Certificates of Origin serve as evidence of goods’ origin when they are imported into any country. A certificate of origin is crucial for exporters to prove where their goods come from and to claim any benefits goods of Indian origin may be eligible for upon arrival in the destination country.
Types of Certificate of Origin
Preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin are available.
Preferential Certificate of Origin
It is necessary to determine the national source of a product by using rules of origin. The importance of these factors is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions often depend on the source of imports. Under the following arrangement/scheme, India receives tariff preferences for exports:
- The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
- GSTP (Global System of Trade Preferences)
- SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement)
- APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement)
- The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)
- Free Trade Agreement between India and Thailand
- IMCECA (India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement)
- India and Korea have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and Japan (IJCEPA)
- Agreement on ASEAN-India Free Trade
In order to qualify for tariff preference, exports must meet the Rules of Origin specified in these preferential arrangements/agreements. The Authorised Agencies, for a fee determined by them, provide services related to the issue of Certificates of Origin, including information about the rules of origin, the list of items covered by an agreement, the extent of tariff preference, and the verification and certification of eligibility. One such agency is the Export Inspection Council (EIC).
Non Preferential Certificate of Origin
Non-preferential Rules of Origin are used to determine the “nationality” of goods when they enter a country. To prove non-preferential origin, the country of import may request a certificate of origin. Exporters who wish to obtain a non-preferential Certificate of Origin may submit the following documents:
- Quantity and origin of inputs and consumables used in export products.
- A copy of each invoice
- For each invoice, a duplicate packing list is provided
- The fee for each certificate should not exceed Rs.100 as determined by the concerned agency.
Prior to granting a Non Preferential Certificate of Origin, the concerned agency will ensure that the goods are of Indian origin.
Procedure for Obtaining Certificate of Origin
Permanent / Regular Shipment Basis
Obtaining a Certificate of Origin on a regular basis requires exporters to submit a permanent indemnity bond of Rs.50/- on stamped paper duly attested as follows:
The Director General
Federation of Indian Export Organisations
New Delhi.
Respected Sir/Madam,
As required by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, New Delhi and its Regional Offices, giving or authenticating Certificates of Origin, legalizing Invoices and other documents in respect of goods for exportation by (Names and Addresses of Shippers).
This is to certify that all particulars contained in invoices or other documents presented to the Federation in our name for certification, authentication, or legalization are true and accurate, and that we shall at all times, defend the Federation and its Officials against any claims and demands that may be made against them or any of them as a result of issuing, authenticating, or legalizing such certificates, invoices, or other documents.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature & Rubber Stamp of the Shippers)
Place:
Dated:
Witness 1 :
Witness 2:
Individual Shipment Basis
To obtain a Certificate of Origin for an individual shipment, exporters must furnish an indemnity bond of Rs.10/-, duly attested, in the format provided below:
The Director General
Federation of Indian Export Organisations
New Delhi.
Respected Sir/Madam,
In consideration of your signing the Certificate of Origin, and prices, at our request for the under-mentioned shipment to (place), which confirms that the goods are produced or manufactured in India and that the prices shown against them are correct, we agree to indemnify the Federation against any claim or demand made against the Federation in the future as a result of the certificate of origin and price being issued.
Marks No:
Description of goods:
Name of steamer:
Date of shipment:
Bill of lading:
Value of shipment:
Yours faithfully,
(Signature & Rubber Stamp of the Shippers)
Place:
Dated:
Witness 1:
Witness 2:
Documents Required for Obtaining Certificate of Origin
- For FIEO to issue Certificates of Origin/Certifications of invoices/packing lists, etc., send a letter of covering. In addition, the letter should confirm the accuracy of the information in the relevant documents.
- As mentioned above, an indemnity bond is required.
- An invoice for FIEO records containing the following declaration, along with nine copies of the Certificate of Origin:
- This invoice declares that the goods are of Indian origin and manufacture.
- It is also possible to submit 9 copies of invoices along with the above declaration if they are also required to be attested.
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