How to Get a Certificate of Origin — Complete Guide for Exporters

A Certificate of Origin is a document that certifies where your goods were manufactured or processed. It sounds simple, but getting the wrong type of Certificate of Origin — or not getting one at all — can cost your buyer thousands of dollars in unnecessary duties, delay your shipment at the destination customs, or disqualify your goods from preferential tariff rates under free trade agreements.

For Indian exporters, the Certificate of Origin (CoO) is one of the most important documents in your export shipment. It determines whether your buyer pays the standard duty rate or a reduced rate under India's trade agreements with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, UAE, and dozens of other countries. The difference can be 5-15 percentage points — enough to make or break your price competitiveness.

This guide covers every type of Certificate of Origin, who issues them, how to apply, what Rules of Origin mean, and the mistakes that cause delays and rejections.

What Is a Certificate of Origin?

A Certificate of Origin is an official document that declares the country where the goods being exported were manufactured, produced, or processed. It serves three critical purposes:

1. Customs requirement. Many countries require a CoO as part of import documentation. Without it, the buyer's customs authority may hold the shipment or apply a higher duty rate.

2. Preferential tariff access. If India has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with the destination country, a preferential CoO entitles the buyer to reduced or zero import duty. This is the primary reason CoOs matter for Indian exporters — your price competitiveness depends on it.

3. Anti-dumping and trade defence. Customs authorities use CoOs to verify that goods are genuinely from the declared origin country and are not being trans-shipped through India to circumvent anti-dumping duties or trade restrictions on another country.

Types of Certificate of Origin

There are two broad categories: non-preferential and preferential. Understanding the difference is essential because applying for the wrong type is one of the most common mistakes exporters make.

Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin

A non-preferential CoO simply certifies that the goods originated in India. It does not entitle the buyer to any reduced duty rate — the buyer pays the standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty rate. It is a general-purpose document used when:

• The destination country requires a CoO as part of import documentation but India does not have a trade agreement with that country
• The buyer or their bank (in LC transactions) specifically requires a CoO
• The goods are being shipped to a country where India's trade agreement does not cover the specific product

Issued by: Chambers of Commerce (FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber, CII, local chambers) and FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations).

Preferential Certificate of Origin

A preferential CoO certifies that the goods originated in India AND meet the specific Rules of Origin criteria under a particular trade agreement. This entitles the buyer to reduced or zero import duty in the destination country.

Each trade agreement has its own specific CoO format and rules. You cannot use a generic CoO to claim preferential treatment — it must be the specific form prescribed under that agreement.

India's Major Trade Agreements and Their CoO Types

Agreement	Countries Covered	CoO Form	Duty Benefit
SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area)	Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan	SAFTA CoO	Reduced/zero duty on specified products
AIFTA (ASEAN-India Free Trade Area)	Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei	AI-FTA CoO	Significant duty reductions on most goods
India-Japan CEPA	Japan	IJCEPA CoO	Reduced/zero duty on specified products
India-South Korea CEPA	South Korea	IKCEPA CoO	Reduced/zero duty on specified products
India-UAE CEPA	UAE	India-UAE CEPA CoO	Reduced/zero duty on specified products
India-Australia ECTA	Australia	IndAus ECTA CoO	Reduced/zero duty on specified products
India-Mauritius CECPA	Mauritius	CECPA CoO	Duty preferences on specified products
GSTP (Global System of Trade Preferences)	43 developing countries	GSTP CoO	Modest duty reductions
SAPTA (South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement)	SAARC countries	SAPTA CoO	Preferential rates on specified products
Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)	China, South Korea, Bangladesh, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia	APTA CoO	Duty reductions on specified products
India-Thailand Early Harvest	Thailand	India-Thailand EHS CoO	Duty elimination on 82 items

GSP (Generalised System of Preferences): Many developed countries — including the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Norway — offer reduced duties on imports from developing countries like India under GSP. The EU GSP requires a self-certification system called REX (Registered Exporter System), while other countries may require Form A or equivalent documentation. Note that the USA suspended India from its GSP programme in 2019, so GSP benefits do not apply for US-bound exports.

Use the Duty Calculator to check what duty rates apply for your product in specific destination countries, and whether a preferential CoO would reduce them.

Who Issues Certificates of Origin?

