Certificate of Origin
Obtain a certificate of origin for goods you export, via your local chamber of commerce.
Learn how to fileWhat this is
A certificate of origin (CO) states the country where your goods were produced. Customs authorities in the destination country use it to apply the correct duty rate and to confirm eligibility under a trade agreement.
Before you start
- A commercial invoice for the shipment
- A packing list with quantities and weights
- The Harmonized System (HS) codes for the goods
- Manufacturer details and the country of production
How to get it — step by step
- 1
Decide whether you need a generic CO or a preferential CO under a specific free-trade agreement — the destination customs broker can confirm.
- 2
Prepare the commercial invoice, packing list and HS codes for the shipment.
- 3
Register with your local or state chamber of commerce that issues COs (many now do this online).
- 4
Submit the shipment documents, pay the issuance fee, and have the chamber stamp / electronically sign the certificate.
- 5
Send the signed certificate to your freight forwarder and keep a copy with the shipment records.
Once you have the document, upload it in your dashboard so an administrator can verify it.