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DGFT notifies extension of Date for Mandatory Electronic Filing of Non-Preferential CoO

The Director General of Foreign Trade recently notified of the date extension of mandatory filing of electronic filing of non-preferential CoO (Certificate of Origin) through the common digital platform to October 31, 2021. The notification/circular regarding the same was issued to all exporters/members of trade and to all issuing agencies enlisted under Appendix 2E of the FTP.  Let’s discuss more on this development.

Synopsis of the DGFT’s circular: Electronic filing of non-preferential CoO

The DGFT, in its circular issued on October 18, 2021, informed that the electronic platform for Certificate of Origin (https://coo.dgft.gov.in), which was made live for issuance of preferential certificates under different FTAs, has now been expanded to facilitate electronic application for issuance of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin also.

Further, it informed that on the request of certain Chambers/Associations notified under Appendix-2E, the extant system of manual/paper-based submission and processing of non-preferential certificate of origin applications has been extended further up to October 31, 2021, only and the online system is not being made mandatory.

Further, those agencies that are notified under appendix 2E were asked to ensure that the on-boarding exercise is finished latest by October 31, 2021. Failure to do so will result in agencies being de-notified from appendix 2E.

The agencies concerned were asked to reach out through mail at the following mail ID- ddg2egov-dgft[at]gov[dot]in for any guidance or clarifications with respect to the on-boarding process. Further, the revised Appendix 2E, with the list of on-boarded agencies, will be notified after the said timelines.

Types of Certificate of Origin

There are two types of CoO that chambers of commerce can issue. They are as follows:

• Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin;
• Preferential Certificate of Origin.

Preferential Certificate of Origin

Preferential Certificate of Origin is provided towards goods subject to preferential tariff treatment in payment of duties. Such duties can be a reduction of the normal tariff,, or it can be complete tariff exemption. This situation arises in case where two or more nations come to a trade agreement entailing exemptions when goods are exported/imported among these nations.

Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin

Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin provides that the goods that are being exported are not provided any preferential tariff treatment, and the due duties should be levied upon the goods being moved.

Objective of the Certificate of Origin platform

The main objective of the Certificate of Origin platform is to extend an electronic and contact-less single window for the Certificate of Origin related processes.

Features of the online filing of Non-Preferential CoO applications

In case of online applications of Non-Preferential CoO, the e-CoO system would generate a set of three CoO leaves, including electronic, original and duplicate. The electronic copy will have the image signature of the officer and shall also contain the stamp of the issuing agency. There will not be any image sign and seal of the issuing agency in the other copies. Moreover, the exporter, wherever required, can choose to get the prints of these remaining copies duly signed in wet-ink by the issuing officer with the stamp of the issuing office.

As per this online application process of Non-Preferential CoO, exporters can opt to avail of the option of requesting attestation of the documents submitted with the application. The wet-ink signed copies, as well as the documents attested, can be collected by the applicant exporter through post or in-person in order for suitable submission to the authorities concerned in the importing country.

It may be noted that the authenticity of the online Non-Preferential CoO issued will be verified via the QR code shown on the certificate. The verification can also be completed by providing the certificate number at the verification link on the e-CoO platform.

Procedure to apply for Non-Preferential CoO through common digital platform

• From the common digital platform homepage, select the online exporter Registration and login option and then provide the credentials with the captcha and click on the login button.
• After logging in, the dashboard will appear from where choose the option- online Non-Preferential CoO. An application form will be displayed, provide all details required.
• Once the details are provided, upload the digitally signed documents and submit. It is worth mentioning here that DSC must be attached for uploading of documents and submitting application.
• Click on the preview certificate to see the draft CoO NP.
• Click on the payment option to begin the payment process.
• Once the application is submitted successfully, the exporter will get an alert in the form of SMS or email.
• Once the application is submitted, the common digital platform will generate existing set of copies of CoO NP with an additional copy.

Conclusion

DGFT notified that the extant system of manual/paper-based submission and processing of non-preferential certificate of origin applications has been extended further up to October 31, 2021, only, and the online system is not being made mandatory considering the request of certain Chambers/Associations notified under Appendix-2E. Further agencies, were asked to ensure that the on-boarding exercise is finished latest by October 31, 2021, that are notified under appendix 2E. Failure to do so will result in agencies being de-notified from appendix 2E.

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