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In a decisive step to enhance transparency and streamline international trade, the Government of India has reinforced its mandate for the electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO), warning exporters and agencies against the use of manually issued certificates.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the ministry of commerce and industry, has issued Trade Notice reminding all stakeholders that any CoO issued outside the eCoO 2.0 platform (https://www.trade.gov.in) will be considered null and void after the prescribed deadlines. This directive builds on previous Trade Notices (dated December 26, 2023) and (dated December 20, 2024), which mandated the transition to digital certification for all export-related documentation.
Pharmaceutical exports play a vital role in India's economy, with the country being a leading supplier of generic medicines and vaccines to global markets. Ensuring compliance with international trade regulations is crucial to maintaining India's credibility and market access.
Despite extended transition periods, reports have emerged that some agencies continue to issue manual Certificates of Origin, bypassing DGFT’s eCoO 2.0 platform. The government has now issued strict warnings and outlined clear consequences for non-compliance.
Exporters must not accept manually issued CoOs after the stipulated deadlines, as they will be considered null and void. Indian Missions abroad are actively informing customs and trade authorities in partner countries, warning them that manually issued CoOs violate India’s trade regulations and may be rejected.
Exporters and trade bodies are encouraged to report any instances of non-compliance by agencies through tradeconnect-dgft@gov.in.
Agencies that continue issuing manual CoOs in defiance of these guidelines risk being delisted from the DGFT’s authorized agencies for CoO issuance.
This directive marks a major shift towards digital trade facilitation, ensuring transparency, reducing fraudulent documentation, and aligning India’s export processes with global best practices. Pharma exporters must ensure that all certifications comply with the eCoO 2.0 platform, as failure to do so may result in customs rejections, shipment delays, or potential loss of trade privileges in key markets.
As India continues to strengthen its regulatory framework, adherence to digital certification will be critical in sustaining the country’s leadership in global pharmaceutical exports.
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