A certificate of origin tells the importing country where goods were made. For imitation jewellery it matters most when your buyer wants to pay lower or zero import duty under a trade agreement India has signed. Without the right origin paperwork, the buyer pays the full duty, even if the jewellery would have qualified. This guide explains the two types of certificate, how the main agreements work for jewellery, and how to get it right.
Two kinds of certificate
Non-preferential certificate of origin. Simply proves the goods are of Indian origin. Some buyers, banks or countries ask for it as a formality. It does not reduce duty. Chambers of commerce and similar bodies issue it.
Preferential certificate of origin. Proves the goods meet the rules of origin of a specific trade agreement, so the buyer can claim the agreement's lower duty. It is issued by authorised agencies through the DGFT's online certificate of origin platform, and each agreement has its own form.
Agreements that matter for jewellery exporters
| Destination | Agreement | Normal duty example | With origin proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | India-UAE CEPA, in force since May 2022 | 5% | Can be 0% with a preferential certificate |
| Australia | India-Australia ECTA | 5% | 0% on all Indian goods since 1 January 2026, with an ECTA certificate |
| United Kingdom | India-UK CETA, in force since 15 July 2026 | UK tariff | Duty being eliminated for qualifying jewellery, using the exporter's origin declaration on the invoice |
| New Zealand | India-New Zealand FTA, in force from 20 October 2026 | NZ tariff | 0% on Indian goods, with the agreement's origin proof |
| ASEAN countries | ASEAN-India FTA | varies | Lower rates on some lines, with the AIFTA certificate |
The European Union and India concluded a trade agreement in January 2026 that includes eliminating duty on gems and jewellery, but check whether it is in force for your shipment date before promising EU buyers a duty benefit.
Rules of origin, in plain terms
A rule of origin says how much of the product must be made in India, or how much it must be transformed in India, to count as "Indian". For imitation jewellery cast, plated and finished in an Indian factory from its own materials, meeting the rule is usually straightforward. It becomes harder when major components (stones, chains, findings) are imported and only assembled here.
Keep records that show how the product was made: the bill of materials, supplier invoices for metal and stones, and costing. The UK agreement in particular relies on the exporter's own declaration, which the authorities can check later.
How to apply for a preferential certificate
- Register on the DGFT certificate of origin platform with your IEC.
- Choose the agreement (for example CEPA for the UAE, ECTA for Australia).
- Enter the invoice details, HS code, description and the origin criterion the goods meet.
- Upload the invoice and supporting documents, pay the fee and submit.
- The issuing agency reviews and issues the certificate electronically.
Apply before dispatch where possible. Some agreements allow certificates issued after shipment, but a late certificate can mean the buyer pays full duty first and claims a refund later, if at all.
Getting it right
- The HS code, description and quantity on the certificate must match the invoice exactly.
- Use the importer's exact name and address.
- Keep copies with the shipment file: customs can ask for verification months later.
- Ask the buyer which agreement and form they need. Do not assume.
Common reasons origin claims fail
Origin claims are checked, sometimes long after the goods have been sold. The usual problems:
- Mismatched details. The HS code, description or quantity on the certificate differs from the invoice. Customs refuse the preference.
- Wrong form or agreement. A certificate under one agreement presented in a country covered by a different one.
- Imported components not accounted for. If chains, stones or findings are imported and the product only assembled in India, it may not meet the rule for that line.
- No supporting records. When customs ask the exporter to verify, missing costings and supplier invoices can cost the buyer the duty benefit retrospectively.
The cure is simple: prepare the origin paperwork with the invoice, from the same data, and keep the file.
Where the manufacturer helps
Your manufacturer's invoice and a simple statement of where the product was made (casting, plating and finishing in India) support the origin claim. At Jagruti our jewellery is cast, plated and finished in our Kandivali East, Mumbai factory, and we describe materials clearly on invoices. See our export supply page.
Related: import duty by country, export documents checklist and HS code 7117.