certificate of origin form

Glossary : Customs : CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN FORM

A Certificate of Origin form is a document, required by foreign governments, declaring that goods in a particular international shipment are of a certain origin. Even though the commercial invoice usually includes a statement of origin, some countries require that a separate certificate be completed. Customs offices will use the Certificate of Origin form to determine whether or not a preferential duty rate applies on the products being imported and whether a shipment may be legally imported during a specific quota period.

A Certificate of Origin is a signed statement as to the country of origin of the exported products for a particular shipment. The country of origin is NOT the country from where the product is shipped. The country of origin is the country where the product was manufactured or last underwent a substantial change or modification, for WTO members, goods can be considered originating if there is a shift of at least two chapters in the harmonized code.

For example, the country of origin for 100% cotton, knit shirts that are manufactured in China and then shipped to the U.S. and have a logo or slogan placed on them, and are then exported to Canada, would be China. However, if the cotton knit fabric was manufactured in China and then shipped to the U.S. and the fabric was transformed into shirts and are then exported to Canada, the country of origin would be considered the U.S.

Free Certificate of Origin forms are available on our website.