The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has introduced an Open Application Programming Interface (API) facility for the issuance and verification of Certificates of Origin (CoO) through the Trade Connect e-Platform. This facility enables exporters to integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting, or other business software directly with the DGFT's CoO system, eliminating repetitive data entry, reducing errors, and expediting the application process.
The facility supports both Preferential and Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin. Preferential CoOs are issued under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), enabling exporters to claim applicable tariff concessions in importing countries. Non-Preferential CoOs are issued for customs clearance, compliance, trade remedy, and other trade purposes without providing tariff benefits.
Three specific APIs have been made available: the Authentication Token API for secure login, the CoO File API for submission of applications and receipt of certificates, and the Certificate Verification API for verification of issued certificates. Exporters must obtain API credentials through the API Management section of the CoO Portal and register the IP addresses from which their systems will connect.
The system maintains a transaction ledger for each application, providing details of status including Draft, In Process, Approved, Certificate Issued, and Rejected. The ledger captures acknowledgement ID, file number, file date, and certificate number, enabling electronic tracking of applications.
Security measures include SHA-256 RSA digital signatures with 2048-bit X.509 certificates for data integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. Passwords are protected using PBKDF2 hashing with dynamic salt, and access is restricted to IP addresses whitelisted by the exporter. Each access token remains valid for 60 minutes.
The framework covers major trade agreements including India-Japan CEPA, India-Korea CEPA, SAFTA, SAPTA, ASEAN-India FTA, India-Singapore CECA, India-Malaysia CECA, India-Chile PTA, India-Mercosur PTA, India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA, India-Oman CEPA, India-EFTA TEPA, India-UK CETA, the Generalized System of Preferences, and the Non-Preferential CoO Scheme. The system automatically applies relevant fields, origin criteria, and validation rules based on the selected agreement or certification scheme.
Further details are available in Trade Notice No. 25/2026-27 dated 07 September 2026, and technical integration processes are documented on the Trade Connect e-Platform at https://www.trade.gov.in/pages/certificate-of-origin. Exporters, Export Promotion Councils, designated CoO issuing agencies, and trade bodies may contact the DGFT Helpdesk for queries and feedback.