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. Introduced on 7 September 2026, the facility enables eligible exporters to integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting or other business software directly with the DGFT’s CoO system, thereby eliminating repetitive data entry, reducing errors and expediting the application process.

What is a Certificate of Origin?

• Proof of Origin: Certifies the country of origin of exported goods for trade and customs purposes.
• Preferential CoO: Issued under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) to enable exporters to claim tariff concessions.
  • Example: India–UAE CEPA and India–Australia ECTA.
• Non-Preferential CoO: Used for customs clearance, compliance, trade remedy and other trade purposes without providing tariff benefits.

Key Features of the Open API Facility

• Direct ERP Integration: Enables electronic transfer of CoO application data from exporters’ ERP, accounting or other business software directly to the DGFT platform.
  • Example: Eliminates the need to separately enter information already available in the exporter’s business software.
• Three APIs: Provides Authentication Token API for secure login, CoO File API for application submission and certificate receipt, and Certificate Verification API for verification of issued certificates.
• Application Tracking: Maintains a transaction ledger recording application status from Draft and In Process to Approved, Certificate Issued or Rejected.
  • Example: The ledger captures acknowledgement ID, file number, file date and certificate number.
• Automated Validation: Automatically applies relevant fields, origin criteria and validation rules based on the selected agreement or certification scheme.
  • Example: Covers agreements such as ASEAN–India FTA, India–Japan CEPA and India–UAE CEPA.
• Multi-layered Security: Uses SHA-256 RSA digital signatures, 2048-bit X.509 certificates, PBKDF2 hashing, IP whitelisting and 60-minute access tokens to ensure secure information exchange.

Benefits for India’s Foreign Trade

• Reduces Repetitive Data Entry: Enables direct transfer of information from exporters’ existing business software to the DGFT platform.
• Minimises Errors: Reduces errors arising from re-entering CoO-related information manually.
• Speeds Up Applications: Electronic transfer of application data helps expedite the CoO application process.
• Improves Tracking: Transaction ledgers allow exporters to electronically monitor application status and certificate details.
• Facilitates Trade Compliance: Automated application of origin criteria and validation rules supports compliance with multiple trade agreements and certification schemes.

Challenges

• System Integration: Exporters need to integrate their ERP/accounting systems with the DGFT CoO system.
• Technical Registration: Exporters must obtain API credentials and register the IP addresses from which their systems will connect.
• Cybersecurity Requirements: API-based data exchange requires secure management of digital signatures, certificates, passwords and access tokens.
• Data Accuracy: Errors in data maintained in exporters’ business software can affect the information transferred to the DGFT system.
• Multiple Agreement Rules: Exporters dealing with different agreements need to comply with different origin criteria and validation rules.

Way Forward

• Technical Guidance: Ensure exporters have access to the step-by-step help manual and technical support for registration and integration.
• Secure Integration: Maintain strong safeguards such as digital signatures, IP whitelisting and secure password hashing.
• Exporter Support: Strengthen the DGFT Helpdesk for exporters, Export Promotion Councils, designated CoO issuing agencies and trade bodies.
• Wider Adoption: Encourage eligible exporters to integrate their existing ERP and accounting systems with the CoO platform.
• Continuous Improvement: Use exporter feedback and suggestions to improve the eCoO module and API-based services.

Conclusion

The Open API facility represents an important step towards seamless digitalisation of India’s export documentation. By enabling direct integration between exporters’ business systems and the DGFT’s CoO platform, it can reduce repetitive compliance, minimise errors and expedite certification, thereby strengthening India’s trade facilitation framework.