ISCECA Certificate Registration - Process, Fees & Documents
The ISCECA Certificate is a Certificate of Origin issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in India. ISCECA signed on June 29, 2005, and implemented on August 1, 2005, is India's FIRST Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). This certificate ensures that the commodity that is meant to be exported is fully and authentically manufactured or produced in the originating country, which is India in this case, or the respective exporting country. To properly verify the goods, the exporter must adhere to regulatory procedures and submit multiple essential documents to the DGFT authorities to prove that the goods have been completely and legitimately manufactured in India. These documents typically include detailed records of manufacturing processes, raw material sources, and various production processes undertaken before final dispatch.
The necessity of obtaining a Certificate of Origin arises primarily to facilitate customs clearance in the designated importing country. In case the goods being imported into the destination country do not have a valid Certificate of Origin, the customs authorities of the importing country may impose higher taxes or additional duties on the goods as per their tariff policies. The Certificate of Origin serves as an important trade document, ensuring that the products qualify as duty-free and originate from a country that has an established free trade agreement with the importing nation. Additionally, it helps in safeguarding the interests of both countries by ensuring proper adherence to trade regulations, promoting transparency, and facilitating smoother international trade transactions.
ISCECA Certificate [Sample]
Process for ISCECA Registration
ISCECA registration involves obtaining the necessary documentation and certifications to claim preferential tariff benefits under the agreement. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Account ID Creation with Organisation-Based DSC : Create an account on the DGFT Trade Connect portal using Organisation-based Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) with embedded IEC.
- Online Application for Certificate of Origin : Log in to the portal and initiate an online application by selecting ' India Singapore CECA ' as the applicable trade agreement for export to Singapore.
- Complete Form with Appropriate Details : Fill in the application form accurately with product details including HS Code, FOB value, consignee information, and shipment details along with supporting documents.
- Upload the Necessary Documents : Attach all mandatory documents including Commercial Invoice, Purchase Bill with raw material origin details, Manufacturer Exporter Declaration, Product Description and Purchase Order from the importer.
- Issuance of ISCECA Certificate : Upon verification of the application and payment of the applicable fee, the Export Inspection Council (EIC) issues the ISCECA Certificate of Origin, valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
Documents required for ISCECA Registration
Documents required for ISCECA registration are as follows:
- 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
- Loading/transit/discharging port details
Fees for ISCECA Registration
The fees for ISCECA registration include a one-time registration fee, an application fee, and government charges, as detailed below.
| Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
| Government Fee | ₹708 |
| One-time registration fee | ₹500 |
| Application Fee | ₹2000 |
| Total Fee | ₹3208 |
Note: The aforementioned Fees is exclusive of GST.
What is ISCECA Certificate?
The India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ISCECA) Certificate of Origin, or ISCECA Certificate, is necessary for exporters to be eligible for tariff breaks during trade between Singapore and India. By lowering or doing away with customs taxes on qualified goods, this agreement aims to advance bilateral trade. It was also the first CECA signed between Singapore and a South Asian country. The ISCECA certificate serves as evidence that the exported goods are from India and adhere to the agreement's rules of origin.
Under the agreement, 81% of Singapore's exports to India are tariff-free, while approximately 75% of Singapore's domestic exports including electrical and electronic goods, pharmaceuticals, instrumentation, and plastics received duty elimination or significant reduction within five years. Exporters can increase trade opportunities, improve their company's visibility in Singapore, and save a lot of money by obtaining an ISCECA Certificate. The India-Singapore CECA encompasses four key areas of bilateral cooperation: Free Trade Agreement in goods with tariff elimination on majority of products, Singapore service providers gain enhanced market access in India in areas including finance, engineering, logistics, medical, R&D, and IT services, Promotion of Investment Flows and facilitation and Avoidance of Double Taxation.
Benefits of ISCECA Registration
India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ISCECA) offers following benefits to businesses involved in trade between India and Singapore.
