The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended Appendix 2B of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 to add the agencies authorised to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The notification is a procedural but essential step for exporters seeking to claim preferential tariff treatment on shipments to the United Kingdom under the agreement that entered into force on July 15, 2026.
Preferential Certificates of Origin are the documentary proof UK customs authorities require to grant Indian goods the reduced or zero tariffs negotiated under CETA. Without a valid certificate issued by a DGFT-recognised agency, exporters would be unable to access the preferential rates even where their goods otherwise qualify.
Why Does the Appendix 2B Amendment Matter for Exporters?
By formally listing the agencies empowered to issue these certificates, DGFT closes an operational gap that had left some exporters uncertain about where to obtain valid documentation immediately after CETA’s entry into force. Trade facilitation bodies had flagged certificate-of-origin issuance as one of the near-term implementation bottlenecks that could blunt the tariff benefits negotiated under the agreement.
The amendment is particularly relevant for textile, apparel, engineering goods and marine product exporters, sectors that received the deepest UK tariff cuts under CETA and are consequently the most reliant on smooth certificate-of-origin processing to realise those savings.
What Do Export Promotion Councils Say?
Export promotion councils have welcomed the clarification, noting that ambiguity over certifying agencies had created friction for smaller exporters unfamiliar with which bodies could issue CETA-compliant documentation. Trade compliance consultants say the amendment should be read alongside the broader JETCO-led implementation push, as both measures are aimed at converting CETA’s tariff architecture into usable, on-the-ground trade benefits.
Market and Trade Reaction
Exporters in CETA’s priority sectors have indicated the clarified certification process should reduce shipment delays tied to documentation disputes at UK customs checkpoints. Freight forwarders and customs brokers serving UK-bound cargo say the amendment gives them a definitive reference list to direct client queries, reducing processing time for preferential shipments.
What Happens Next?
Exporters seeking preferential tariff treatment on UK-bound shipments should now approach one of the DGFT-recognised agencies listed under the amended Appendix 2B to obtain their Certificate of Origin before shipment. DGFT is expected to continue refining CETA-related procedural notifications as implementation issues are identified through the JETCO review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did DGFT change in Appendix 2B of the FTP?
DGFT amended Appendix 2B to formally list the agencies authorised to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin for exports to the UK under the India-UK CETA.
Why do exporters need a Preferential Certificate of Origin?
UK customs authorities require this certificate as proof that goods qualify for CETA’s reduced or zero tariff rates; without it, exporters cannot access preferential treatment.
Which sectors are most affected by this DGFT notification?
Textiles, apparel, engineering goods and marine products, sectors that received the largest UK tariff cuts under CETA, are most reliant on smooth certificate-of-origin issuance.
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