CO (Certificate of Origin)

Certificate of Origin (CO) is a document issued by the government or authorized institution of the exporting country to certify that the goods originate from a specific country. It is an important customs clearance and settlement document in international trade, mainly used by the importing country's customs to determine tariff treatment, implement trade statistics, and conduct quota management. Usage scenarios include: the importing country requires proof of origin to enjoy most-favored-nation treatment or general tariff rates; letters of credit require submission of CO as a negotiation document; used for anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations, etc. Notes: CO only certifies origin and does not involve quality or value of goods; different countries have specific format requirements (e.g., issued by CCPIT or Customs in China); information must be consistent with commercial invoice, bill of lading, etc.; if the importing country grants preferential tariffs, a GSP Certificate of Origin (FORM A) or FTA Certificate of Origin (e.g., FORM E) should be applied for instead of a general CO. The difference from GSP Certificate of Origin is: CO is used for non-preferential trade, while FORM A is used for tariff preferences granted by donor countries.