For Non-Preferential CoOs

Any of the following recognised chambers and bodies can issue non-preferential CoOs:

Issuing Authority	Coverage	How to Register
FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry)	National	Apply online at ficci.in
ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India)	National	Apply online at assocham.org
PHD Chamber of Commerce	National with North India focus	Apply at phdcci.in
CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)	National	Apply at cii.in
FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations)	National — specifically for exporters	Apply at fieo.org
Local/regional chambers	City or state level	Contact directly

Cost: Typically Rs 200-500 per certificate for members, Rs 500-1,000 for non-members. Annual membership with a chamber costs Rs 5,000-25,000 depending on the chamber and membership tier.

Turnaround: Same day to 1-2 working days.

For Preferential CoOs

Preferential CoOs are issued exclusively by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or its authorised agencies. This is because preferential CoOs are government-to-government instruments — the destination country's customs authority trusts them because they are issued by the Indian government, not a private body.

Important: You cannot get a preferential CoO from a chamber of commerce. Only DGFT-designated agencies can issue them.

For most trade agreements, the issuing authority is:

• DGFT regional offices (also called Regional Authorities)
• EIA (Export Inspection Agency) for certain agreements
• Textile Committee for textile products under specific agreements

The DGFT has designated specific agencies for each agreement. Check the relevant trade agreement notification on dgft.gov.in for the exact issuing authority.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Get a Non-Preferential CoO

Step 1: Register with a Chamber of Commerce

Choose a chamber of commerce and take membership. You will need:

• IEC (Import Export Code) — see the IEC guide if you do not have one
• Company PAN card
• GST registration certificate
• Business registration documents (Certificate of Incorporation, partnership deed, etc.)
• Membership fee payment

Most chambers offer online registration. FIEO is a good choice if you want a body specifically focused on exporters — your FIEO membership also serves as your RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate).

Step 2: Submit CoO Application

After registration, submit a CoO application for each shipment. You will need:

Document	Details
Commercial invoice	Final invoice for the shipment
Packing list	Detailed packing list with weights and quantities
Bill of lading or airway bill	Transport document (or draft if not yet shipped)
Shipping bill	Customs export declaration
Declaration of origin	A signed declaration that goods were manufactured/processed in India
Manufacturing details	Brief description of the manufacturing process (for some chambers)

Step 3: Verification and Issuance

The chamber verifies your documents, checks that the goods described are consistent with Indian origin, and issues the CoO. This usually takes 1-2 working days. Some chambers offer same-day service for an additional fee.

Step 4: Collect or Download

Many chambers now offer digital CoO issuance. You can download the signed and stamped CoO as a PDF. For countries that require a physical original, collect the stamped hard copy from the chamber.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Get a Preferential CoO

Getting a preferential CoO involves more steps because you must demonstrate that your goods meet the Rules of Origin criteria under the relevant trade agreement.

Step 1: Register on the DGFT Portal

Visit dgft.gov.in and log in with your DGFT credentials (the same account you used for your IEC). Navigate to Services → Certificate of Origin → Register as Exporter.

You will need to register separately for each trade agreement under which you want to claim preferential treatment. For example, if you export to both UAE (under India-UAE CEPA) and Vietnam (under AIFTA), you need to register under both agreements.

Step 2: Determine Your Product's Eligibility

Not all products are covered under every trade agreement. Check the agreement's tariff schedule to confirm:

• Your product's HS code is listed in the agreement's concession list
• The duty reduction applicable to your specific HS code
• The Rules of Origin criteria for your product

Use the HS Code Finder to identify the correct HS code for your product. Then check the specific trade agreement's schedule on the Department of Commerce website (commerce.gov.in) or DGFT portal.

Step 3: Ensure You Meet Rules of Origin

This is the most critical step. Rules of Origin are the criteria your product must meet to qualify as "originating" in India. The three main types of rules are:

Value Addition / Regional Value Content (RVC): The product must have a minimum percentage of value added in India. Most agreements require 35-40% domestic value addition. Calculate it as:

RVC = (FOB price - value of non-originating materials) / FOB price x 100

If your FOB price is Rs 1,000 and you used Rs 500 worth of imported raw materials, your RVC is 50% — which meets most thresholds.

Change in Tariff Classification (CTC): The finished product must have a different HS code (typically at the 4-digit or 6-digit level) from the imported raw materials used. For example, if you import raw cotton (HS 5201) and export cotton fabric (HS 5208), the tariff classification has changed, so the product qualifies.

