What is the Registered Exporter System (REX)?
The Registered Exporter System (REX) is a self-certification system for origin of goods introduced by the European Union and adopted by several GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) beneficiary countries including India. Under REX, registered exporters can self-certify the origin of their goods by making a “statement on origin” directly on commercial documents like invoices, eliminating the need to obtain a Certificate of Origin from designated agencies for each shipment.
India implemented REX from January 1, 2017, as mandated by the EU Regulation. Indian exporters shipping goods to EU countries under GSP preferences must be REX-registered to claim preferential duty rates. Without REX registration, your EU buyer pays standard MFN duties instead of reduced GSP rates, making your products less competitive.
Who Needs REX Registration?
Any Indian exporter shipping goods to the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, or Turkey under the GSP scheme with consignment values exceeding EUR 6,000 must be REX-registered. For consignments below EUR 6,000, any exporter can make a statement on origin without REX registration. However, getting registered regardless of shipment size is recommended since it simplifies documentation for all future EU shipments.
REX registration is also required for exporters shipping to other countries that recognise the REX system, including the UK post-Brexit under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
How REX Registration Works
REX registration in India is handled by DGFT. The exporter applies through the DGFT portal, providing details of their business, the products exported, and the HS codes of goods for which preferential origin will be claimed. Once registered, the exporter receives a REX number that is quoted on all statements on origin.
The statement on origin is a prescribed text that the exporter includes on the commercial invoice or any other commercial document identifying the goods. It states the HS codes, origin criteria, and the exporter’s REX number. No separate certificate or stamp from any agency is required.
Documents Required for REX Registration
Valid IEC code, company PAN and GST registration, details of products exported with ITC (HS) codes, proof of manufacturing or sourcing (for origin criteria compliance), digital signature certificate, and a filled application form on the DGFT portal. The registration is free of cost and does not expire, though DGFT can revoke it if the exporter makes false origin declarations.
Origin Criteria Under REX
To claim preferential origin under GSP/REX, your goods must meet specific origin rules. For wholly obtained goods (agricultural, mineral), the product must be entirely produced in India. For manufactured goods, the product must undergo sufficient processing in India as defined by product-specific rules in the EU GSP regulation. This typically means a change in tariff heading or a minimum value addition threshold (usually 50-70% ex-works price).
Getting the origin criteria wrong means your EU buyer’s preferential duty claim gets rejected at EU customs, leading to demand notices and potential penalties. RASP International verifies origin compliance for your specific products before you make the statement on origin.
Why RASP International for REX
We handle the complete REX process: DGFT registration, origin criteria verification for your specific HS codes, drafting the statement on origin text for your invoices, and training your export documentation team on REX compliance. For Agra’s carpet, leather, and handicraft exporters shipping to Europe, REX registration is essential. We have registered dozens of exporters in these sectors and understand the specific origin rules that apply.
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