APTA Certificate Registration - Process,Fees & Documents
The APTA Certificate is a Certificate of Origin issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in India. The DGFT-issued APTA Certificate ensures that the commodity that is meant to be exported is fully and authentically manufactured or produced in the originating or exporting country. In order to legally verify the goods, the exporter is required to produce multiple essential documents before the DGFT authorities to prove that the goods have been genuinely manufactured in India, complying with all necessary trade-related standards, rules, and regulations. The exporter must also provide evidence in the form of records and documentation of the manufacturing process and the exact origin of raw materials used in production.
The necessity of obtaining the APTA Certificate of Origin is mainly for ensuring smooth customs clearance in the designated importing country. In case the goods being imported do not possess a Certificate of Origin, the importing country’s respective customs authorities are likely to tax the goods at comparatively higher rates, imposing additional custom duties and levies, which could significantly raise the overall cost of the products. The APTA Certificate of Origin serves as a crucial trade document used by the importing country to ensure that the products fall under duty-free categories, confirming that the goods are rightfully originating from the country as per the terms of a free trade agreement. This certification helps in reducing tariffs, lowering costs, and promoting trade relations between countries by ensuring mutually beneficial and fair trade practices.
APTA Registration [SAMPLE]
Process for APTA Registration
APTA registration enables businesses to export goods under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, ensuring preferential trade benefits and smoother transactions. Here’s a step-by-step process:
- Step 1: Account Creation with DSC - Using the company's Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), create an account. This ensures verified and secure access to the online portal.
- Step 2: Online Application - Apply online for the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement's Certificate of Origin (CoO), which is the essential document needed for exports.
- Step 3: Fill Up the Form - Complete the application by providing accurate details about your company and products. Ensure all mandatory fields are filled correctly to avoid delays.
- Step 4: Upload Documents - Attach all required supporting documents, including invoices, product specifications, and registration certificates, for verification.
- Step 5: Issuance of Certificate - After review and approval, the APTA Certificate of Origin is issued, enabling exporters to access preferential trade benefits.
Documents required for APTA Registration
Here’s a list of important documents typically required for APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement) registration to ensure smooth processing.
- Organization based Digital Signature Certificate
- DGFT Login ID
- Updated Import Export Code
- Digital Signature Certificate software
- Mobile No. & Email address
- Commercial Invoice
- Purchase Bill that has details of quantity, origin of raw materials, consumables used in product meant for export
- Manufacturer Exporter Declaration on the company’s Letterhead
- Product Description
- Purchase order from importer company
APTA Registration Fees
The APTA registration fee in India is ₹3,500, which includes a ₹2,000 ID creation fee and a ₹1,500 certificate generation fee per invoice, which is mandatory for all applicants applying.
| Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
| ID Creation Fee | 2,000 |
| Certificate Generation per Invoice | 1,500 |
| Total Fees | 3,500 |
Note: The aforementioned Fees is exclusive of GST.
What is Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) Certificate?
The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) Certificate of Origin is a document that proves goods are made in a country that is part of APTA. This agreement includes countries like Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Mongolia, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. It helps these countries trade with each other by reducing taxes on selected products. If exporters have this certificate, it means their products meet APTA rules and can get lower taxes when exported to other APTA countries. The government gives this certificate, and it helps businesses sell their products at better prices in the Asia-Pacific region.
Benefits of APTA Registration
APTA (Asian Pacific Trade Agreement) registration provides businesses with various benefits that can enhance their trade prospects within the member countries. Some of the key benefits include:
- Reducing tariffs & trade barriers in preferred countries
- Promoting fair competition in the free trade states
- Ensuring equitable benefits to all Contracting countries
- Effective mechanism for joint administration & resolution of disputes
- Framework for regional cooperation and enhance mutual benefits for trade.
- Encouraging cross- border transactions between the territories of the Contracting counties.
Authorized Agencies in India for Issuing Certificates of Origin
In India, the authorized agencies responsible for issuing certificates of origin are clearly listed in Appendix 35 of the Handbook of Procedures, Volume-1, as per the Foreign Trade Policy. These are:
| Agreement | Agencies authorized to issue Certificate of Origin |
|---|---|
| Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) | Export Inspection Council (EIC); Export Development Authorities; Development Commissioners of EPZs and SEZs; FIEO |
| Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) | EIC for all products; Tobacco Board, Guntur for tobacco and tobacco products |
| India Afghanistan PTA | EIC |
| India ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement | EIC |
| India Chile PTA | EIC |
| India JAPAN CEPA | EIC |
| India Mercosur PTA | EIC |
| India Singapore CECA | EIC |
| India South Korea CEPA | EIC |
| South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) | EIC |
Four methods of supply under trade in services
The four methods of supplying trade in services are:
- Cross-border supply - This occurs when a service is provided from one country to another without the supplier or consumer moving. For instance, an architect sends designs electronically, a lecturer shares teaching materials abroad, or a doctor in France advises a patient in India online. This is similar to goods being traded across borders.
- Consumption abroad - This refers to a case where a consumer travels to another country to utilize a service. For instance, a tourist may stay in a hotel or eat at a restaurant abroad, or a ship goes for maintenance in another country.
- Commercial presence - This is where a service provider establishes a business in another country. For instance, a bank opens a branch in a foreign country to provide its services there.
- Natural persons - It includes the temporary movement of a person to another country to provide some form of service. Examples include doctors, engineers, consultants, and accountants working in another country for a short period. But in no way does it account for permanent residency or citizenship.
Other Free Trade Agreements
Check out other Free Trade Agreements India participates in to enhance trade opportunities and reduce customs duties.
ICPTA - India Chile Preferential Trade Agreement
SAFTA - South Asia Free Trade Agreement
SAPTA - SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement
IKCEPA - India Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
IJCEPA - India Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements
AIFTA - ASEAN India Free Trade Agreement
ISFTA - India Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement
APTA - Asia Pacific Trade Agreement
GSP - Generalized System of Preferences
GSTP - Global System of Trade Preferences
IMCECA - India Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
ISCECA - India Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
Conclusion
The APTA Certificate of Origin that is offered by the Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) acts as an assurance that export goods are both manufactured and produced in the originating country. This certificate is required for import clearance in the importing country to avail trade at less tariff under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement and affordable trade. Exporters need to present legal documents on origin as well as processing of the products to be exported. Some of the advantages APTA registration has include affordable trades that help in improving and bringing out better trade relations between the different members of the society.
FAQ's on APTA Certificate
How to get an APTA Certificate?
To get an APTA Certificate, register on the DGFT portal with a DSC, upload required documents like invoice and product details, and apply online. Once approved, download the certificate to avail duty benefits under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement.
What are APTA countries?
APTA member countries are India, China, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Lao PDR—they offer preferential tariff benefits under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement.
How is India placed globally in terms of its bilateral
FTAs/PTAs/
CEPAs/CECAs
India has preferential access, economic cooperation and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with about 54 individual countries. India has signed bilateral trade deals in the form of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) / Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) / Free Trade Agreement / Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with some 18 countries. India is a late & cautious, starter in concluding comprehensive PTA covering substantially all trade with some of its trading partners.
What are Rules of Origin (ROO) ?
Country of origin / Rules of origin (ROO) are the criteria
needed to
determine a product for purposes of international trade. Their significance
is
derived from the fact that duties & restrictions in several cases depend
upon
the source of imports.
Rules of origin are used:
- to implement measures and instruments of commercial policy such as antidumping duties and safeguard measures;
- to determine whether imported products shall receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment or preferential treatment;
- for the purpose of trade statistics;
- for the application of labeling and marking requirements; and
- for government procurement.
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