India and MERCOSUR have signed the First Additional Protocol to the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), paving the way for acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin (e-CoO) in preferential trade.
Under the protocol, electronically issued Certificates of Origin will have the same legal validity and value as paper certificates, subject to the applicable domestic procedures and authorisations of the parties.
The move is expected to support the transition towards digital and paperless trade documentation, potentially reducing transaction costs and processing time while improving the efficiency of preferential trade.
The initiative follows discussions under the India-MERCOSUR Joint Administrative Committee, with the proposal adopted by mutual consent at its fifth meeting held on 9 April 2026.
The signing marks a further step towards strengthening trade facilitation and deepening the India-MERCOSUR trade and economic partnership.