CERTIFICATE  OF ORIGIN

Certificate of Origin is an instrument which establishes evidence on origin of goods imported into any country.  These certificates are essential for exporters to prove where their goods come from and therefore stake their claim to whatever benefits goods of Indian origin may be eligible for in the country of exports.

There are two categories of Certificate of Origin – (1) Preferential and (2) Non-Preferential

Preferential arrangement/scheme under which India is receiving tariff preferences for its exports are:

  • Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)

  • Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP)

  • SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA)

  • Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)

  • India-Sri  Lanka  Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)

  • Indo-Thailand Free Trade Agreement

These Preferential arrangements/agreements prescribe Rules of Origin which have to be met for exports to be eligible for tariff preference.

Authorised  agencies on charging  a fee as  prescribed by them provides services relating to issue of Certificate of Origin, including details regarding rules of origin, list of items covered by an agreement, extent of tariff preference, verification and certification n of eligibility.

Export  Inspection Council (EIC) is agency authorized to print blank certificates.

Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)

It is a non-contractual instrument by which industrialized (developed) countries unilaterally and based on non-reciprocity extend tariff concessions to developing countries. Presently following countries extend tariff  preferences under their GSP Scheme:

(i)    USA  (ii)    New Zealand   (iii)   Belarus  
(iv)   EU (v)    Japan     (vi)   Russia   
(vii)  Canada (viii)  Norway (ix)  Australia (only to LDCs)   
(x)   Switzerland   (xi)   Bulgaria  

Normally Customs of GSP offering countries require information in Form ‘A’ (prescribed for GSP Rules of Origin) duly filled by exporters of beneficiary countries and certified by the authorized agencies.

List of agencies authorized to issue GSP Certificate of Origin is given at Appendix 4A to the Hand Book of Procedures vol.I

Global System of Trade Preference (GSTP)

Under  GSTP, tariff concessions are exchanged among developing countries who have signed agreement.  Presently 46 countries are members of GSTP and India has exchanged tariff concessions with 12  countries on a limited number of products.  Export Inspection Council (EIC)  is sole agency authorized to issue Certificate of Origin under GSTP.

SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA)

SAARC members namely  India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives offering tariff concessions among SAARC countries. List of agencies authorized to issue Certificate of Origin is given at Appendix 4B to the Hand Book of Procedures vol.I  (FIEO is one of the agencies authorized to issue Certificate)

Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)

APTA offers liberalization of tariff and non-tariff barriers in order to expand trade in goods in Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) region.  Presently Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, India and China are exchanging tariff concessions under APTA.  List of Agencies authorized to issue Certificate of Origin under APTA is given in Appendix 4B to the Hand Book of Procedures vol.I (FIEO is one of the agencies authorized to issue Certificate)

India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)

This Free Trade Agreement is between India and Sri Lanka which offers tariff concession by the Governments of both countries.  Export Inspection Council is sole agency to issue Certificate of Origin under this agreement.

India Afghanistan Preferential Trade Agreement

This preferential trade agreement is between  Governments of India and Afghanistan.  Export  Inspection Council is the sole agency to issue Certificate of Origin under this Agreement.

India – Thailand Frame work Agreement for Free Trade Area

India and Thailand have signed protocol to implement Early Harvest Scheme under India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement offering tariff preferences for imports on items of Early Harvest Scheme only to those products which satisfy Rules of Origin criteria notified by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance vide notification no 101/2004-Customs dated 31.08.2004.  Export Inspection Council is the sole agency to issue Certificate of Origin under this protocol.  

Certificate of Origin (non-preferential for exports to Mexico under NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement)

Following the implementation of NAFTA, the Government of Mexico introduced the obligatory certificate of origin rule in terms of which, the Certificate of Origin of Indian products to be exported to Mexico must be attested by designated officials of the authorised EPCs/Trade bodies/Chambers of Commerce or the authorities so empowered (FIEO is one of the authorised agency to sign the Certificate of Origin).

Non Preferential

Government have also nominated certain agencies to issue Non Preferential Certificate of Origin in accordance with Article II of International Convention Relating to simplification of Customs formalities,1923.  These Certificate of Origins evidence origin of goods and do not bestow any  right to preferential tariffs. 

