How to Apply for Certificate of Origin (COO) on DGFT Portal

In the current international business landscape, export documentation must be correct and validated in order to facilitate the passage of goods over borders. The certificate of origin (hereinafter referred to as COO) is the foremost paper in this regard. The certificate affirms that the exported goods are actually being made or produced in India, and is generally needed to claim duty benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) or for export products.

To streamline the process, the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) launched a Common Digital Platform for issuance of COO where exporters can apply and get Preferential and Non-Preferential COOs easily. If you’re an exporter who’s looking to register for COO, the below available step-by-step guide will assist you access the DGFT portal with ease.

What is a COO?

What is a “Certificate of Origin”? It is issued by authorized bodies, and serves to allow customs in the importing country to know that goods receive duty preference upon their importation.

Online system of DGFT on this can fast track the processing of applications, provide greater transparency and cut down paperwork for Indian exporters.

What are the Documents required to Apply for COO?

Following documents are required prior to starting the process on DGFT portal

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Order / LC -To be confirmed by the buyer
• Export Product Details
• HS Code of the product
• Bill of Lading / Airway bill (if available)
• Manufacturing Declaration
• Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for    signing the application

For Applying for COO on DGFT Portal – Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Visit the DGFT COO Portal

Go to the COO-specific platform here:

Sign in with your DSC or User ID & Password. If you are a first-time exporter, please register with your IEC details first.

Step 2: Choose the Kind of Certificate

Select whether you need a Preferential COO (for FTAs/PTAs) or Non-Preferential COO.
COOs are issued by different bodies, choose the one for you depending on your specific need to export

Step 3: Enter Exporter’s Details

Majority of IEC and profile details are auto prefilled from DGFT system. Make sure that the company address, email, and contacts are accurate.

Step 4: Enter Shipment Details

Provide the following export information:

• Port of Loading
• Port of Discharge
• Destination Country
• Invoice Number & Date
• HS Code
• Product Description
• Quantity & Value

Make sure this information agrees with your invoice and packing list

Step 5: Upload Required Documents

Please submit the supporting documentation in a PDF format. Ensure the files are legible and readable.

Step 6: Sign and Send in the Application

Digitally sign the application using your Class 3 DSC. After it is received, the application gets sent to the issuing agency for confirmation.

Step 7: Track Application Status

You can follow the progress in “My Applications”.

On approval, the digitally signed Certificate of Origin may be downloaded from the portal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.What is a Certificate of Origin (COO)?

The Certificate of Origin certifies that the products sent are produced in India. Customs authorities in the importing country need it to check tariff advantages.

2.Who is the authority to issue Certificate of Origin in India?

COOs are certified by designated agencies including Export Inspection Agencies (EIA), Chambers of Commerce, Textile Committees and Marine Products Export Authorities among others through the DGFT online platform.

3.Whether DSC is mandatory for application of COO?

Yes. Signing and Submission of Online application: The online application shall be submitted through DGFT COO portal on the browser which is installed with Class 3 i.e., signing DSC.

4.What is the duration for obtaining the COO?

COOs are commonly completed within a couple of hours, depending on the issuing authority and document correctness.

5.Is it possible to be aware of my COO application status?

Yes. You can monitor the status quite conveniently under the “My Applications” Tab on the DGFT COO portal.

6.Can I apply both Preferential and Non-Preferential COO through online?

Yes. Both Preferential (FTA/PTA) and Non-Preferential COOs are available in the DGFT portal

7.Which document formats can I upload?

PDF format is preferred. Papers must be legible and within the specified file size limit on the portal