India Simplifies Export Certification Processes with eCoO 2.0 System

Posted by Written by Melissa Cyrill Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of India has launched the enhanced eCoO 2.0 system to streamline export certification processes, boost trade efficiency, and support the Ease of Doing Business for exporters.

Find Business Support
How we can help companies leverage growth in the trade and e-commerce industry

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has unveiled the enhanced Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 system, introducing significant upgrades to simplify export certification processes and improve trade efficiency. This initiative aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to enhance the Ease of Doing Business for exporters.

Key features of the enhanced eCoO 2.0 system

The revamped eCoO 2.0 platform offers several user-centric features aimed at streamlining operations for exporters:

  • Multi-user access: Exporters can now authorize multiple users under a single Importer Exporter Code (IEC), facilitating better workflow management.
  • Aadhaar-based e-signing: Alongside digital signature tokens, exporters can use Aadhaar-based e-signing, providing greater flexibility and ease.
  • Integrated dashboard: The platform consolidates services, offering access to eCoO functionalities, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) details, trade events, and other vital resources.
  • In-lieu certificates of origin: Exporters can now request corrections to previously issued certificates through a straightforward online process.

Effective January 1, 2025, the electronic filing of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin is mandatory through this platform, accessible at the “Get Certificate of Origin” section on trade.gov.in. Currently, the system processes over 7,000 eCoOs daily, integrating 125 issuing agencies—including 110 chambers of commerce—and more than 650 issuing officers nationwide.

Introduction of back-to-back certificates of origin

A landmark feature of the enhanced system is the provision for Back-to-Back Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential), as outlined in Public Notice 43/2024-25, dated January 27, 2025. This feature caters specifically to goods not of Indian origin that are intended for re-export, trans-shipment, or merchanting trade.

These certificates, issued based on documentary evidence from the foreign country of origin, ensure transparency and accuracy. They explicitly detail the origin of goods and include supporting documents, facilitating smoother global supply chain operations. This is especially beneficial for intermediary trade routed through India, reducing processing times and enhancing trade clarity.

Impact on India’s export ecosystem

The eCoO 2.0 platform marks a significant leap in modernizing India’s trade infrastructure. By unifying exporters, issuing agencies, and government resources on a single platform, it eliminates redundancies and reduces turnaround times.

For exporters, these advancements simplify certification workflows, enabling faster access to international markets. The inclusion of Back-to-Back Certificates of Origin further supports India’s growing role as a vital link in global supply chains.

This initiative reflects DGFT’s commitment to facilitating seamless trade and enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.

About Us

India Briefing is one of five regional publications under the Asia Briefing brand. It is supported by Dezan Shira & Associates, a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm that assists foreign investors throughout Asia, including through offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru in India. Readers may write to india@dezshira.com for support on doing business in India. For a complimentary subscription to India Briefing’s content products, please click here.

Dezan Shira & Associates also maintains offices or has alliance partners assisting foreign investors in China, Hong Kong SAR, Dubai (UAE), Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Italy, Germany, the United States, and Australia.