Updated on June 09, 2025 06:06:30 PM
Proof of Origin (PoO) has become an essential part of international trade to determine whether goods are eligible for preferential tariffs under Free Trade Agreements. It means the official document or certificate confirming where imports or exports have been produced. In March 2025, India changed the Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Rules, often known as the CAROTAR Rules, replacing the term "Certificate of Origin" with "Proof of Origin" with is more. Previously, exporters primarily used to be depended on the Certificate of Origin (CoO), but with the recent amendments to the CAROTAR Rules in 2025, India has now augmented this concept by introducing Proof of Origin. This step helps India's trade compliance systems become more aligned with global standards and prevents misuses of free trade agreements.
The Proof of Origin can now include a wider range of documents than just a traditional certificate of origin, such as self-declarations by approved exporters. This is required for goods that are exported to countries with trade agreements with India, such as the India-UAE CEPA or India-Australia ECTA. The government's action also makes the verification procedures strict to avoid third-country routing and only allows duty benefits to eligible products. It is anticipated that proof of origin certificates will make the process simpler for compliant traders and discourage fraudulent claims. As global trade increases, it has become essential for exporters, importers and customs officials to learn about Proof of Origin, Professional Utilities helps your business ensure transparency and compliance with the law.
Table of Content
Proof of Origin is a legal document that confirms the country from which the exporting goods are manufactured. It is required as part of the Free Trade Arrangements to avail benefits from the tariffs on imports. India has recently replaced the "Certificate of Origin" with "Proof of Origin" in the CAROTAR Rules 2025 to cover a larger class of documents, such as declarations and supporting documents. This will stop the abuse of trade advantages and enhance the verification of customs. Importers must present valid Proof of Origin to Indian customs at the import stage to claim duty exemptions under preferential trade agreements.
The Proof of Origin documents vary based on the trade agreement and the rules set by the countries involved. They mostly include basic details about the products being exported such as the tariff codes, details of the exporter and importer, and the country of origin.
It proves that the goods being exported are not eligible for tariff reductions or exemptions under trade agreements between countries. It is used when there is no free trade agreement between the exporting and importing countries, or when the product is excluded from preferential treatment.
It indicates that the goods are eligible for reduced tariffs or duty-free access under a free trade agreement between countries. For example, exports between SAFTA countries of India-UAE trade agreement can use the preferential proof of origin to claim trade benefits.
Proof of Origin provides several benefits to businesses in international trade by making the compliance simpler, enhancing transparency and ensuring that only eligible goods get duty benefits.
India has introduced significant changes to the Customs Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements Rules, which are often referred to as the CAROTAR Rules. These changes have been in effect since March 18, 2025. The most significant change is the replacement of "Certificate of Origin" with the broader term “Proof of Origin” across the legal requirements.
This update lets importers make use of more than one standard certification to claim duty benefits under the Free Trade Agreements. For example, under the India-UAE and India-Australia trade agreements, importers will now be able to use self-declarations as valid proof that their goods are in compliance with the origin requirements. The Form I was also updated to reflect this change in terminology.
The amendment gives customs officers the ability to request additional documents when they are required to verify the origin of goods. This is specifically designed to stop the misuse of trade benefits when goods are routed through third countries. Although this update aligns India with global trade standards and practices, it also enhances the accountability of importers. To assist businesses with adapting to this new environment, experts suggest the government should issue clear guidelines on documentation guidelines and develop a process for raising concerns.
In India, Proof of Origin documents are issued by government-recognised bodies based on the type of export and trade agreement. These authorities make sure that products comply to the origin criteria requirements according to the applicable customs regulations or trade agreements. The main issuing authorities include:
To apply for a Proof of Origin, the following documents are to be submitted by the businesses along with the application form:
The process to obtain a Proof of Origin certificate ensures smooth verification of your goods for international trade. Exporters may follow the procedure listed below:
Create an account on the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal or any authorized government portal using a digital signature certificate or other valid authorization.
Provide required documents and information along with the application form as the proof of origin of your products.
The issuing authority will review and authenticate the origin by conducting an assessment and inspection through a risk management system.
After successful verification, the authority will issue the Proof of Origin certificate.
Note: As per agreed rules under the CEPA agreement, the proof of origin must be in the English language only, and must contain all the required details about the Product and the exporting entity.
The fee for Proof of Origin registration is Rs 3,208, including the professional fees charged for our consultation. The validity of Proof of Origin is up to 12 months from the date of issuance. Exporters may apply for re-issuance of the Proof of Origin once the validity period has expired.
| Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
| Government Fee | ₹708 |
| One-time Registration Fee | ₹500 |
| Application Fee | ₹2000 |
| Total Fee | ₹3208 |
| Validity of PoO | 12 months from the date of issuance |
If the Product meets the following criteria, it will be considered to have come from a contracting nation and be eligible for preferential treatment. Wholly Obtained Or Produced Products such as:
Note: Exporters are required to get a proof of origin for their products in order to verify their authenticity in accordance with the agreed trade agreement among the involved parties.
Conclusion
Proof of Origin is a crucial part of India's international trade system, as per the revised CAROTAR Rules 2025. By replacing the traditional Certificate of Origin with a more extensive variety of acceptable documents, the government aims to promote transparency in trade and stop the misuse of tariff benefits. This step will bring India's compliance system in alignment with global standards, allowing smoother trade with partner countries. Both the exporters and importers are required to know and obtain a valid Proof of Origin, as now its essential to access duty exemptions and avoid delays in customs. Being informed and in compliance is the key to gaining benefits from trade agreements. Professional Utilities will help you stay informed and compliant to keep getting benefits from trade agreements.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Proof of Origin is used to verify the manufacturing country of the product and assists importers in claiming duty exemptions under free trade agreements.
No, India has replaced the term Certificate of Origin with Proof of Origin in March 2025, under the CAROTAR Rules to cover a wider range of documents.
Authorized bodies such as the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Trade Promotion Council of India, and the Export Inspection Council issue Proof of Origin.
Proof of Origin is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the date of issuance and can be reissued after expiration.
Yes, approved exporters can use self-declarations under specific trade agreements such as India-UAE CEPA.
It is mandatory for export products between countries where tariff benefits are claimed under a trade agreement.
Products that are entirely or largely produced in a contracting country, like agri-products or marine items, are eligible.
Yes, non-preferential Proof of Origin may still be needed to prove the origin of the product even without tariff benefits.
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