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DGFT advances ease of doing business with open API facility for certificates of origin
Sep-08-2026

In a move to promote ease of doing business, The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has enhanced the digital ecosystem for exporters by introducing an Open Application Programming Interface (API) facility for the issuance and verification of Certificates of Origin (CoO) through the Trade Connect e-Platform. The facility is now available for use by eligible exporters and their systems.

The Open API facility enables exporters to integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting or other business software directly with the DGFT’s CoO system. 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 new facility enables electronic transfer of application data from the exporter’s system to the DGFT platform, thereby eliminating repetitive data entry, reducing errors and expediting the application process.

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 framework covers major trade agreements and certification schemes, including India-Japan CEPA, India-Korea CEPA, SAFTA, SAPTA, ASEAN-India FTA, India-Singapore CECA, India-Malaysia CECA, India-Chile PTA, India-Mercosur PTA, India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA, India-Oman CEPA, India-EFTA TEPA, India-UK CETA, the Generalized System of Preferences and the Non-Preferential CoO Scheme. The system automatically applies the relevant fields, origin criteria and validation rules based on the agreement or certification scheme selected by the exporter.


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