGFT. Further the entities to whom such self-certification will be extended bilaterally under FTA/PTA will be subject to the provisions and conditions of that FTA.”