Product-Specific Rules (PSR): Some products have specific rules that override the general criteria. For example, certain processed food products may require that all primary ingredients be sourced from India, regardless of value addition percentage. Check the product-specific rules in the relevant trade agreement's annex.

Cumulation rules: Some agreements allow you to count value added in other member countries. For example, under AIFTA, materials sourced from other ASEAN countries or India can be cumulated to meet the origin threshold.

Step 4: Submit Application on DGFT Portal

Log in to the DGFT portal, navigate to Services → Certificate of Origin → Apply for CoO, and select the relevant trade agreement. Fill in:

• Exporter details (auto-populated from your registration)
• Consignee details (buyer's name and address in the destination country)
• Product details: HS code, description, quantity, value
• Origin criteria met: specify whether you are claiming RVC, CTC, PSR, or wholly obtained
• Invoice number and date
• Shipping bill number (if already filed)
• Transport details (vessel name, port of loading, port of discharge)

Upload supporting documents:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Shipping bill (or draft)
• Bill of lading (or draft)
• Cost calculation sheet (if claiming RVC)
• Manufacturing process declaration

Step 5: Pay the Fee

The fee for a preferential CoO through DGFT is nominal — typically Rs 200-500 per certificate.

Step 6: Verification and Issuance

DGFT or the designated agency reviews your application. If everything is in order, the CoO is issued within 1-3 working days. For time-sensitive shipments, some DGFT offices offer expedited processing.

The preferential CoO will be in the specific format prescribed by the relevant trade agreement. It includes a unique certificate number that the destination country's customs can verify.

Step 7: Include in Shipment Documents

Send the original CoO (or certified copy, depending on the agreement's requirements) along with your other export documents — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any product-specific certificates.

Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCoO)

India has been progressively moving to electronic CoO issuance to reduce paperwork and speed up the process.

DGFT's eCoO system:

• Preferential CoOs can be applied for and issued electronically through the DGFT portal
• The eCoO is digitally signed and can be verified online by the destination country's customs
• Some trade agreements (notably India-Singapore) have moved to fully electronic CoO exchange between customs authorities

Chamber eCoO:

• Major chambers like FICCI and FIEO now offer online CoO application and digital issuance
• The digital CoO has a QR code or verification number that the destination customs can validate online

Benefits of eCoO:

• Faster processing (often same day)
• No need to physically visit the chamber or DGFT office
• Easier to include in digital document packages for buyers and banks
• Reduced risk of document loss or damage

Not all countries accept electronic CoOs yet. Check with your buyer or freight forwarder whether the destination country accepts digital CoOs or requires physical originals.

Rules of Origin — A Deeper Look

Understanding Rules of Origin is essential because a CoO will be rejected by the destination customs if your product does not actually meet the origin criteria. Here are the detailed rules:

Wholly Obtained Products

Products that are entirely grown, harvested, extracted, or manufactured in India from Indian materials qualify automatically. Examples:

• Agricultural products grown in India (rice, wheat, spices, fruits)
• Minerals extracted from Indian soil
• Fish caught by Indian vessels in Indian waters
• Goods manufactured entirely from Indian raw materials

Substantially Transformed Products

Products that use some imported raw materials but undergo substantial transformation in India. The "substantial transformation" test varies by agreement:

Origin Criterion	What It Means	Example
Value Addition (RVC 35-40%)	At least 35-40% of the FOB value must be added in India	Importing fabric worth Rs 600, making garments sold FOB at Rs 1,000 = 40% value addition
Change in Tariff Heading (CTH)	Product must change HS code at 4-digit level from inputs	Importing leather (HS 4107) → manufacturing bags (HS 4202)
Change in Tariff Sub-heading (CTSH)	Product must change HS code at 6-digit level from inputs	A less strict version of CTH
Specific process	Certain manufacturing processes must be performed in India	Chemical reaction, assembly, finishing — varies by product

De Minimis Rule

Most agreements have a "de minimis" provision allowing a small percentage (typically 10%) of non-originating materials that do not satisfy the CTC rule. This prevents CoO rejection for minor inputs.

