Launch of Online Module for Issuance of Certificate of Origin for Agarwood

Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry Department of Commerce (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)

---

Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 011 Date: May 22, 2026

Trade Notice No. 05 /2026-27

To,

1. All Exporters/Members of trade and industry
2. All Customs authorities of CBIC
3. All Regional Authorities of DGFT
4. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
5. Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region
6. State Forest Departments and concerned authorities
7. Other stakeholders of DGFT

Subject: Launch of online module for issuance of Certificate of Origin (CoO) for Agarwood on Trade Connect Platform – regarding.

Reference is invited to Para 1.07 of the Foreign Trade Policy, which envisages facilitation of exports and imports through efficient, transparent, and accountable delivery systems. With a view to achieve this objective and to enhance transparency, traceability, and ease of doing business for exporters, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has developed and operationalised a dedicated online module for issuance of Certificate of Origin (CoO) for Agarwood exports on the Trade Connect ePlatform (TCeP).

2. The said module facilitates issuance of CoO for Agarwood exports for establishing legal origin, validating chain of custody, and ensuring compliance with applicable international requirements, including those under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The platform serves as a single-window digital interface for issuance of CoOs and provision of integrated trade facilitation services.

3. The online module enables exporters to submit applications electronically along with supporting documents and details relating to source or origin, stock particulars, chain of custody, and inspection records. The module allows for digital routing of such applications to the jurisdictional Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) for verification and inspection and thereafter to the designated State Nodal Officer for review and approval. Upon approval, the CoO shall be issued electronically through the platform.

3.1. The system has been designed to provide a transparent, paperless workflow with improved traceability and reduced physical interface between the exporters and concerned authorities.

Workflow

4. The workflows within the online module are summarised as under:

4.1. Workflow For Exporters:

(i). The exporters’ login credentials as created on the DGFT website (https://dgft.gov.in) shall also work on the Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in). There is no need for the exporter to create new account on this platform. (ii). In case any exporter is not registered on the DGFT Website, they would be required to register on DGFT Website. Please refer to the Application Help & FAQs section on DGFT Website → Learn (https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=application-help) for more details. (iii). Exporters may apply online for issuance of CoO for Agarwood through the Trade Connect ePlatform using their login credentials by following Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in) → Certificate of Origin → Apply for Certificate of Origin → Application details → Basic details → Certification details → Type of Certificate of Origin → Other → Trade Agreement/ Others → Forest Produce - Agarwood. (iv). Exporters shall furnish details relating to source or origin, stock particulars, chain of custody, quantity, product description, and upload supporting documents, including inspection photographs and other relevant records. (v). Exporters may track the status of their application online through the platform. (vi). Upon approval, the digitally issued CoO may be downloaded from the platform.

4.2. For onboarding of Divisional Forest Officers (DFO)/ State Nodal Officers on the Module:

(i). All issuing officers are required to register by navigating to the Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in) → ‘Register’ → selecting ‘Register User As’ - ‘CoO Authorized Agency’ → Select agency ‘North Eastern States (For Issuance of Agarwood)’ → selecting ‘State name’ for registering as a State Nodal officer and by selecting ‘State - District name’ for registering as a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). (ii). Issuing officers must use only their official e-mail address for registration. (iii). Issuing officers must register their digital token key after logging into the platform and then navigating to ‘My Dashboard’ → ‘Register Digital Signature Certificate’, in order to enable them to digitally sign the eCoOs. (iv). Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) and State Nodal Officers already onboarded on the DGFT Back Office Portal are not required to register again. Such officials may write to coo-dgft@gov.in for any assistance.

4.3. Workflow for DFO/Forest Authority Workflow:

(i). The submitted application shall be assigned to the jurisdictional Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). (ii). The DFO shall undertake necessary verification of documents and physical inspection of stock and supporting records. (iii). Following verification, the application shall be forwarded online by the DFO to the designated State Nodal Officer along with the officer’s recommendations/ comments.

4.4. Workflow for State Nodal Officer Workflow:

(i). The State Nodal Officer shall examine the verified application and may approve, reject, or seek clarification by marking it deficient, as required. (ii). Upon approval, the CoO shall be generated and issued electronically through the Trade Connect ePlatform.

5. Exporters and stakeholders are advised to familiarise themselves with the new digital process and utilise the online module for the submission and processing of applications with effect from May 25, 2026. Further, user manuals for exporters and issuing officials are available on the Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in).

Verification Mechanism

6. The authorities requiring verification of genuineness of the CoO presented to them by the exporters shall visit the following link on the Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in) → ‘Certificate of Origin’ → ‘Verify Certificate’ and enter the CoO No. pertaining to the CoO which is required to be verified. This will display the details of the CoO issued on the platform corresponding to the CoO No. entered for verification purposes on the platform.

Support Channels

7. Exporters and stakeholders are encouraged to reach out to the DGFT Helpdesk with respect to any queries, suggestions, or feedback related to the eCoO module. Support is available through the following channels:

(i). Toll-Free Assistance: You may contact the DGFT Helpdesk through our tollfree numbers for support. (ii). Email Inquiries: For clarifications or further assistance, please e-mail DGFT Helpdesk at coo-dgft@gov.in

This Trade Notice is issued with the approval of the competent authority.

(Prakash Kamble) Deputy DGFT

(Issued from File No. 01/02/54/AM21/EG&TF-Part(1))