What is a certificate of origin?

The certificate of origin is an official document that attests the origin of an exported product. It makes it possible to determine the country of origin of the product and thus to benefit from tariff advantages during commercial exchanges.

What is the purpose of a certificate of origin?

The certificate of origin is a key element in the export process. Indeed, some countries impose higher customs duties on imported products from countries that are not members of trade agreements. This certificate allows to prove the origin of the product and to benefit from preferential tariffs.

It is also necessary for the application of import or export quotas, as well as for compliance with safety, health and environmental standards.

The different types of certificates of origin

There are several types of certificates of origin depending on the export destination and the trade agreement that governs the trade. Here are the main ones:

Non-preferential certificate of origin

It is generally used for countries that do not have free trade or trade preference agreements with the exporting country. 
Unlike preferential origin, in the presence of a free trade agreement, no preferential tariff or duty exemption will be granted upon presentation of this document.
For various reasons, countries and importers require that goods imported into their territory be accompanied by a legalized certificate of origin and/or a commercial invoice approved by the Chamber of Commerce, e.g., to monitor import restrictions, anti-dumping measures, countervailing duties, trade embargoes, tariff quotas, for statistical purposes or simply to prove the origin as commercially negotiated.

Preferential Certificate of Origin

It is used for countries with which the exporting country has signed a free trade agreement or a trade preference agreement. This type of certificate of origin allows exporters to benefit from preferential tariffs on exported goods.
However, it should be noted that the rules of origin may differ from one agreement to another and the criteria may vary depending on the customs position. Goods must originate in one or other of the signatory countries of the agreement to benefit from preferential tariffs.
Proof of preferential origin will be provided either by the presentation of a movement certificate, EUR 1 / EUR-MED / EUR 1 CN (China), or by an invoice declaration of origin.

Why is a Certificate of Origin important?

Is essential for exporters wishing to benefit from preferential tariffs in their trade. Without it, it is often difficult to prove the exact origin of the product, which can lead to additional costs related to customs duties.

The certificate of origin also helps to meet import and export regulatory and safety requirements, thus ensuring the quality of traded products.

How to obtain a certificate of origin?

To obtain a certificate of origin, it is necessary to contact the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the place of shipment. The applicant must provide documents such as the commercial invoice, the bill of lading and some application form.

The Chamber of Commerce then conducts checks to ensure that the product meets the required origin criteria. If the requirements are met, the certificate of origin is issued.

In conclusion, the certificate of origin is an essential document for any exporter wishing to benefit from preferential tariffs during trade, it allows to prove the origin of products. It also guarantees the quality and safety of the exported products.