Cumulation

Some agreements allow cumulation — counting value added in partner countries toward the origin threshold:

• Bilateral cumulation: Materials from the partner country count as originating (e.g., under India-Japan CEPA, Japanese inputs count as originating)
• Diagonal cumulation: Materials from any member of the agreement count (e.g., under AIFTA, materials from any ASEAN country count)

Direct Consignment Rule

Most trade agreements require that goods be shipped directly from India to the destination country. If goods transit through a third country, they must remain under customs supervision and not undergo any processing. A through bill of lading or a non-manipulation certificate from the transit country's customs may be required.

CoO for Specific Situations

Re-exports

If you are re-exporting goods that were imported into India without substantial processing, they do not qualify for an Indian Certificate of Origin. The CoO must reflect the actual country of origin, not the country of last export.

Third-party Invoicing

Some trade agreements allow third-party invoicing — where the invoice is issued by a company in a third country (e.g., a trading company in Singapore), but the goods ship directly from India to the buyer. The CoO still shows India as the origin, but the "invoicing party" box will show the third-country entity. Check whether the specific agreement permits this.

Back-to-back CoO

In some agreements, if goods are shipped through a member country (e.g., shipping to Cambodia via Singapore under AIFTA), the transit country can issue a "back-to-back" CoO based on the original Indian CoO. This is useful for hub-and-spoke distribution models.

Timeline and Costs Summary

Item	Non-Preferential CoO	Preferential CoO
Issuing authority	Chambers of Commerce, FIEO	DGFT, designated agencies
Registration	Chamber membership (Rs 5,000-25,000/year)	Free (on DGFT portal with existing IEC login)
Fee per certificate	Rs 200-1,000	Rs 200-500
Processing time	Same day to 2 working days	1-3 working days
Documents needed	Invoice, packing list, shipping bill	Invoice, packing list, shipping bill, cost sheet, origin declaration
Validity	Specific to the shipment	Typically 12 months from date of issue

Common Mistakes That Cause CoO Problems

Applying for the wrong type of CoO. If your buyer needs preferential treatment under AIFTA, a non-preferential CoO from a chamber of commerce will not work. The buyer's customs will deny the preferential rate. Always confirm which type of CoO your buyer needs.

Not meeting Rules of Origin. You apply for a preferential CoO, but your product uses 70% imported raw materials with only 30% value addition in India. If the agreement requires 35% RVC, your CoO claim will be invalid. Calculate your value addition before applying.

Incorrect HS code on the CoO. The HS code on your CoO must match the HS code on your commercial invoice, shipping bill, and the buyer's import declaration. A mismatch — even at the 6-digit or 8-digit level — can trigger rejection. Use the HS Code Finder to verify the correct code.

Last-minute applications. Applying for a CoO the day before shipment leaves no room for queries or corrections. Apply at least 3-5 working days before the vessel sailing date. For preferential CoOs involving DGFT, give yourself a full week.

Not keeping records. Customs authorities in the destination country can conduct post-clearance verification of CoOs — sometimes years after the shipment. Maintain records of your manufacturing process, raw material sourcing, cost calculations, and all supporting documents for at least 5 years.

Forgetting the direct consignment rule. If your goods transit through a third country (e.g., transshipped via Colombo or Singapore), ensure they remain under customs bond and are not processed. Carry a through bill of lading or transit certificate to prove direct consignment.

Misunderstanding back-to-back shipments. If you ship to a distributor in one country who re-exports to another, the CoO from India may not be valid for the final destination. Each leg may need its own documentation.

Key Takeaways

• A Certificate of Origin certifies where goods were manufactured — it is essential for customs clearance and preferential duty rates
• Non-preferential CoOs are issued by chambers of commerce and FIEO — they certify Indian origin but do not give duty benefits
• Preferential CoOs are issued by DGFT and give your buyer reduced or zero duty under India's trade agreements (AIFTA, India-UAE CEPA, India-Japan CEPA, SAFTA, etc.)
• Always check if your product qualifies under the Rules of Origin — value addition, change in tariff classification, or product-specific rules
• Apply on the DGFT portal for preferential CoOs — registration is free if you already have an IEC
• Apply at least 3-5 working days before shipment to avoid last-minute problems
• The HS code on the CoO must match all other export documents — verify using the HS Code Finder
• Keep manufacturing and cost records for at least 5 years — destination customs can verify CoOs retroactively
• Use the Duty Calculator to check whether a preferential CoO will actually reduce duties for your buyer in a specific country — this information strengthens your pricing negotiations