Certificate of Origin
Certificate of Origin for preferential duty access under trade agreements.
Certificate of Origin (CoO) is an international trade document certifying that exported goods originate from India, enabling importers to claim preferential customs duty rates under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). India has FTAs/PTAs with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, SAARC, and bilateral agreements with UAE, Australia, and others, each with specific rules of origin criteria. For food exporters, CoO can reduce import duty at destination by 50–100%, making Indian products price-competitive. CoO is issued by authorised agencies including DGFT (for certain destinations), Export Inspection Council (EIC), FIEO, and chambers of commerce. Complianceer determines applicable FTA, verifies rules of origin compliance, and coordinates CoO issuance.
At a glance
- Timeline: 2–5 working days
- Government fee: ₹500–₹2,000 per certificate (varies by issuing agency)
- Professional fee: Starting from ₹1,999/certificate
Who needs this
- Food exporters targeting FTA partner countries (UAE, ASEAN, Japan, South Korea)
- Exporters wanting to offer duty-free or reduced-duty pricing to buyers
- Spice and processed food exporters to Middle East under India-UAE CEPA
- Organic and specialty food brands competing on landed cost in export markets
- Exporters whose buyers require CoO for their import clearance
Benefits
- Preferential customs duty at destination with 50–100% duty reduction under FTAs
- Price competitiveness in export markets vs non-FTA country suppliers
- Buyer requirement fulfilment. Many importers mandate CoO for customs clearance
- Access to specific FTA quotas and trade facilitation benefits
- Enhanced export competitiveness for Indian food products globally
Eligibility
- Product must meet rules of origin criteria under applicable FTA (typically 35%+ domestic value addition)
- Export must be to FTA partner country for preferential CoO
- Manufacturer/exporter must document production process in India
Documents
- Certificate of Origin application form
- Commercial invoice and packing list of export shipment
- Bill of lading / airway bill
- Manufacturing process certificate (proving Indian origin)
- Raw material sourcing details (for rules of origin compliance)
- IEC and export registration copies
- Product test report (if required by issuing agency)
FAQs
Which countries offer FTA benefits for Indian food exports?
UAE (CEPA), ASEAN (10 countries), Japan, South Korea, SAARC, Mauritius, Australia, and others. Each FTA has specific product coverage and rules of origin.
How much duty saving does CoO provide?
Varies by FTA and product. India-UAE CEPA reduces duty on many food products to 0%. ASEAN FTA provides 50–100% duty reduction on scheduled products.
Non-preferential vs preferential CoO?
Non-preferential CoO certifies Indian origin without FTA duty benefit. Preferential CoO (under FTA) enables reduced duty at destination. Choose based on destination country and FTA availability.