List of  agencies authorized to issue Non Preferential Certificate of Origin is given in Appendix 4C to the Hand Book Procedures vol.I. (FIEO is one of the agencies authorized to issue Certificate)

Exporters desiring Non preferential Certificate of Origin may apply any agency enlisted in Appendix 4C to Hand Book of Procedures vol.I with following documents:

  1. Details of quantum/origin of inputs/consumables used in export product.

  2. Two copies of Invoices

  3. Packing List in duplicate for concerned invoice

  4. Fee not exceeding Rs.100 per certificate as may be prescribed by concerned agency.

The  concerned agency would ensure that goods are of Indian origin as per general principles governing rules of origin before granting Non Preferential Certificate of Origin.  The Certificate would be issued as per format given in Annexure II to Appendix 4C to the Hand Book of Procedures. It should be ensured that no correction/re-type is made on the Certificate.

In case of tea, exporters who are required to submit Certificate of Origin (Non Preferential) are to apply to Tea Board or any Inspection Agency authorized by Tea Board and enlisted in Appendix 4C of Hand Book of Procedures vol.I along with documents listed above.     

PROCEDURE FOR ISSUE OF CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

 

1.   CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN ON REGULAR BASIS

 

For obtaining Certificate of Origin on regular basis, exporters are required to furnish a Permanent Indemnity Bond on a stamp paper of Rs.50/- duly attested as per format given below :

 

“The Director General

Federation of Indian Export Organisations

New Delhi.

 

Dear Sir,

 

In consideration of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, New Delhi and its Regional Offices from time to time, giving or Authenticating Certificate of Origin, legalizing Invoices and other documents in respect of goods for exportation by

 

(Name and Address of Shippers)

 

We hereby certify that all particulars contained in Invoices or other documents presented to the Federation by us in our name for their certification or authentication or legalisation shall be true and accurately set forth, and further that we shall at all times, INDEMNIFY and keep indemnified the Federation and its officials against all claims and demands that may at any time be made against them or any of them by reason of issuing or authentication or legalisation of such certificates, invoices and other documents as aforesaid.                                                                     

Yours faithfully,

                       

(Signature & Rubber Stamp of the Shippers)

 

Place:

Dated:

 

Witness:   1. ______________

                2. ______________

     2.   CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN ON 

           INDIVIDUAL SHIPMENT BASIS

 

Exporters wishing to obtain Certificate of Origin on specific/individual shipment basis will be required to submit an Indemnity Bond on a stamp paper of Rs.10/- duly attested as per format given below :

 

“The Director General

Federation of Indian Export Organisations

New Delhi.

 

Dear Sir,

 

In consideration of your signing the Certificate of Origin, and prices, at our request for the under-mentioned shipment to (place), to the effect that the goods are the produce or manufacture of the Republic of India and that the prices shown against them are correct, we hereby agree to indemnify the Federation against any claim or demand that may at any time be made against the Federation by reason of the Certificate of Origin and prices having been so issued. 

Marks No.

Description

Of Goods

Name

of

Steamer

Date of Shipment

/ Bill of Lading

V

A

L

U

E

 

 

 

 

 

                                    Yours faithfully,

                         

(Signature & Rubber Stamp of the Shippers)

Place:

Dated:

 

Witness:   1. ______________

               2. ______________

 

3.    DETAILS OF CHARGES 

 

The schedule of charges (subject to revision without notice) are as under :

 

Particulars

For Members

For Non-Members

a. Certificate of Origin (8 copies)

b. Certification of Invoice (8 copies)

c. Additional copies (up to 8 copies)

d. Correction charges (per copy)

e. Certification of any other documents, like packing list 

    etc. (on per document basis)

f.  Proforma for Certificate of Origin (for 50 sheets)

Rs.  50/-

Rs.  50/-

Rs.  50/-

Rs.  10/-

Rs.  10/-

Rs.  50/-

Rs.100/-

Rs.100/-

Rs.100/-

Rs.  20/-

Rs.  50/-

Rs.  50/-

4.   DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED ALONGWITH APPLICATION 

  1. A covering letter to FIEO for issue of Certificate of Origin/Certification of copies of Invoices/Packing List, etc.  The letter should also indicate that the information furnished in the relevant documents is true and correct.
  2. Indemnity Bond.
  3. 9 copies of the Certificate of Origin duly completed along with one copy of the invoice for FIEO records having following declaration: 

“We hereby declare that the goods mentioned in this invoice are of Indian Origin and manufacture.”

In case copies of invoices are also required to be attested, 9 copies of the same may also be submitted with the above declaration.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER DETAILS/FORMATS, PLEASE CONTACT FIEO OFFICES

 

 

FIEO Home Page Federation of Indian Export Organisations
New Delhi, INDIA.