Certificate of Origin Guide
A Certificate of Origin (CO) verifies where goods were manufactured and can significantly reduce import duties under trade agreements. Learn when you need one and how to get it.
Certificate of Origin Guide
A Certificate of Origin verifies the country of manufacture and is essential for claiming preferential duty rates under trade agreements.
What is a Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an official document that certifies the country in which a commercial product was manufactured or produced. It is used by customs authorities worldwide to: determine applicable import duties (especially under Free Trade Agreements), enforce trade sanctions or embargoes, ensure compliance with country-of-origin labeling requirements, and support anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations. The CO must accurately reflect the actual country where the goods underwent substantial transformation — not merely where they were packaged or labeled.
Types of Certificates of Origin
Non-Preferential CO: A general-purpose certificate that simply declares the country of origin but does not claim any special tariff treatment. Required by many countries for all imports. Preferential CO: Used to claim reduced or zero duty rates under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Examples: USMCA Certificate of Origin for US-Canada-Mexico trade, GSP Form A for developing country exports to the US, EUR.1 for EU trade agreements, FORM E for ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. Each FTA has its own specific form and rules of origin requirements that must be met for the goods to qualify. Self-Certification: Under USMCA (replacing NAFTA), importers, exporters, or producers can self-certify origin without a formal certificate.
When is a Certificate of Origin Required?
A CO may be required by: the customs authority at the destination country (some countries require it for all commercial imports), the buyer's bank for Letter of Credit transactions, trade agreement qualification (to get preferential duty rates), government procurement requirements, or specific commodity regulations. Note: US customs does NOT always require a formal CO — origin is typically declared on the commercial invoice. However, to claim FTA benefits (e.g., USMCA) or GSP preferential rates, proper origin documentation is essential.
How to Obtain a Certificate of Origin
Non-Preferential CO: Typically issued by the Chamber of Commerce at the origin country. The exporter submits the commercial invoice and a draft CO, the Chamber reviews and stamps it. Preferential CO (e.g., USMCA): The exporter completes the self-certification or requests a CO from the relevant authority, confirming the goods meet the specific rules of origin under the FTA. Our team can advise on rules of origin requirements, help prepare supporting documentation, and coordinate with local chambers of commerce or trade authorities to obtain the correct certificate.
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