SRINAGAR — In a significant development for the export sector of Jammu & Kashmir, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has been formally authorised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, to issue Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential) through the online Trade Connect Portal.
This move places KCCI among a select group of business chambers across India entrusted with this responsibility, and notably, makes it the first and only business chamber in J&K empowered to provide this crucial certification online.
Starting 1st January 2025, the DGFT has announced the complete discontinuation of manual issuance of Certificates of Origin across the country. From that date, all such certifications will be processed exclusively via the digital Trade Connect platform—marking a decisive step toward streamlining India’s export documentation system and aligning it with global trade norms.
Welcoming the development, KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga called it a “landmark achievement” for the business community of Kashmir. “This step will make the process faster, more transparent, and more accessible for our exporters,” he said.
Exporters based in Jammu & Kashmir will now be able to submit their applications for Certificates of Origin online through the DGFT’s Trade Connect Portal. KCCI will be responsible for verifying and processing the applications locally, removing the need for exporters to travel outside the region or rely on institutions elsewhere for the certification.
The Certificate of Origin is a vital document in international trade, required by customs authorities in importing countries to establish the origin of exported goods. It plays a key role in ensuring smoother clearance at ports and border checkpoints.
The shift to a digital system is expected to benefit a wide array of export sectors in the region—including handicrafts, carpets, shawls, horticulture, agri-produce, and processed foods—by reducing bureaucratic delays and increasing compliance with international trade requirements.
KCCI has extended its gratitude to the DGFT for the recognition and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the region’s trade and export ecosystem. The Chamber also urged exporters facing any issues in the online process to reach out to its office for guidance and assistance.
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