DGFT extends Deadline for e-filing of Non-Preferential CoO to 31 Dec, 2024 [Read Order]

A notice issued to all exporters and all designated issuing agencies by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and industry extended the date for mandatory electronic filing of non-preferential certificate of origin(CoO) through common digital platform to 31st December, 2024.

Read more: DGFT extends Export Ban on De-Oiled Rice Bran till March-End

Certificate of Origin – Non-Preferential

The Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO NP) certifies that the exported goods do not qualify for preferential tariff treatment, and the appropriate duties must be imposed on the shipped goods.

Digital Platform for CoO Issuance – CoO e-platform

The standardized digital platform serves as a centralized access point for obtaining Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO NP) related to all Free Trade Agreements, applicable to all agencies and products. This CoO e-platform aims to streamline the issuance process through a secure, electronic, and paperless system, benefiting exporters. All designated Certificate of Origin issuing agencies are mandated to utilize this portal.

Important Notice for Exporters

Applications for the Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin must be submitted through the e-COO platform to the designated issuing agencies. No manual applications for such a CoO will be accepted after 15.04.2021. However, any manual applications submitted before this date may still be processed by the issuing agencies.

Manual Submission of GSP CoO Applications

While applications for Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin must be submitted through the e-CoO platform from 15th April 2021, there is a transition period for CoO (NP) issuing agencies to adopt this common digital platform. Exporters are not immediately obligated to use the online platform, and the existing procedure of submitting paper CoO applications directly to the designated issuing agency will continue to operate concurrently. Submission and issuance of CoO (NP) by the issuing agencies through their paper-based system may continue until 31st July 2021 or until further notice.

Features of Online Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin Applications

The e-CoO system generates three sets of CoO leaves: electronic, original, and duplicate. The electronic copy bears the officer’s image signature and the issuing agency’s stamp, while the other copies lack the image sign and seal of the issuing agency. Exporters may opt to obtain wet ink signatures on the remaining copies, along with the stamp, if needed. As part of the online CoO (NP) application process, exporters can request attestation of supporting documents, and the signed copies may be collected by the applicant for submission to the importing country’s authorities.

Verification and Authentication

The authenticity of the online CoO (NP) can be verified through the displayed QR code on the certificate. Additionally, verification can be conducted by entering the certificate number at the provided link on the e-CoO platform.

Exporter Registration in Common Digital Platform

Exporters should note the following additional points for registering in the Common Digital Platform:

1. A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is required for electronic verification.
2. The digital signature must be Class II or Class III, with the IEC of the firm embedded.
3. New applicants need to register on the e-platform, and the password will be sent to the email and mobile number of the IEC holder.
4. IEC holders can update their email through the ‘IEC Profile Management’ service on the DGFT website.
5. Once registration is completed, IEC branch details will be auto-populated from the DGFT-IEC database.
6. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that updated IEC details are available in the DGFT system, and necessary steps should be taken for online modifications when required.

Documents Required for Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO NP)

The following documents need to be submitted to obtain the Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO NP):

The transition period for mandatory filing of applications for Non-preferential Certificate of origin through the e-CoO platform has been extended till 31st December, 2024.

The exporter and non preferential CoO issuing agencies of the FTP would have the option to use the online system. In the interim period, the existing systems of processing non preferential CoO applications in the manual/paper mode is permitted.

For guidance on registration and online system submission process, the help manual and the FAQ’s may be seen on the landing page at htttps:\\coo.dfgt.gov.in . The authorized issuing agencies are required to the exporting community and their constituents regarding the online e-CoO platform and its registration requirements and also encourage the exporters to use the online e-CoO platform.

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