Guidelines regarding implementation of section 28DA of the Customs Act, 1962 and CAROTAR, 2020 in respect of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements (FTA/PTA/CECA/CEPA) and verification of Certificates of Origin

Verification of Certificates of Origin: new procedures require importer due diligence and enable cross border verification under CAROTAR.

The guidelines require importers to maintain and produce prescribed minimum information to substantiate preferential origin claims; if doubts remain about authenticity or whether goods meet Rules of Origin, customs must seek importer information first and, failing satisfaction, refer representative Certificates of Origin for verification through the Board's nodal point. Failure to provide information or exercise due diligence is reported to the Risk Management Centre to trigger compulsory verification of future consignments until adequate controls are shown. Field SOPs, timelines, signature repositories, communication channels, and training measures are prescribed.