DGFT Launches Open API Facility for Certificate of Origin on Trade Connect e-Platform

New Delhi, Sep 7 (KNN) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has introduced an Open Application Programming Interface (API) facility for issuance and verification of Certificates of Origin (CoO) through the Trade Connect e-Platform.

The facility enables eligible exporters to integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting and other business software with the DGFT’s CoO system and electronically transfer application data to the platform.

The Open API facility covers both Preferential and Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin. Preferential CoOs are issued under Free Trade Agreements, Regional Trade Agreements and Preferential Trade Agreements, while Non-Preferential CoOs are used for customs clearance, compliance, trade remedy and other trade purposes.

Exporters can obtain API credentials through the API Management section of the CoO Portal and register the IP addresses from which their systems will connect. Three APIs are available: Authentication Token API, CoO File API and Certificate Verification API.

A transaction ledger is maintained for each application, covering the application status, acknowledgement ID, file number, file date and certificate number. Application statuses include Draft, In Process, Approved, Certificate Issued and Rejected.

The facility uses security measures including SHA-256 RSA digital signatures with 2048-bit X.509 certificates, PBKDF2 password hashing with dynamic salt and IP-based access restrictions. Each access token remains valid for 60 minutes.

The framework covers various trade agreements and certification schemes, including India–Japan CEPA, India–Korea CEPA, SAFTA, SAPTA, ASEAN–India FTA, India–Singapore CECA, India–Malaysia CECA, India–Chile PTA, India–Mercosur PTA, India–UAE CEPA, India–Australia ECTA, India–Oman CEPA, India–EFTA TEPA, India–UK CETA, the Generalized System of Preferences and the Non-Preferential CoO Scheme.

Further details are available in Trade Notice No. 25/2026-27 dated September 7, 2026, issued by the DGFT.

(KNN Bureau)