Registered Exporter System (REX)

A self-certification system for origin of goods under the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme.

Understanding the Registered Exporter System

What is REX?

The Registered Exporter System (REX) is a system of certification of origin of goods that applies in the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) of the European Union since January 1, 2017.

It is based on the principle of self-certification by exporters who make out themselves so-called "statements on origin". To be entitled to make out a statement on origin, an exporter needs to be registered in the REX system and have a valid registration.

The EU has introduced this self-certification scheme to replace the previous system of issuance of Certificates of Origin. Registration on REX is without any fee or charges.

Objectives of REX

Increase Export Earnings

To increase Beneficiary Developing Countries (BDCs) export earnings through preferential market access

Promote Industrialization

To promote Beneficiary Developing Countries (BDCs) industrialization through simplified export procedures

Accelerate Economic Growth

To accelerate Beneficiary Developing Countries (BDCs) rates of economic growth through trade facilitation

Legal Framework

Basic Art

EU Regulation No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code (UCC)

Delegated Regulation

EU Regulation No 2015/2446



Implementing Regulation

EU Regulation No 2015/2447



Implementation Details
  • Legal Framework Date: May 1, 2016
  • Implementation by: European Commission
  • Facilitation by: Competent Authorities and their 16 Local Administrators of REG (including DGFT)
  • Effective Date: January 1, 2017
  • Mode of Application: Online
REX Number Format

In India, REX number follows a 20-digit format:

Position Format Description
First 2 digits IN IN denotes India
First 3 digits REX Denotes REX number
Next 10 digits IEC Importer Exporter Code
Next 2 digits XX Alphabets assigned to local administration (like DG for DGFT)
Next 3 digits XXX Number of the Local user (Ranges from 001 to 999)

Example: INREX0123456789DG001

Applicability & Validity

Who Needs REX Registration

From January 1, 2018 onwards, the consignments above the value of € 6000 will be entitled to GSP preferential tariff treatment, only if accompanied by a statement on origin made out by a registered exporter (REX).

Exporters consigning low value goods (i.e. less than €6000 per consignment) are entitled to make out statements on origin without being registered in REX, instead of submitting "Form-A" from January 1, 2017 itself.

The REX system is applicable to exporters who wish to benefit from the GSP schemes of the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey (based on Turkey fulfilling certain conditions).

Validity & Registration

One-Time Registration

An exporter will be registered in the system only once

Common System

The REX system is common to the GSP schemes of the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey

No Registration Fee

The registration on REX is without any fee or charges

Phasing Out

This system is eventually phasing out the current system of issuance of Certificates of Origin

Calendar of Integration in REX

Countries Integrated in 2017

  • Angola
  • Burundi
  • Bhutan
  • DR Congo
  • Central African Republic
  • Congo
  • Cook Islands
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Micronesia
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Comoros
  • Laos
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Nepal
  • Nauru
  • Niue
  • Pakistan
  • Solomon Islands
  • Soudan
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South-Soudan
  • Sao Tomé & Principe
  • Chad
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • TimorLeste
  • Tuvalu
  • Yemen
  • Zambia

Countries Integrated in 2018

  • Afghanistan
  • Armenia
  • Bolivia
  • Ivory Coast
  • Erithrea
  • Ghana
  • Gambia
  • Guinea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Myanmar
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Niger
  • Rwanda
  • Syria
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania

Countries Integrated in 2019

  • Bangladesh
  • Burkina-Faso
  • Benin
  • Cap-Verde
  • Haiti
  • Indonesia
  • Kirghizstan
  • Cambodia
  • Lesotho
  • Madagascar
  • Mauritania
  • Mongolia
  • Nigeria
  • Philippines
  • Paraguay
  • Senegal
  • Tajikistan
  • Uganda
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam
  • Vanuatu
  • Samoa

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Application
Step 2: Submit Online
Step 3: Receive REX Number

How to Register

  1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you are an exporter from a beneficiary country and export goods that qualify under the GSP scheme.
  2. Prepare Documentation: Gather all required documents including IEC, company details, and product information.
  3. Complete Application Form: Fill out the online application form through the designated portal.
  4. Submit Application: Submit the completed application to the competent authority (DGFT in India).
  5. Verification: The competent authority will verify the information provided.
  6. Registration: Upon successful verification, you will be registered in the REX system and assigned a unique REX number.

Required Documents

  • Valid Import-Export Code (IEC)
  • Company Registration Documents
  • Details of Products to be Exported
  • Contact Information of Authorized Person
  • Declaration of Compliance with Rules of Origin
  • Digital Signature (if applicable)

Post Registration Compliance

Monthly Reporting Requirements

After registration, exporters must file a summary of the "statements on origin" with competent authorities on a monthly basis. This report must include the following details:

Information Required Description
HSN Code Harmonized System Nomenclature code of the exported product
Description Detailed description of the exported goods
Document No / Date Document number and date on which Statement on Origin is made out
FOB Value FOB value of exports (in USD)
Destination Port Port through which goods are exported
Destination of Export Country to which goods are exported
Origin Criteria Origin Criteria, W/P HS four digit
Statement on Origin

A registered exporter must make out a statement on origin for each consignment of goods qualifying for preferential treatment. The statement must be made on a commercial document that allows identification of the exporter and the goods concerned.

The statement on origin must contain the exact wording as prescribed by the EU regulations and include the REX number of the exporter.

Record Keeping

Registered exporters must keep records of all statements on origin made for at least three years from the date of issuance.

These records should include copies of the commercial documents on which the statements were made, as well as supporting documents proving the originating status of the goods.

Important Note :

Failure to comply with the post-registration requirements may result in the revocation of REX registration. Exporters are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information provided in the statements on origin and must notify the competent authorities of any changes to their registration details.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, registration in the REX system is not mandatory for exporters who only export consignments with a value below €6000. These exporters can make out statements on origin without being registered. However, if you occasionally export consignments above €6000, you will need to register in the REX system to benefit from GSP preferences for those higher-value shipments.

The REX registration does not have a specific expiration date. However, if any of the registered data changes (such as company name, address, or contact details), the exporter must inform the competent authority immediately. The competent authority may revoke the registration if the exporter no longer meets the conditions for making out statements on origin or if the exporter misuses the system.

Yes, merchant exporters can register in the REX system. However, they must ensure that they have all the necessary information about the origin of the goods they export. They should have proper documentation from the manufacturer confirming that the goods meet the rules of origin requirements under the GSP scheme. The merchant exporter takes full responsibility for the correctness of the statements on origin they make out.

If you discover an error in a statement on origin that you have made out, you should immediately inform your customer and the competent authority. Depending on the nature of the error, you may need to issue a corrected statement. Persistent errors or intentional misrepresentations could lead to the revocation of your REX registration and potential legal consequences. It's important to maintain accurate records and ensure that all statements on origin are correct.