2 days ago
India, MERCOSUR Sign Protocol for Electronic Origin Certificates
India and the MERCOSUR countries made a new agreement about trade documents.
The agreement allows businesses to use electronic Certificates of Origin instead of paper ones.
These certificates show where traded goods come from.
The digital certificates will have the same legal value as paper certificates.
Authorized officials must create and electronically sign them under local laws.
This change is intended to make customs work faster and easier.
It may also reduce paperwork and business costs.
The agreement will begin after the countries complete their required approval processes.
India and the MERCOSUR bloc signed a protocol recognizing electronic Certificates of Origin as legally equivalent to paper versions.
The amendment updates Article 16 of Annex III on Rules of Origin under the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
Electronic certificates must comply with domestic laws and be issued and signed by authorized entities and officials.
The agreement aims to reduce paperwork, transaction costs and processing time while improving preferential-trade efficiency.
The protocol will take effect after domestic ratification procedures and exchanges of legal notifications by India and the relevant MERCOSUR members.
- Who
- The Government of India and the MERCOSUR bloc, represented by officials from India, Uruguay and Paraguay, signed the protocol.
- What
- They signed the First Additional Protocol to recognize electronic Certificates of Origin as legally equivalent to paper certificates.
- Where
- The signing took place in the context of India–MERCOSUR relations, with officials and embassy representatives involved; the specific venue was not stated.
- When
- The protocol was signed by September 14, 2026; negotiations included meetings on November 27, 2025, and April 9, 2026.
- Why
- To support paperless trade, reduce documentation and processing costs, and improve the efficiency of preferential trade.
Key facts
- Agreement
- First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement
- Main change
- Electronic Certificates of Origin will have the same legal validity and value as paper certificates.
- Rules updated
- Article 16 of Annex III, which governs Rules of Origin.
- India’s concessions
- Preferential tariff concessions on 450 tariff lines.
- MERCOSUR concessions
- Tariff concessions on 452 tariff lines.
- Original agreement
- Signed January 25, 2004, and entered into force June 1, 2009.
- Entry into force
- Pending domestic ratification procedures and exchanges of legal notifications.
Quotes
India–MERCOSUR First Additional Protocol
Trade protocol governing electronic Certificates of Origin between India and MERCOSUR.
“such electronic Certificates of Origin will be required to be issued and electronically signed in accordance with the respective domestic legislation of the Parties, by duly authorised entities and officials.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“Certificates of Origin issued in electronic format shall have the same legal validity and identical value as Certificates of Origin issued in paper format.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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