**Executive Summary:**
This trade notice from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announces the expansion of the electronic platform for Certificate of Origin (CoO) to include Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoONP) starting April 15, 2021. While online submission is not immediately mandatory, a transition period allows agencies to onboard until July 31, 2021, or until further notice, during which paper-based submissions can continue. The notice also details the online application process, including digital signature requirements, registration, and verification procedures.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Electronic Platform Expansion:**
* The electronic platform (https:coo.dgft.gov.in) now supports electronic applications for Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoONP) from April 15, 2021.
* **Transition Period:**
* A transition period is in place for CoONP issuing agencies to onboard the digital platform.
* Submitting CoONP applications online is not immediately mandatory for exporters.
* The existing paper-based CoO application process remains operational in parallel.
* Issuing agencies can continue paper-based submissions until July 31, 2021, or until further orders.
* **Online CoONP Application Process:**
* The eCoO system generates three CoO leaves: electronic, original, and duplicate.
* The electronic copy includes the officer's image signature and issuing agency stamp.
* Exporters can request wet-ink signed copies of the CoONP and attested supporting documents, collected by post or in person.
* **Verification:**
* The authenticity of online CoONPs can be verified via QR code or by entering the certificate number on the eCoO platform.
* **Exporter Requirements:**
* A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is required for electronic submissions (Class III, individual or organization-based, or with embedded IEC).
* New applicants require one-time registration on the portal.
* Existing users of the platform for Preferential Certificates of Origin do not need to re-register.
* Exporters should ensure updated IEC details are in the DGFT system prior to registration.
* **Support and Guidance:**
* Help Manual and FAQs are available on the landing page (https:coo.dgft.gov.in).
* Assistance is available via DGFT Helpdesk, toll-free numbers, or email (coodgftgov.in).
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Indian Exporters:**
* *Impact:* Can now apply for Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin electronically, potentially streamlining the application process.
* *Action Required:* Obtain a Class III DSC, register on the platform (if a new user), ensure IEC details are updated, and familiarize themselves with the new online process.
* **Designated Issuing Agencies:**
* *Impact:* Need to onboard the common digital platform for issuing Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin.
* *Action Required:* Onboard the digital platform before July 31, 2021, or as directed, while continuing to support the existing paper-based system during the transition period.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: An organization under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, responsible for implementing foreign trade policy.
Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin: A trade document certifying that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country (country of origin).
Common Digital Platform for India's Exports: An electronic platform (https:coo.dgft.gov.in) developed to facilitate electronic application and issuance of Certificates of Origin.
Trade Notice 4220202021: An earlier trade notice regarding the electronic platform for Certificate of Origin CoO, dated 19.02.2021.
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi: The location where the Trade Notice was issued.
Digital Signature Certificate DSC: A digital signature required for electronic submission of applications on the DGFT portal.
Import Export Code IEC: A 10-digit code required for export/import activities in India, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (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: 25.03.2021
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 48/2020-2021
To,
All Exporters/Members of Trade
All Designated Issuing Agencies
Subject: Electronic filing of Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO) through the
Common Digital Platform for India’s Exports w.e.f. 15th April 2021
In continuation to the earlier Trade Notice 42/2020-2021 dated 19.02.2021, it is
informed that the electronic platform for Certificate of Origin (CoO) (URL:
https://coo.dgft.gov.in ) is being expanded beyond Preferential Certificate of Origin to
facilitate electronic application of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin.
2. The objective of the platform is to provide an electronic, contact-less single window
for the CoO related processes. Applications for Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin may
also be submitted through e-CoO platform w.e.f. 15th April 2021. However, there shall be
a transition period for CoO(NP) issuing agencies to on-board this common digital
platform. Submitting CoO(NP) applications on this online platform shall not be
mandatory for the exporters in the immediate. The existing procedure of submitting paper
CoO applications directly to the designated issuing agency shall also be in operation in
parallel. Submission and issuance of CoO(NP) by the issuing agencies through their paper
based system may continue up to 31st July 2021 or until further orders.
3. It may be noted here that for online Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin
applications, the e-CoO system shall generate a set of three (3) CoO leaves i.e. electronic,original and duplicate. The electronic copy shall bear the image signature of the officer
and stamp of the issuing agency. The other copies shall not bear the image sign and seal
of the issuing agency. Wherever required, the exporter may choose to get the prints of
these remaining copies duly signed in wet-ink by the issuing officer along with the stamp
of the issuing office.
4. As part of this online CoO(NP) application process, the exporters can also choose
to avail the option of requesting for attestation of the supporting documents submitted
with the said application, wherever required. These wet ink signed copies of the CoO(NP)
and the attested documents (if any) may be collected by the applicant exporter by post or
in person, for suitable submission to the concerned authorities in the importing country.
5. The authenticity of the online CoO(NP) issued shall be verifiable through QR code
displayed on the certificate. Additionally, verification may also be done by keying the
certificate number at the verification link on the e-CoO platform ( https://coo.dgft.gov.in
).
6. 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 of applications. The digital signature would be the same as used in other
DGFT applications;
The DSC should be Class III. The given DSC may be of either categories --
individual based DSC or organization based DSC or a DSC with the IEC of the
firm embedded into it;
Any new applicant exporter would require a one-time registration at the given
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 ‘Modify/Update
IEC’ service on the DGFT website https://dgft.gov.in
Once registration is completed, the IEC details would be auto-populated from the
DGFT-IEC database. Applicant is required to ensure that updated IEC details are
available in the DGFT system prior to registration. Necessary steps may be taken
to update the IEC details online, where required. Any applicant exporter who is already availing services on this common digital
platform for issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin is not required to register
again. Existing credentials may be used for logging in to the portal for CoO(NP) as
well.
8. For further guidance on registration and application submission process, 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
Call the toll-free DGFT Helpdesk numbers
Send an email to DGFT CoO Helpdesk at coo-dgft@gov.in
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
(Issued from File No. 01/02/54/AM21/EG&TF)