Certificate of Origin

A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an important international trade document that certifies that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country. They declare the ‘nationality’ of the product and also serve as a declaration by the exporter to satisfy customs or trade requirements. Almost every country in the world requires CO for customs clearance procedures: when determining the duty that will be assessed on the goods or, in some cases, whether the goods may be legally imported at all.

There are two types of Certificate of origin :

• Non-Preferential COs which certify that the goods are subject to no preferential treatment. These are the main type of COs that chambers can issue and are also known as “Normal COs”.

• Preferential COs, which certify that goods are subject to reduced tariffs or exemptions when they are exported to countries extending these privileges. These COs tend to be closely associated with Regional Trade Agreements.

Following are the schemes under which India receives tariff preferences:

1). Generalised System of Preference (GSP)
2). Global System of Trade Preference (GSTP)
3). SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA)
4). Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)
5). India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)
6). Indo-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (ITFTA)
7). India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (IMCECA)
8). India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
9). India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IJCEPA)
10). ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA)

Issuing Authority of Certificate of origin

A Certificate of Origin is issued by both the Indian Chamber of Commerce as well as Trade Promotion Council of India. This certificate issued by these two bodies is essential for exporters in India to prove that the commodities being exported are of Indian origin. It also proves that the commodity exported is wholly obtained, manufactured or produced in India.

Corporate Mitra provides support to get Certificate of Origin.

Documents required for Certificate of Origin Application:

- A cover letter for the issue of Certificate of Origin.
- Details of the product that is being exported (amount, origin etc.).
- Packing list in duplicate for the concerned invoice.
- One copy of the invoice with the following declaration: “We hereby declare that the goods mentioned in this invoice are of Indian Origin and manufacture.”
- Nine copies of the Certificate of Origin.
- Fee that is applicable per certificate.