Certified Translation

Certified Translation refers to a translated document issued by a qualified translation agency or translator, accompanied by a Certification Statement declaring that the translation is consistent with the original and that the translator possesses the necessary language proficiency. In foreign trade, it is commonly used for cross-language conversion of legal or commercial documents such as contracts, invoices, bills of lading, certificates of origin, business licenses, and powers of attorney. Use cases include: submitting registration documents to overseas clients or government agencies, participating in international bidding, and handling customs clearance or foreign exchange settlement when the counterparty requires a certified translation. Notes: Certified Translation is not the same as Notarization; the former is self-certified by the translator, while the latter requires a notary's witness. Some countries (e.g., the UAE, Spanish-speaking countries) require the translation to be further authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an embassy/consulate (Legalization/Apostille). The difference from ordinary translation is that certified translation must bear the translator's or agency's stamp, signature, date, and contact information, and entails legal liability. Foreign trade practitioners should confirm the specific translation certification requirements of the importing country to avoid customs delays or contract disputes caused by non-compliant documents.