FTP Trade Notice No. 06/2026-2027, Dated 29-05-2026
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a Trade Notice notifying that, with effect from 01-06-2026, Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) for exports under the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) shall be issued electronically through the Trade Connect ePlatform.
The move seeks to digitise and streamline the issuance, authentication and verification of origin certificates for preferential trade benefits.
1. Electronic Issuance of Preferential CoO Through Trade Connect ePlatform
Under the Trade Notice, exporters seeking preferential treatment under the India–Oman CEPA will obtain Certificates of Origin electronically through the Trade Connect ePlatform.
The platform shall facilitate end-to-end digital issuance of origin certificates by authorised issuing agencies.
2. Digitally Signed Electronic Certificates of Origin (eCoO)
The Trade Connect ePlatform will enable the generation of:
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- Digitally signed electronic Certificates of Origin (eCoO); and
- Certificates embedded with QR codes
The digital framework is intended to improve authenticity, reduce manual processing and facilitate easier verification of certificates.
3. QR Code-Based Authentication and Verification
The electronically generated Certificates of Origin shall contain embedded QR codes to support:
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- Authentication of certificates
- Verification of origin credentials
- Faster validation by relevant stakeholders and authorities
This mechanism seeks to strengthen trust and reduce risks of tampering or fraudulent documentation.
4. Role of Authorised Issuing Agencies
The eCoO shall be generated by authorised issuing agencies through the Trade Connect ePlatform.
The system is designed to facilitate seamless issuance and standardised verification processes under the preferential trade arrangement.
5. Effective Date
The electronic issuance mechanism for Preferential Certificates of Origin under the India–Oman CEPA shall become operational from 01-06-2026.
Accordingly, exporters availing benefits under the agreement will be required to obtain certificates through the notified digital platform from the effective date.
6. Objective of the Trade Notice
The Trade Notice aims to digitise certificate issuance, improve efficiency in trade documentation and strengthen authenticity and traceability of preferential origin certificates.
By enabling digitally signed eCoOs with QR-based verification, DGFT seeks to facilitate smoother trade processes and enhance ease of doing business under the India–Oman CEPA framework.
