The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued Public Notice No. 29/2025-26 on October 28, 2025, to amend the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023. These amendments, made under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, concern the implementation of the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (India-EFTA TEPA). Specifically, the notice introduces the India-EFTA TEPA into the list of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) under Para 2.88 (a) of the HBP. More significantly, it introduces a new sub-para 2.91 (e), which allows exporters to obtain the Certificate of Origin (CoO) under the India-EFTA TEPA through self-declaration. This option is provided in addition to the existing procedure where CoOs are issued by authorized agencies. The immediate effect of this notice is to facilitate and provide greater flexibility for exporters dealing with the EFTA nations by offering this new, simplified self-declaration mechanism for obtaining the necessary Certificate of Origin.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Public Notice No. 29/2025-26 – DGFT | Dated: 28 October, 2025
Subject: Amendments in Para 2.88 and Para 2.91 of Handbook of Procedures-reg.
F. No. 01/89/180/60/AM-25/PC-2(A)/E-44332.— In exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby makes the following amendments in the provisions of Para 2.91 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023:
(A) Under Para 2.88 (a) of HBP, a new entry with serial no. xiv is inserted after the existing list of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as under:
“xiv. India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (India-EFTA TEPA)”
(B) Under Para 2.91 of HBP 2023, a new sub-para (e) is inserted as mentioned below:
“2.91 (e): In case of India- EFTA TEPA, Certificates of Origin may also be ob:ained on the basis of self-declaration by the exporter concerned, in addition to issuance of Certificate of Origin by an authorised agency”.
Effect of this Public Notice: Para 2.88(a) and Para 2.91 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 have been amended to facilitate exporters to obtain the Certificate of Origin (CoO) under the India—EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) through self-declaration, in addition to the existing system of issuance of Certificates of Origin by the authorised agencies.
(Ajay Bhadoo)
Director General of Foreign Trade &
Ex- officio Addl. Secretary to the Gol
Email: dgft@nic.in
[Issued from File No. 01/89/180/60/AM-25/PC-2(A)/ [E-44332
