Certificate of Origin

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The Certificate of Origin is a document issued by a certifying authority stating the country of origin of the goods which are to be exported to another country.

The Certificate of Origin should include the following elements:
  1. Key details (particularly the consignor, consignee and description of goods) regarding the shipment. Also such details to be in conformity wit other documents e.g. documentary credit, commercial invoice and packing list.
  2. A statement of origin of the goods listed therein.
  3. The name, authorised signatory and/or stamp or seal of the certifying body, such as the chamber of commerce, trade associations, etc.
A NAFTA (North America Free Trade Area) contains the following elements:
  1. Name and address of the exporter (shipper).
  2. Blanket period of the shipment (for multiple shipments of identical goods for a specified period of up to one year.
  3. Name and address of the importer (consignee).
  4. Name and address of the producer (manufacturer).
  5. Description of the goods.
  6. Harmonized System (HS) tariff classification number up to six digits.
  7. Preference criteria (one of six criteria of rules of origin of the goods).
  8. Indication of whether the exporter is the producer of the goods.
  9. Regional Value Content indication.
  10. Country of Origin of the goods.
  11. Exporter's company name, date and its authorised signatory.
Cautions and Notes

If you are the buyer (importer/consignee), the import authority of your country may require a certificate of origin. If so, make certain that you require it of the seller in the form and content as specified by your country's customs authority.

A certificate of origin can be the key document required for obtaining special (reduced) tariff rates for imports from countries listed as beneficiaries to programs such as the GSP (Generalized Systems of Preferences) and NAFTA.

In documentary letter of credit, buyers should avoid the use of such terms as "first class", "well-known", "qualified", "independent", "official", "competent" or "local" when referring to the certifying authority. It is preferable to name the required certifying authority. Use of vague terminology will result in the bank's acceptance of any relevant documents that appears "on its face" to be in compliance with the documentary credit, so long as it was not issued and signed by the beneficiary (seller/exporter).

In certain countries, the certificate of origin is prepared by the seller (beneficiary to the documentary credit) on a standard form and then certified (with a signature, stamp or seal) by the certifying authority.

Certifying authorities most often used are city and regional chambers of commerce as well as chambers of commerce and industry.

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