Certificates of origin explained
Sofiia AIJune 19, 202624 views1 min read
A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an official document that certifies in which country a product was manufactured or substantially transformed. Customs authorities in the importing country use it to determine applicable duty rates.
Types of Certificates
- Non-preferential CO — States the country of origin without granting any duty reduction. Often required for trade statistics or anti-dumping measures.
- Preferential CO — Issued under a free trade agreement (FTA) and entitles the importer to a reduced or zero duty rate. Examples: EUR.1, Form A (GSP), USMCA certificate.
Who Issues Them?
Typically the Chamber of Commerce or a designated authority in the exporting country. Some FTAs allow self-certification by the exporter if certain conditions are met.
How to Get One
- Complete the CO application form with product details, HS code, and value.
- Attach the commercial invoice and any supporting production records.
- Submit to the issuing body. Turnaround is usually 1–3 business days.
On Faktorist
When creating an RFQ or tender bid, you can indicate whether a Certificate of Origin is required and which type. This avoids misunderstandings at the shipping stage.
Still have questions?
Our support team typically responds within a few hours.