Digital Transformation in Forestry Exports: DGFT Mandates Online Certificate of Origin for Agarwood via Trade Connect ePlatform

The landscape of international trade in India is undergoing a massive technological evolution, heavily focused on eradicating bureaucratic bottlenecks and fostering a transparent ecosystem for every commercial assessee. In a significant regulatory development, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has rolled out a completely digitized framework for the exportation of specific forest commodities.

Promulgated through Trade Notice No. 05/2026-27 dated May 22, 2026, the government has officially inaugurated a specialized online module embedded within the Trade Connect ePlatform (TCeP). This newly minted digital infrastructure is exclusively designed for the issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) pertaining to Agarwood shipments. By shifting from a manual, paper-heavy process to a streamlined digital interface, the regulatory authorities aim to drastically improve the ease of doing business, ensure strict traceability of forest resources, and maintain absolute compliance with global environmental treaties.

The foundational basis for this digital migration is rooted deeply in the overarching trade guidelines of the nation. The initiative draws its legal and administrative backing directly from Para 1.07 of the Foreign Trade Policy.

Statutory Mandate: Para 1.07 of the Foreign Trade Policy explicitly champions the facilitation of both inward and outward shipments through the deployment of delivery systems that are highly efficient, fully transparent, and strictly accountable.

Agarwood, known for its immense commercial value in the fragrance, medicinal, and cultural sectors globally, is a highly sensitive ecological resource. Because of its vulnerability to over-exploitation and illegal logging, international trade involving this specific timber is heavily monitored. The newly launched digital module acts as a robust safeguard, ensuring that every assessee dealing in Agarwood adheres strictly to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). By validating the exact legal origin and meticulously tracking the chain of custody, the DGFT ensures that India fulfills its international ecological obligations while simultaneously empowering the genuine assessee to conduct cross-border business without administrative harassment.

Decoding the Trade Connect ePlatform (TCeP)

The Trade Connect ePlatform serves as the ultimate single-window digital gateway for the modern exporting assessee. Instead of navigating through multiple departmental portals or physically visiting forest and customs offices, the assessee can now manage their entire certification lifecycle from a unified dashboard.