In a significant move to digitize and streamline cross-border trade operations, Pakistan Single Window (PSW), in collaboration with the Export Development Fund (EDF), has officially launched a new digital service: the QR code-enabled Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-COO). This service aims to eliminate manual processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance the efficiency of trade documentation, particularly benefiting the country’s exporters.
The e-COO allows exporters to apply for and receive non-preferential certificates of origin entirely online through their respective chambers of commerce and trade associations. Traditionally a time-consuming process requiring physical submission and collection, the digital e-COO ensures that the certification process is now faster, more transparent, and accessible. By replacing manual steps with an end-to-end online system, the new service significantly reduces processing times while also minimizing the administrative burden on exporters.
At the core of this innovation is the integration of the e-COO service with the Pakistan Single Window digital trade platform. The centralized platform ensures secure handling of applications and verification procedures. Chambers and trade bodies across the country are being gradually onboarded and given access to issue and verify certificates through this digital system, ensuring a smooth transition and broad adoption across the export sector.
A key benefit of this development is the financial relief it offers exporters, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Through the support of the Export Development Fund, PSW has waived the export declaration fees associated with the e-COO application. This waiver is expected to encourage broader participation among smaller exporters who might otherwise face barriers due to cost or procedural complexity.
The inclusion of QR code functionality further enhances the utility and security of the electronic certificate. Each e-COO comes embedded with a unique QR code that allows for instant digital verification, minimizing the risk of fraud and making the document verifiable by foreign customs authorities and trade partners with ease. This feature is especially important in today’s global trade environment, where authenticity and traceability of documentation are crucial.
The initiative reflects PSW’s broader commitment to modernizing Pakistan’s trade infrastructure through technology and cross-agency collaboration. By facilitating digital transformation within the export ecosystem, PSW is aligning Pakistan’s trade documentation practices with international standards, boosting the credibility of Pakistani exporters on the global stage.
Furthermore, this move aligns with the government’s broader goals of improving the ease of doing business and promoting exports through streamlined digital services. As more chambers of commerce and trade associations integrate with the PSW platform, the reach and effectiveness of the e-COO service are expected to grow, supporting an increasingly digital-first trade environment in Pakistan.
With this new service, PSW continues to demonstrate leadership in digital innovation and public-private cooperation, laying the groundwork for a more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready trade system.