- 81% of Singapore exports to India duty-free; 75% of Singapore domestic exports (electrical, pharma, instrumentation, plastics) eliminated/reduced within 5 years
- Capital gains tax exemptions
- Encourages bilateral investment
- Singaporean banks receive equal treatment as domestic Indian banks
- Joint postgraduate programs between IITs, Institutes of Science and Singapore universities
Eligibility for ISCECA Certificate
Products must satisfy the following rules of origin criteria to avail preferential tariff benefit under the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ISCECA):
Wholly Obtained Products: Goods entirely produced or obtained in India qualify directly for preferential tariff benefit. Wholly obtained products include minerals extracted from India soil or seabed, agricultural products wholly harvested in India, live animals born and raised in India, plants grown in India, products obtained from sea fishing by vessels registered in India, products obtained from factory ships registered in India, products extracted from the Indian seabed, recyclable materials recovered from used goods in India, and goods produced exclusively from any of the above.
Not Wholly Obtained Products: For goods manufactured using imported inputs, both of the following conditions must be satisfied:
- The value of non-originating materials must not exceed 60% of the FOB value of the final exported product meaning at least 40% of the value must originate in India;
- The non-originating materials must have undergone a change in tariff classification at the 6-digit level of the Harmonized System (HS) during production in India.
Other Free Trade Agreements
India has enhanced its market access commitments for neighbouring service providers. These commitments provide companies with an opportunity to build market expertise and grow by international expansion. Under Free or Preferential Trade Agreement there are multiple options where certificate of origin can be generated from India for import benefits to importing companies:-
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
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 2B of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. 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 |
Secure your ISCECA Certificate of Origin with Professional Utilities
The ISCECA Certificate has a very significant role in international trade for the confirmation of duty-free treatment of Indian goods under various agreements. As it ensures that a product is 100% made in India, the certificate helps clear customs more easily in the importing country. To obtain the certificate, exporters must meet document and fee regulations; the certificate is valid for a year. The ISCECA Certificate is an important component of the trade policies that India has adopted while agreeing on trade relations with many countries that support preferential trading and market access. It assists in compliance with the prepared rules and enhances the position of India in the intersectoral trading system, and businesses can also opt for IMCECA Certificate Registration to expand their trade opportunities under additional international agreements. Additionally, Professional Utilities provides complete support for obtaining various export certificates, ensuring a smooth and efficient registration process for businesses.
FAQ’s On ISCECA Certificate Registration
What is an ISCECA Certificate?
The India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ISCECA) Certificate of Origin, or ISCECA Certificate is India's FIRST Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). This certificate ensures that the commodity that is meant to be exported is fully and authentically manufactured or produced in the originating country.
Who needs an ISCECA Certificate?
Exporters trading between India and Singapore must obtain an ISCECA certificate (Preferential Certificate of Origin) to claim discounted or zero-duty customs tariffs on their goods. ISCECA certificate facilitates in availing exemption from standard global tariff rates.
How to register for ISCECA Certificate online?
To register for India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ISCECA) applicants must register their account on authorized registration portal, submit the online application form, upload required documents and requisite fees. Upon successful verification and approval by the issuing authority, ISCECA certificate is issued electronically and made available for download.
How much does an ISCECA Certificate cost?
The total cost of obtaining an ISCECA certificate is 3208 including government fees, application fee and one time registration fee.
Can exporters apply for an ISCECA Certificate online?
Yes, exporters can apply for an ISCECA certificate online. Eligible exporters must apply through the designated DGFT trade connect portal to apply for India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement certificate online.
Which products require an ISCECA Certificate?
All eligible products exported between India and Singapore, covered under the India-Singapore CECA require a Preferential Certificate of Origin to claim reduced or zero custom duties. To claim benefits under India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement products must satisfy the applicable rules of origin and other conditions as prescribed under the agreement.
Which authority issues the ISCECA Certificate in India?
Export Inspection Council (EIC) serves as the primary body responsible for the issuance of ISCECA certificates in India. Other boards such as MPEDA handle issuance of all seafood and marine products, whereas the spices board is responsible for issuance of certificates for spices and cashew nuts.
How long is ISCECA Certificate valid?
India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or ISCECA certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
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