Certificate of Origin

Customer-managed Certificate of Origin (C/O) is an official document applied for by the exporter or manufacturer at the request of the customer, issued by authorized institutions such as the CCPIT or Customs, certifying that the goods originate from a specific country or region. In foreign trade practice, customers (importers) often need this certificate to enjoy tariff preferences, meet import customs requirements, or clear customs. Usage scenarios include: General Certificate of Origin (CO), Generalized System of Preferences Certificate of Origin (FORM A), Free Trade Agreement Certificates of Origin (e.g., FORM E, FORM F), etc. Precautions: Ensure the origin criteria of the goods meet the import country's requirements, the certificate content matches the commercial invoice and bill of lading, and the application time is usually before shipment or within a specified period after shipment. When combined with 'customer management', it emphasizes that the customer initiates the request, and the exporter assists in processing and managing the certificate process. Difference: Ordinary CO only proves origin and does not directly reduce tariffs; preferential certificates of origin can bring tariff preferences but must meet specific rules of origin. Foreign trade practitioners should be familiar with the filling specifications of different certificates and the specific requirements of the customer's country.