The generalised system of preferences (GSP) is a system under which indian Goods receive preferential tariff treatment upon import into developed markets, such as member states of European Union, USA, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Russia etc. The GSP schemes of various countries are notified by them from time to time. These are unilateral schemes and as such India need not accord the same preferential treatment to the goods of developed countries, on reciprocal basis. The list of agencies authorised to issue GSP certificates is given in Appendix-51.

In addition, India is a participant to Global system of Trade Preferences (GSTP), Bangkok agreement (BA), SAARC Preferential Trading arrangement (SAPTA) under which India grants and receives tariff concession on imports and exports. To avail these tariff preferences, it is to be ensured that import or export qualifies for the preference in accordance with the rules of original requirement of the agreement concerned. The Government has notified the agencies authorised to issue certificate of origin for each of the agreement. Export inspection Council (EIC) is the sole agency authorised to issue certificate of origin under GSTP. The list of agencies authorised to issue certificate of origin under BA and SAPTA is provided in Appendix-51A. However, for Indo-Srilanka Free Trade Agreement, the certificate of origin shall be issued by Export Inspection Council. The authorised agencies shall provide services relating to issuance of certificate of origin, including details regarding the rules of origin, list of items covered by an agreement, extent of tariff preference, verification and certification of eligibility etc. EIC is the sole agency authorised to print blank certificates. The authorised agencies may charge a fee, as approved by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for services rendered. The Government has also nominated certain authorised agencies to issue non-preferential certificate of origin in accordance with the Article II of international convention relating to simplification of Customs formalities, 1923. These certificates of origin evidence the origin of goods and do not bestow any right to preferential tariffs. The list of these agencies is provided in Appendix-51B.

(Above Para has been ameneded vide P.N.No.36/(RE-99), Dt.18/10/99)