The current Online Platform for Preferential Certificate of Origin (‘CoO’) which has been designed as a single point access for applications and issuance of CoO covers only a few Free Trade Agreements (‘FTAs’) / Preferential Trade Agreements (‘PTAs’) such as the India-Chile PTA, IKCEPA, etc.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the DGFT vide Trade Notice dated 07 April 2020 has notified the following FTAs / PTAs and the partner countries, to apply and issue the CoO only through the designated online platform with effect from 07 April 2020:
FTA / PTA |
Partner Countries |
ASEAN – India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) |
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore , Thailand, Vietnam |
India Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IJCEPA) |
Japan |
SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA) |
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. (already Live for Nepal) |
Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) |
Bangladesh, China, Lao, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka |
India Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA) |
Sri Lanka |
It has also been clarified that the designated agencies will issue digitally signed electronic CoO (‘eCoO’) and no hard copies of the same will be provided. The Applicants may download the online certificates, which will maintain the same layout, appearance and validity as paper certificates.
Once normalcy resumes, the CoO so issued electronically will also be made available in hard copies.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this update is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal opinion or advice. Readers are requested to seek formal legal advice prior to acting upon any of the information provided herein. This update is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or corporate body. There can be no assurance that the judicial/ quasi judicial authorities may not take a position contrary to the views mentioned hereinrra quis.
Sign up for the Newsletter