Certificate of origin: the document that changes the duty.
Late or wrong, it costs either the FTA rate or a week at the port.
In short. How a certificate of origin works, the difference between non-preferential and preferential (FTA) certificates, who issues them in China, India and Vietnam, and what happens when it arrives late.
Two kinds
- Non-preferential CO — states where the goods were made. Issued by a chamber of commerce (in China, the CCPIT) or a trade authority. Needed for import licensing, quotas and labelling in many markets.
- Preferential CO — proves origin under a free-trade agreement (RCEP, ASEAN–China, China–Korea, Japan–ASEAN, India–ASEAN and others), so the importer pays the FTA duty rate instead of the standard one. Issued by the authority the agreement names, on that agreement's form, with its own origin rules.
Who issues it
China: CCPIT (non-preferential) or customs (preferential, e.g. RCEP Form). India: chambers and export promotion councils, with preferential COs from designated agencies. Vietnam: the Ministry of Industry and Trade and VCCI. The supplier applies after shipment with the invoice, packing list and B/L, so the CO is usually the last document to arrive — and the one clearance waits for.
Common failures
- HS code on the CO does not match the invoice.
- Consignee name differs from the B/L.
- Wrong form for the FTA claimed.
- Issued after arrival, so the FTA rate is lost or must be claimed back.
Pacifica lists the CO as a required document when the PO or destination needs it, requests it from the supplier at departure, and flags the Shipping Documents stage incomplete until it is filed — before the container lands.
Questions
Do I need a certificate of origin for every shipment?
Not always. You need one when the destination requires it for the product, or when you want a preferential duty rate under an FTA. Your broker will tell you which.
Can a CO be issued after shipment?
Yes; most are. Retroactive issuance is allowed under many FTAs within a time limit, but arriving after clearance often means paying full duty and claiming a refund.
Who pays for the CO?
The supplier applies and usually pays the issuing fee; it is normally part of an FOB/CIF price.
Related
See it on your own orders.
Launch your workspace in 30 seconds. First month free.