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DGFT opens CoO API integration for pharma exporters towards ease of doing business
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
September 08 , 2026
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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has introduced an Open Application Programming Interfaces (API) facility on the Trade Connect e-Platform to enable pharmaceutical exporters, to directly integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting and other software systems with the government’s Certificate of Origin (CoO) system.
The initiative is aimed at reducing manual data entry, improving data accuracy and enabling electronic exchange of CoO-related information as part of the government’s broader digitalisation and ease-of-doing-business measures.
The DGFT said the Open API facility for issuance of Certificates of Origin has been released and is available for use by eligible pharma exporters and systems in accordance with the prescribed process and technical requirements.
The new integration is expected to allow exporters to connect their existing business software with the DGFT’s CoO system for electronic submission and exchange of information required for Certificate of Origin applications. For pharmaceutical exporters handling regular shipments to markets where Certificates of Origin are required for customs, compliance or tariff-related purposes, the facility can reduce repetitive manual data entry and streamline the application process.
“The objective of the Open API facility is to enable exporters to integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting or other software systems with the DGFT's Certificate of Origin system for electronic submission and exchange of CoO-related information, thereby reducing manual data entry and facilitating a more efficient application process,” the DGFT further said.
The API framework is designed to support the submission, processing, issuance and verification of Certificates of Origin through secure integration between exporters’ systems and the Trade Connect e-Platform. According to the DGFT, the framework seeks to establish a standardised digital ecosystem that reduces manual intervention and duplicate data entry, improves accuracy of information and facilitates information exchange between exporters, designated certifying agencies and regulatory authorities.
The facility covers both preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin. Preferential CoOs are issued under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), allowing eligible exporters to seek tariff concessions in importing countries. Non-preferential CoOs are used for purposes including compliance, customs clearance, implementation of trade remedies and other trade-related requirements, without providing preferential tariff benefits.
The DGFT has also specified an onboarding process for exporters and other eligible users seeking to use the API facility. Registration, API access, authentication, technical integration and other requirements have been made available through the Certificate of Origin section of the Trade Connect e-Platform under “API Management for Exporters”. A step-by-step Help Manual has also been issued to guide users through access and integration.
The move is relevant for pharmaceutical exporters as Certificates of Origin form part of the documentation required for international shipments and may be needed to establish the origin of pharmaceutical products for customs, regulatory and trade purposes. Integration with exporters’ existing ERP or accounting systems could allow information already maintained within their internal systems to be electronically exchanged with the CoO platform, reducing the need for repeated entry of shipment and product-related data.
The DGFT has encouraged pharma exporters, designated CoO issuing agencies, Pharmexcil, trade and industry associations and other stakeholders to undertake the required technical integration and use the Open API facility in accordance with the prescribed process and technical specifications.
The Directorate has also advised exporters and stakeholders to approach the DGFT Helpdesk for queries, suggestions and feedback concerning the electronic Certificate of Origin module.
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