The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched an Open Application Programming Interface (API) facility for issuing and verifying Certificates of Origin (CoO), allowing exporters to connect their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting and other business software directly with the government’s CoO system.
The facility will enable exporters to transfer application data electronically instead of entering the same information separately on the DGFT portal. This is expected to reduce duplicate work, minimise errors and speed up the certificate application process, the commerce ministry said in a statement on September 7.
At present, exporters are required to enter CoO-related details separately on the DGFT platform, even when the same information is already available in their business software.
The facility covers both preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin. Preferential CoOs help exporters claim tariff benefits under trade agreements, while non-preferential CoOs are used for customs clearance, compliance and other trade-related requirements.
DGFT has introduced three APIs for authentication, CoO application submission and certificate verification. Exporters can obtain API credentials through the CoO Portal and register their system IP addresses.
The system will also provide an electronic transaction ledger, allowing exporters to track applications from draft and processing stages to approval, issuance or rejection.
The facility supports both Preferential and Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin. Preferential CoOs are issued under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), enabling exporters to claim applicable tariff concessions in the importing country. Non-Preferential CoOs are issued for customs clearance, compliance, trade remedy and other trade purposes without providing tariff benefits.
The API facility is available through the Trade Connect e-Platform and covers several trade agreements, including the India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA, India-Oman CEPA, India-EFTA TEPA and India-UK CETA.
