The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on May 01, 2024, issued a circular regarding the Acceptance of an Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CoO) issued by the issuing Authority of Korea under the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement after the implementation of the India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES).
Representations have been received in the Board concerning the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), seeking clarification on, inter alia, whether Electronic Certificates of Origin (e-COOs) issued by the Issuing Authority of the Republic of Korea are acceptable under India-Korea CEPA after implementation of India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES).
It is hereby clarified that in pursuance of the implementation of India-Korea EODES, the electronic certificates of origin shall be considered acceptable for claiming preferential benefit under India-Korea CEPA, provided that the e-CoO has been issued in the prescribed format, bears all particulars including QR code, and fulfils all other requirements stated in notification No. 187/2009-Customs (N.T.) dated December 31, 2009 and any further amendments. The e-CoO shall have the same legitimacy as the original copy of its manually issued counterpart.
The e-CoO shall continue to be mandatorily uploaded on e-Sanchit by the importer/Customs Broker for availing preferential benefit, and the e-CoO particulars such as reference number and date, originating criteria etc. shall be carefully entered while filing the bill of entry.
[Circular No. 10/2024-Customs]
