Certificate of Origin in India: Digital Issue, Fees and Who Can Issue It
A Certificate of Origin (CoO) is often the paper that decides whether your buyer pays duty or less duty. Here is how it is issued in India now.
- CoOs are issued only through the DGFT digital platform (trade.gov.in), by agencies listed in Appendices 2B to 2E.
- Manual issue outside the platform is not permitted.
- A non-preferential CoO costs Rs 200 per certificate.
- Some manufacturer exporters can self-certify non-preferential origin.
- What is a Certificate of Origin and why do buyers ask for it?
- What kinds of CoO are there?
- Where do I apply, and who issues it?
- What does it cost, and how long does it take?
- Can I certify origin myself?
- What should I do before my next shipment?
- Which chamber or agency can issue it for my city and product?
What is a Certificate of Origin and why do buyers ask for it?
A Certificate of Origin states which country the goods come from. A buyer's Customs may use it to apply a lower duty under a trade agreement, or for rules on imports from certain countries. Some letters of credit also ask for it.
What kinds of CoO are there?
Para 2.90(b) of the DGFT Handbook of Procedures lists two types: preferential (for example under Free Trade Agreements, preferential trade agreements and GSP) and non-preferential.
Where do I apply, and who issues it?
Para 2.90(d) says all authorised agencies must accept applications and issue CoOs only through the DGFT digital platform at trade.gov.in. Manual issue outside it is not permitted and may lead to the agency's authorisation being revoked.
The agencies are listed in Appendices 2B (FTA and PTA certificates), 2C (GSP) and 2E (non-preferential), with 2D also referred to in the text.
What does it cost, and how long does it take?
For a non-preferential certificate, the Handbook gives a fee of Rs 200 for each CoO (para 2.93(c)(ii)). Applications go online to an agency listed in Appendix 2E, with the invoice and packing list uploaded. Preferential certificates are to be delivered within 24 hours or one working day of application (para 2.88(d)).
Can I certify origin myself?
Para 2.93(e) allows manufacturer exporters who are status holders to self-certify non-preferential origin, using the format in Annexure III of Appendix 2E. Check whether your buyer and your country of destination accept it.
What should I do before my next shipment?
- Apply on the digital platform through an agency on the DGFT list.
- Keep the commercial invoice and packing list ready to upload.
- Do not accept a paper certificate from an agency that is not on the list.
- Keep your origin proof (manufacturing records, raw-material invoices). The agency can ask for it.
Which chamber or agency can issue it for my city and product?
See Appendices 2B to 2E in the Handbook of Procedures, on dgft.gov.in. We can check the list for your city and product.
- DGFT: Handbook of Procedures, Chapter 2 (HBP 07/2026), paras 2.88 to 2.93
- DGFT: Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin
- DGFT: dgft.gov.in
Every fact here is taken from Government of India sources, as we read them on 12 November 2026. Please confirm against the original notification for your own shipment before you act. Rules change, and the right answer depends on your product, origin and destination.
Not sure how this applies to your shipment? Send us the product and the route. A call or a message is all it takes, and we are with you at every step of the way, whether you are importing or exporting.
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Multimodal Logistic Systems Pvt. Ltd., Pune, India. Written by Shankar Jha. We are consultants, not a law firm. This post is general information.