What is CO (Certificate of Origin)?

A Certificate of Origin is a document widely used in international trade transactions which attests that the product listed therein has met certain criteria to be considered as originating in a particular country. A certificate of origin is generally prepared and completed by the exporter or the manufacturer, and may be subject to official certification by an authorized third party. It is often submitted to a customs authority of the importing country to justify the product's eligibility for entry and/or its entitlement to preferential treatment. Guidelines for issuance of Certificates of Origin by chambers of commerce globally are issued by the International Chamber of Commerce.

Key takeaways:

A certificate of origin is a document that verifies a product's country of origin. It states where the product was produced, manufactured or processed. It's usually required by a country's customs authority as part of the clearance process when importing.

A CO can exist either in paper or digital format, and must be approved by the requisite chamber of commerce or customs authority.

Almost every country in the world requires CO for customs clearance procedures: when determining the duty that will be assessed on the goods or, in some cases, whether the goods may be legally imported at all.

Different types of COs:

1.Non-Preferential COs which certify that the goods are subject to no preferential treatment. These are the main type of COs that chambers can issue and are also known as “Normal COs”.

2.Preferential COs, which certify that goods are subject to reduced tariffs or exemptions when they are exported to countries extending these privileges. These COs tend to be closely associated with Regional Trade Agreements.

Details needed to include on a certificate of origin form:

1.The exporter's name and contact information

2.The producer's name and contact information (if different from exporter)

3.The receiver’s name and contact information

4.A clear goods description including HS code, quantity and weight

5.The country of origin

6.Air waybill number

7.Means of transport and route details (optional)

8.Remarks (optional)

9.Commercial invoice number(s) and date(s) (optional)

Notes:

You must include an Exporters Information Form Update. This form has to be completed and forwarded to the appropriate issuing body (see below for a list), together with a list of signatories authorised to sign the certificates on behalf of your company.

Evidence of origin (ie. copies of the invoice, a bill of lading, a letter of credit, or a statutory declaration) must be supplied prior to stamping.

Exporters must provide a copy of the documents being stamped for Chamber records.

Before submission for authentication, the exporter must sign all export documents on the bottom left-hand side under the exporter’s declaration.

Importantly, Certificate of Australian Origin forms can't be used for any other origin, other than Australian.

Certificates of Origin must always be typed.