India-EFTA Certificate of Origin Registration - Process & Requirements

The EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Certificate of Origin is required to certify the origin of goods exported to EFTA member countries. Here are the general documents required for obtaining the EFTA Certificate of Origin:

Fee structure for India-EFTA Registration with the help of Professional Utilities is as follows:

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The EFTA registration is a Certificate of Origin for goods and services agreed upon in the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed between India and four European countries under the European Free Trade Association. India has signed the EFTA TEPA after 16 years of negotiation with the respective members of the association. The USD 100 billion FDI commitment and 1 million jobs target make the India-EFTA TEPA globally significant and distinguish it from India's other trade agreements. EFTA's objective is to provide a balanced level playing field for Indian exporters in the European market.

Effective October 1, 2025, DGFT operationalized electronic issuance of the Preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO) under India-EFTA TEPA via the Trade Connect ePlatform. Subsequently, DGFT Public Notice No. 29/2025-26 dated October 28, 2025, inserted sub-para 2.91(e) in the Handbook of Procedures 2023, enabling exporters to obtain the Certificate of Origin through self-declaration in addition to the agency-issued route, with no government fee applicable for self-declaration applications.

Proof of Origin involves providing documentation or evidence that establishes the origin or place of manufacture of a product or goods. This is often a requirement in international trade to confirm the country of origin of the items being traded.

Exporters are required to give evidence of the product's origin under India-EFTA TEPA by either of the following two modes:

• Mode 1: Self-Declaration by the Exporter Exporters may self-declare the origin of their goods by selecting "India EFTA TEPA (Self-Declaration)" on the DGFT Trade Connect ePlatform. Authentication via Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar e-sign is mandatory. No government fee is applicable under this mode. Upon submission, the application is auto approved and the exporter may generate both an electronic copy and a physical copy of the certificate.
• Mode 2: Agency-Issued Certificate of Origin Exporters may obtain a Preferential Certificate of Origin through a notified authorized agency by selecting "India EFTA TEPA (Agency Issued)" on Trade Connect. Authorized agencies include the Export Inspection Council (EIC), APEDA, MPEDA, Textile Committee, Spices Board, Tobacco Board, Coir Board, Central Silk Board, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), and notified Special Economic Zones (SEZs). An electronic certificate with the agency's digital signature and stamp is issued upon approval.

Rules of certificate of origin are the criteria used to determine the country of origin of a product being exported. They are established through an agreement between the signatory parties of a trade agreement and serve as a basis for determining whether a product is eligible for preferential treatment.

By establishing rules of origin, signatory parties aim to ensure fair and transparent trade between their countries and prevent fraud or abuse of the trade agreement's provisions.

• Wholly Obtained products
• Value-added Criteria for products
• Change in headers & subheadings
• Change in the harmonised system (HS)
• Final production before export must be done in the exporting country
• Sharing specific product details with authorities to comply with preferential treatment
• The item has undergone adequate working or manufacturing according to the Product specific rules (PSR).

India-EFTA Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO) is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. A new CoO must be generated for every new consignment, and the certificate cannot be renewed.

The issuance timeline for the India–EFTA Certificate of Origin is within five working days from the date of export. Eligible exporters can obtain India-EFTA CoO through the Trade Connect ePlatform. The certificate is issued within five working days from the date of export.

There is no specific renewal process for India-EFTA CoO and a fresh electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CoO) is generated for each export consignment which is non-renewable for future shipments.

India EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) implemented on 1st October 2025, covers exports to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) entered into force on 1 October 2025, facilitating preferential trade between India and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. To implement the agreement, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) operationalised the electronic issuance of the Preferential Certificate of Origin (e-CoO) through the Trade Connect ePlatform with effect from 1 October 2025 under Trade Notice No. 13/2025–2026.

DGFT Public Notice No. 29/2025-26 dated 28 October 2025 formally incorporated the India-EFTA TEPA into the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 under Para 2.88(a) and introduced self-declaration as a permitted CoO route under Para 2.91(e). Since entry into force, 7,885 Certificates of Origin have been issued, with the agreement covering 92.2% of tariff lines encompassing 99.6% of India's exports to EFTA countries.

If the Product meets the following criteria, it will be considered to have come from a contracting nation and be eligible for preferential treatment.

1. Wholly Obtained & Produced Products
2. Live animals
3. Agri products
4. Products made of animals
5. Products made of Marine animals
6. Products made of natural resources
7. Product produced in the territory of the country exclusively
8. Products have undergone sufficient working or production according to the Product Specific Rules

The main advantage of this agreement is that it facilitates the exchange of goods and services between the two nations. This, in turn, has the potential to increase trade and economic growth.

• Tariff Reduction- Reducing tariffs & trade barriers in preferred countries
• Cross-Border Trade- Encouraging cross-border transactions between the territories of the Contracting counties
• Fair Competition- Promoting fair competition in the free trade states
• Equitable Benefits- Ensuring equitable benefits to all Contracting countries
• Dispute Resolution- An effective mechanism for joint administration & resolution of disputes
• Regional Cooperation- Framework for regional cooperation and enhance mutual benefits for trade

India-EFTA TEPA also includes dedicated chapters on trade and sustainable development, with parties committed to environmental protection, labour standards, and the Paris Agreement on climate change, supported by a permanent sub-committee on sustainability.

Explore the key responsibilities of exporters under EFTA to ensure seamless trade compliance and smooth international transactions:

• The exporters are responsible for providing the required documents during the certification process.
• Exporters proving misleading information and documents are liable to be punished or penalized.
• Exporters need to keep minimum information & supporting documents of their products for 5 years from the expiry date of their certificate.
• The exporter shall keep appropriate accounting records of the production supply of the products.
• The exporter shall notify the issuing authority, customs authority, and the importer of any chances that could affect the accuracy or validity.

Understand the risks of non-compliance and the penalties involved to safeguard your business and maintain trade integrity:

1. Customs duties will be charged if the Product's certificate of origin shows that it doesn't meet the rules of origin.
2. Each Party must also ensure civil and administrative laws are to be followed. When necessary, it will use criminal punishments for people who break its customs laws.

Check out other Free Trade Agreements India participates in to enhance trade opportunities and reduce customs duties.

EFTA Registration process is designed to uphold the integrity and quality of Indian exports, foster trust among trading partners, and simplify customs procedures within the EFTA region. By obtaining the EFTA Registration, Indian merchants and exporters can access lucrative markets and enhance their competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Registration for EFTA not only facilitates easier trade but also ensures compliance with international standards. Professional Utilities facilitate EFTA registration, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free application process. Businesses looking to expand into other international markets can also explore the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to leverage preferential trade benefits and unlock new export opportunities with expert compliance support.