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What is Certificate of Origin (COO)? Know its meaning and types
Certificate of Origin (COO) is a document that verifies the country of origin for a shipment of goods. Learn more about its types, benefits, and the process to get it.
A Certificate of Origin (COO) is an essential exports document that certifies the country where goods are manufactured. This certificate is relevant for customs clearance, determining tariff rates, and ensuring compliance with trade agreements. Different COOs may apply depending on the type of trade. This blog post explores the meaning, types, benefits, and the step-by-step process of obtaining a COO.
What is Certificate of Origin (COO)?
A Certificate of Origin (COO) is an official document that certifies the country where a particular product was manufactured or produced. It also provides essential information about the product, its destination, and the country of export.
It is crucial in international trade as it helps determine applicable tariffs and ensures that goods comply with the legal requirements of the importing country. COO plays a vital role in ensuring that goods receive preferential treatment under free trade agreements, as it is used to levy the appropriate import tax.1
It is crucial in international trade as it helps determine applicable tariffs and ensures that goods comply with the legal requirements of the importing country. COO plays a vital role in ensuring that goods receive preferential treatment under free trade agreements, as it is used to levy the appropriate import tax.1
Importance of Certificate of Origin (COO)
COO is important for various reasons, such as:
● Compliance with customs regulations:
Importing countries often require a COO to ensure that goods comply with their specific regulations and trade policies.
● Preferential tariff rates:
Many countries have trade agreements that offer reduced or eliminated tariffs for goods originating from specific countries. A COO is necessary to claim these preferential rates.
● Trade statistics and quotas:
COOs help governments track trade flows and enforce quotas, ensuring fair trade practices.
● Anti-dumping and countervailing duties:
COO aids in determining if goods are subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duties.
● Consumer confidence:
COO provides assurance to consumers about the origin and quality of the products they purchase.2
Benefits of Certificate of Origin (COO)
The following are some advantages of obtaining a Certificate of Origin:
● Enhanced credibility
A COO serves as proof of the product’s origin, enhancing the credibility of the exporter and building trust with importers and customs authorities.
● Market access
Certain countries require a COO for specific products; having this document ensures compliance with import regulations, thereby facilitating market entry.
● Compliance with trade agreements
COOs ensure compliance with the rules of origin specified in various trade agreements, avoiding potential penalties.3
Types of Certificates of Origin (COO)
There are two primary types of COOs:
Preferential COO
Preferential COO specifies that the products qualify for exemptions or reduced tariffs when exported to a country that extends these privileges. This COO is closely associated with regional trade agreements.
Non-preferential COO
Non-preferential COO is issued to comply with non-preferential rules of origin. It specifies the country of origin of the product but does not grant the exporter the right to receive preferential tariffs under trade agreements between countries.4
Documents required to obtain Certificate of Origin (COO)
Some key documents exporters must submit to obtain a COO are:
● Completed application: A filled and signed COO application form.
● Commercial invoice: Commercial invoice provides details of the goods, price, and terms of sale.
● Packing list: Packing list provides information about packaging, number of packages, and weight.
● Notarized affidavit: A declaration from the exporter affirming that the goods meet origin requirements.
● Export license: Export license is required for controlled goods.
● Additional supporting documents: These vary based on the products and the importing country’s customs authority.5
● Completed application: A filled and signed COO application form.
● Commercial invoice: Commercial invoice provides details of the goods, price, and terms of sale.
● Packing list: Packing list provides information about packaging, number of packages, and weight.
● Notarized affidavit: A declaration from the exporter affirming that the goods meet origin requirements.
● Export license: Export license is required for controlled goods.
● Additional supporting documents: These vary based on the products and the importing country’s customs authority.5
Products requiring Certificate of Origin
The eligibility criteria for obtaining a COO can vary depending on the specific trade agreement and the importing country’s regulations. Generally, products that meet the following criteria require a COO:
● Wholly obtained goods: These are goods that are entirely obtained or produced in a single country, such as minerals, agricultural products, and live animals.
● Substantially transformed goods: These are goods that have undergone significant processing or manufacturing in a particular country, resulting in a substantial change in their tariff classification.
● Goods qualifying rules of origin: Each trade agreement specifies the rules of origin that determine whether a product qualifies for preferential treatment. These rules may include criteria such as tariff shift, regional value content, or specific manufacturing operations.6
● Wholly obtained goods: These are goods that are entirely obtained or produced in a single country, such as minerals, agricultural products, and live animals.
● Substantially transformed goods: These are goods that have undergone significant processing or manufacturing in a particular country, resulting in a substantial change in their tariff classification.
● Goods qualifying rules of origin: Each trade agreement specifies the rules of origin that determine whether a product qualifies for preferential treatment. These rules may include criteria such as tariff shift, regional value content, or specific manufacturing operations.6
Sample format of Certificate of Origin
Contents of a Certificate of Origin
The contents of a COO include:
● Exporter and importer information: Details of both parties involved in the transaction.
