Certificate of Origin

The certificate of origin (COO) is used to identify the country of manufacture of the goods in your export shipment. It may have to be certified by a chamber of commerce or consulate. Some countries have free trade agreements (FTAs) with each other that specify a version of the certificate of origin form. Many countries accept a generic certificate of origin or even a statement of origin on the commercial invoice. Most countries also accept an electronic certificate of origin (eCO) that has been electronically signed by a chamber of commerce, who then registers the legitimacy of the certificate with customs authorities around the world. Using an eCO can be faster and less expensive than traditional paper certificates. A generic certificate of origin usually includes: the exporter and importer name and address; a description of the goods including the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) Code and the country of origin for each item; the certification statement used by the chamber of commerce or consulate certifying the goods along with their signature and stamp; the location where and when the certification took place.