The Government of India has introduced key amendments to streamline and strengthen the framework for issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) and self-certification mechanisms for exporters under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has issued Notification No. 05/2026-27 dated April 7, 2026, notifying amendments to Para 2.62 of FTP 2023 with immediate effect .
The amendments have been made in exercise of powers conferred under Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with Para 1.02 of FTP 2023. These changes aim to enhance transparency, improve verification mechanisms, and promote ease of doing business for exporters.
As per the revised provisions, Certificates of Origin for exports from India shall now be issued only by agencies authorized by DGFT, ensuring a standardized and regulated certification system across all trade agreements. Further, these agencies are required to issue CoOs strictly in accordance with procedures prescribed by DGFT from time to time .
A significant compliance measure introduced is the requirement for exporters to use identical invoice numbers in both Certificates of Origin and corresponding Shipping Bills, enabling automated verification and reducing discrepancies in export documentation.
The notification also strengthens the Approved Exporter Scheme for Self-Certification of Origin, providing greater flexibility to eligible exporters. Under this scheme, manufacturers who are also Status Holders will be eligible for recognition as Approved Exporters and will be permitted to self-certify the origin of goods manufactured by them.
Such self-certification will be allowed only for goods manufactured in accordance with Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum (IEM), Industrial License (IL), or Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to the manufacturer, ensuring authenticity and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Further, recognition as an Approved Exporter will be granted by DGFT based on the availability of necessary infrastructure, production capacity, and trained manpower, as specified under Para 2.94 of the Handbook of Procedures read with Appendix 2F .
The notification also clarifies that the operational details of the scheme, including penalty provisions, are provided in Appendix 2F and will come into effect only when India incorporates the self-certification mechanism into specific trade agreements with partner countries and duly notifies the same.
Additionally, the extension of self-certification benefits to exporters under bilateral or multilateral trade agreements will remain subject to the provisions and conditions of the respective Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs).
The overall effect of this notification is to ensure that Certificates of Origin are issued only through authorized channels while enabling automation in verification and promoting trusted exporters through the self-certification mechanism. This reform is expected to reduce transaction costs, enhance efficiency, and strengthen India’s export competitiveness.
This initiative reflects the Government’s continued focus on trade facilitation, digital compliance, and alignment with global best practices, thereby reinforcing India’s position as a reliable and efficient trading partner.
The Notification can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Notification-No.-05-English-dated-07.04.2026-signed.pdf