● Producer information: Name and contact information of the producer of the product.
● Description of the goods: A clear and detailed description of the products, including their HS codes.
● Transport details: Mode of transport and route taken by the goods.
● Country of origin: The country where the goods were produced or manufactured.
● Quantity and weight: The quantity and weight of the goods being shipped.
● Invoice information: The invoice number and date related to the shipment.
● Issuing authority details: The name, address, and stamp of the issuing authority.7
● Exporter and importer information: Details of both parties involved in the transaction.
● Producer information: Name and contact information of the producer of the product.
● Description of the goods: A clear and detailed description of the products, including their HS codes.
● Transport details: Mode of transport and route taken by the goods.
● Country of origin: The country where the goods were produced or manufactured.
● Quantity and weight: The quantity and weight of the goods being shipped.
● Invoice information: The invoice number and date related to the shipment.
● Issuing authority details: The name, address, and stamp of the issuing authority.7
Certificate of Origin in free trade agreements
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) often include provisions for preferential tariff treatment based on the origin of goods. A COO is essential for claiming these benefits. FTAs specify the rules of origin that determine whether a product qualifies for preferential treatment. COOs are used to verify that goods meet these rules, enabling exporters to benefit from reduced or eliminated tariffs. Examples of FTAs include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the European Union (EU) trade agreements, and various bilateral trade and regional trade agreements.
Procedure to obtain Certificate of Origin (COO)
Certificates of Origin are issued by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Trade Promotion Council of India. Exporters can obtain these through the Trade Connect platform for Issuance of Certificates of Origin. The steps below detail the registration and application process:
Step 1: Register on the Trade Connect portal
● Visit the Trade Connect portal at https://www.trade.gov.in/pages/certificate-of-origin.
● Click on ‘Apply for Certificate of Origin’, then click ‘Start registration’.
● Enter IEC, email, and mobile as per IEC details. Update contact info if needed.
● Fill out the application form. Enter certificate details, export details, import details, and shipping details.
Step 2: Upload the necessary documents
● Attach required documents like invoices and packing lists.
● Enter declaration details as per the form.
Step 3: Submit the COO application
● Preview the application and verify details.
● Make the payment and submit the application.
● You will receive a confirmation notification over email and SMS.9
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who issues a Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is issued by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI).
2. How long is a Certificate of Origin valid for?
From the date of issuance, COO is valid for 12 months.
3. When is a Certificate of Origin required?
COO is required to get clearance from customs before exporting goods from India. If this certificate is not obtained, the authorized officer will not permit the goods to leave the warehouse. Certain countries also list COO as a mandatory document required for entry of imported goods into the country.
4. What is the importance of a Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is vital for international trade as it confirms the origin of goods, helping customs authorities apply the correct tariffs and ensuring compliance with trade agreements. This documentation enables exporters to access reduced tariffs and smooths out the import process for the buyer.
5. What is the usage of Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is used to verify the country of origin of goods, enabling exporters to claim preferential tariff rates under trade agreements and comply with customs regulations. It also helps in trade statistics and ensures that goods meet import requirements. The document is crucial for smooth international transactions
Published on May 16, 2022.
Updated on May 06, 2025.
Sources:
1. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/certificate-of-origin.asp
2. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/certificate-of-origin/
3. https://www.citrusfreight.com/resource/blog/what-is-a-certificate-of-origin-for-exports
4. https://fieo.org/view_section.php?id=0,583
5. https://www.citrusfreight.com/resource/blog/what-is-a-certificate-of-origin-for-exports
6. https://www.indiafilings.com/coo-dgft#:~:text=*%20Products%20Produced%20Exclusively%20in%20the%20Territory:,in%20the%20trade%20agreement%20to%20confer%20origin
7. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/certificate-of-origin.asp
8. https://www.trade.gov/fta-certificates-origin
9. https://content.trade.gov.in/Manual/UserGuide4Exporters_2.pdf
Updated on May 06, 2025.
Sources:
1. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/certificate-of-origin.asp
2. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/certificate-of-origin/
3. https://www.citrusfreight.com/resource/blog/what-is-a-certificate-of-origin-for-exports
4. https://fieo.org/view_section.php?id=0,583
5. https://www.citrusfreight.com/resource/blog/what-is-a-certificate-of-origin-for-exports
6. https://www.indiafilings.com/coo-dgft#:~:text=*%20Products%20Produced%20Exclusively%20in%20the%20Territory:,in%20the%20trade%20agreement%20to%20confer%20origin
7. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/certificate-of-origin.asp
8. https://www.trade.gov/fta-certificates-origin
9. https://content.trade.gov.in/Manual/UserGuide4Exporters_2.pdf
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*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
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