Date: 2022-04-29Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Electronic filing and Issuance of Preferential Certificate of
Origin (CoO) for India’s Exports under India-UAE Comprehensive
Economic Partnership Agreement (India-UAE CEPA) w.e.f. 01st May
2022
**Executive Summary:**
This trade notice from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announces the expansion of the electronic platform for Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) to include the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), effective May 1st, 2022. It details the process for electronic filing and issuance of CoOs for exports to the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA. Exporters are required to use the e-platform for CoO applications and ensure their IEC details are updated.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Electronic CoO Platform Expansion:** The e-platform for Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) now includes the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
* **Effective Date:** Preferential Certificates of Origin for exports to the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA will be issued from the CoO e-platform starting May 1st, 2022.
* **Application Submission:** Applications must be submitted via the eCoO website: https://coo.dgft.gov.in
* **eCoO Features:**
* eCoOs will contain the officer's image signature and the issuing agency's stamp.
* A Quick Response (QR) code will be included for electronic verification.
* Authenticity can also be verified by entering the Certificate Number on the eCoO website.
* The system generates an original, duplicate, and electronic copy of the eCoO.
* **Paper Copies:** Paper copies of the eCoO can be collected from the issuing agency after ink signatures/stamping, if needed.
* **Exporter Requirements:**
* A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) – Class III – is required for electronic submission, consistent with other DGFT applications.
* New applicants must register on the portal; password sent to the email/mobile of the IEC holder.
* Update email via IEC Profile Management service on the DGFT website (https://dgft.gov.in), if needed.
* Ensure updated IEC details are available in the DGFT system; modify details online, if necessary.
* **Guidance and Assistance:**
* Help manual and FAQs are available on the landing page: https://coo.dgft.gov.in
* Assistance channels:
* Raise a service request ticket via DGFT Helpdesk Service on the DGFT Website.
* Send an email to DGFT CoO Helpdesk at coodgftgov.in
* Call the Toll-Free DGFT Helpdesk Numbers.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Indian Exporters:**
* *Impact:* Required to use the electronic platform for obtaining Preferential Certificates of Origin for exports to the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA. This may streamline the certification process but also necessitates adherence to new electronic filing procedures.
* *Action Required:* Register on the eCoO portal (if a new applicant), ensure possession of a valid Class III DSC, update IEC details on the DGFT system, and submit CoO applications electronically via the eCoO website.
* **Designated Issuing Agencies under FTAs/PTAs:**
* *Impact:* Must issue Preferential Certificates of Origin for exports to the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA through the electronic platform. This likely involves adapting their processes to the new electronic system.
* *Action Required:* Familiarize themselves with the eCoO system, ensure staff are trained on the new procedures, and facilitate the collection of paper copies of eCoOs (if requested) after necessary signatures and stamping.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, responsible for foreign trade policy.
IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: A trade agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi: Location of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, Delhi.
Preferential Certificate of Origin: A document certifying that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.
Designated Issuing Agencies under FTAsPTAs: Agencies authorized to issue Certificates of Origin under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs).
IEC Profile Management service: A service on the DGFT website that allows IEC holders to update their email address.
Digital Signature Certificate DSC: A digital signature required for electronic submission of applications to DGFT.
Md. Moin Afaque: Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Dated: 29.04.2022
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 05/2022-2023
To,
All Exporters/Members of Trade
All Designated Issuing Agencies under FTAs/PTAs
Subject: Electronic filing and Issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO)
for India’s Exports under India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (India-UAE CEPA) w.e.f. 01st May 2022
In continuation to the earlier Trade Notice(s) 34/2015-2020 dated 19.09.2019,
41/2019-2020 dated 12.12.2020, 53/2019-2020 dated 02.03.2020, 01/2020-2021 dated
07.04.2020, 30/2020-2021 dated 13.10.2020, 43/2015-2020 dated 23.02.2021 and
01/2021-22 dated 01.04.2022, it is informed that the electronic platform for Preferential
Certificate of Origin (CoO) is being expanded further to facilitate electronic application of
Preferential Certificates of Origin under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement.
2. The Preferential Certificate of Origin for Exports to UAE under India-UAE CECPA
shall be issued from the CoO e-platform with effect from 01st May 2022.
3. It is informed that applications under the above-mentioned Trade Agreement may
be submitted on the eCoO Website (https://coo.dgft.gov.in). The eCoO generated shall
bear the image signature of the officer and stamp of the issuing agency. The eCoO shall
also bear a Quick-Response(QR) code for electronic verification and authenticity of eCoO
so issued. The authenticity of the eCoO may additionally be verified by keying in the
Certificate Number on the ‘Verify Certificate’ link on the eCoO Website.
4. On issue, the e-CoO system shall generate an original copy and a duplicate copy
besides the electronic copy. Accordingly, paper copies of the eCoO may also be collectedby post or in person, from the concerned issuing agency, after necessary ink-
signatures/stamping, if required.
5. The concerned Indian Exporters may please take note of the following points with
regard to the process being notified herewith:
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) would be required for the purpose of electronic
submission. The digital signature would be the same as used in other DGFT
applications; and should be a Class III DSC;
• Any new applicant exporter would be required to initially register at the portal. The
password would be sent on the email and mobile number of the IEC holder. In
case the IEC holder desires to update their email on which communication is to be
sent, the same may be done by using the ‘IEC Profile Management’ service on the
DGFT website https://dgft.gov.in
• Once registration is completed, the IEC branch details would be auto-populated as
per the DGFT-IEC database. Applicant is required to ensure that updated IEC
details are available in the DGFT system. Necessary steps may be taken to modify
the IEC details online, whenever required.
6. For further guidance on registration and application submission, the Help manual
& FAQs may be accessed on the landing page at https://coo.dgft.gov.in. For any further
assistance you may utilize any of the following channels —
• Raise a service request ticket through the DGFT Helpdesk Service on DGFT
Website -- > Services -- >DGFT Helpdesk Service
• Send an email to DGFT CoO Helpdesk at coo-dgft@gov.in
• Call the Toll-Free DGFT Helpdesk Numbers
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
(Issued from File No. 01/02/82/AM-19/EDI[E- 14047])