The Government of India has introduced an important reform in the issuance process of Certificates of Origin (CoO) by mandating complete digitalisation, aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and ease of doing business in international trade.
In this regard, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has issued Public Notice No. 01/2026-27 dated April 7, 2026, notifying amendments to Para 2.90 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023.
The amendment has been carried out in exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. Certificates of Origin, which serve as essential documents to establish the origin of goods in international trade, continue to be classified into two categories—preferential and non-preferential .
As per the revised provisions, all authorised agencies have now been mandated to accept applications and issue Certificates of Origin only through the DGFT-designated electronic platform, including the official portal (https://www.trade.gov.in) or any other platform notified by DGFT from time to time. This marks a decisive move towards a fully digital, paperless certification system.
The notification further clarifies that the list of authorised agencies eligible to issue Certificates of Origin has been standardised and is available under Appendices 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E of the Handbook of Procedures. This ensures greater uniformity and clarity in the certification process across the country.
Importantly, the Government has strictly prohibited the manual issuance of Certificates of Origin outside the designated digital platform. Any such deviation from the prescribed procedure may lead to revocation of authorization granted to the concerned agency, thereby enforcing strict compliance with the new system .
The effect of this notification is that all authorised agencies must now exclusively use the designated electronic platform for processing and issuing Certificates of Origin. This reform is expected to significantly improve processing timelines, enhance traceability, reduce scope for discrepancies, and strengthen India’s trade documentation framework.
This initiative reflects the Government’s continued focus on digital governance, trade facilitation and improving ease of doing business, while aligning India’s trade practices with global best standards.
The Public Notice can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PN-01-English-dated-07.04.2026-signed.pdf
