The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has issued Public Notice No. 15/2026-27 dated 2nd June, 2026, amending Appendix 2B [List of Agencies Authorised to issue Certificate of Origin (Preferential)] of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. The amendment has been made in exercise of powers conferred under paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time.
The Public Notice specifically includes the list of Authorised Agencies permitted to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) for the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (India-Oman CEPA). This is a significant step towards facilitating smoother trade between India and Oman under the bilateral trade framework.
Authorised Agencies for India-Oman CEPA (S. No. 21 of Appendix 2B):
The following agencies have been notified as authorised to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin under the India-Oman CEPA:
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and its regional offices
- Export Inspection Council (EIC) and Export Inspection Agencies
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and regional offices
- Central Silk Board and regional offices
- Coir Board
- Development Commissioner, Handicraft and regional offices
- Spices Board
- Textile Committee and regional offices
- Tobacco Board
- Cochin Special Economic Zone
- Falta Special Economic Zone
- Kandla Special Economic Zone
- MEPZ Special Economic Zone
- NOIDA Special Economic Zone
- SEEPZ Special Economic Zone
- Vishakhapatnam Special Economic Zone
Effect of the Public Notice:
This Public Notice operationalises the trade facilitation mechanism under the India-Oman CEPA by formally designating the government bodies and export promotion councils authorised to certify the origin of goods. Exporters dealing in goods covered under the India-Oman CEPA may approach any of the above-listed agencies to obtain their Preferential Certificate of Origin, which is a key document for claiming preferential tariff treatment at the port of import in Oman.
Background:
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a bilateral trade agreement aimed at enhancing economic cooperation, reducing trade barriers, and expanding the scope of preferential trade between the two nations. A Certificate of Origin (Preferential) is a mandatory document for availing the concessional customs duty benefits available under such trade agreements. The amendment to Appendix 2B of FTP 2023 ensures that Indian exporters have clarity on the designated authorities for obtaining this critical document.
The Public Notice can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Public-Notice-No.-15.pdf
