India-NZ FTA: preferential eCoO on Trade Connect, and issuing agencies added to Appendix 2B

In short

Two DGFT documents of 13 November 2026 set up preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) for exports to New Zealand under the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which the Trade Notice says entered into force on 20 October 2026. Trade Notice 34/2026-27 explains how exporters apply for an electronic CoO (eCoO) on the Trade Connect ePlatform. Public Notice 40/2026-27 adds the agreement to the list of FTAs in Para 2.88 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 and lists the authorised issuing agencies in Appendix 2B of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.

Authority

Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Documents

Trade Notice No. 34/2026-27 and Public Notice No. 40/2026-27, both dated 13 November 2026

Type

Trade notice and public notice

Agreement

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, in force from 20 October 2026 (as stated in the Trade Notice)

Platform

Trade Connect ePlatform (www.trade.gov.in), service "Certificate of Origin"

Public notice made under

Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023

Amends

Para 2.88(a) of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 (new entry xvii) and Appendix 2B of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 (new serial no. 22)

What changed

The Trade Notice says the facility covers CoOs issued by authorised agencies. The notices do not state the origin criteria, the tariff concessions, or fees; those sit in the agreement itself. The previous count of FTA entries is inferred from the new serial number xvii.

Who it applies to

• Exporters of Indian goods to New Zealand and holders of an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
• Designated issuing agencies under FTAs
• Customs authorities who verify certificates
• Customs brokers, CAs and lawyers advising exporters

What to do

1. Log in to Trade Connect (www.trade.gov.in) with the existing DGFT credentials; extra users for the same IEC can be created and linked using a DSC on dgft.gov.in.
2. Make sure the user name in the DGFT/Trade Connect profile matches the name in the digital signature, and that the IEC details are up to date.
3. Select the correct agency from the Appendix 2B list for your product when applying.
4. Anyone verifying a certificate can use Trade Connect, Certificate of Origin, Verify Certificate, and enter the CoO number.

Reference

DGFT Trade Notice No. 34/2026-27 and Public Notice No. 40/2026-27, 13 November 2026, preferential Certificate of Origin under the India-New Zealand FTA.

Issued by DGFT (dgft.gov.in)

Written by TaxByKK from the official notification. Check the official text before you act on it.

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