Certificate of Origin for international shipments

Definition

A Certificate of Origin is a trade policy document certifying the non-preferential origin of goods. In Germany it is commonly issued by a chamber of commerce. It must be distinguished from preferential origin documents that may support reduced duty under a specific trade agreement.

Why does it matter?

Some destination countries, letters of credit or customers require proof of origin. An incorrect origin or document type can affect import clearance, payment or the application of trade policy measures.

Key points

• Distinguish non-preferential origin from preferential origin.
• Obtain production evidence or supplier declarations in good time.
• Confirm destination requirements and any legalisation before dispatch.

Practical example

A buyer requests a chamber-certified Certificate of Origin for machinery. The exporter submits the application and supporting origin evidence before departure.

Common mistakes

• Automatically treating the country of dispatch as origin
• Confusing a Certificate of Origin with preferential proof
• Checking original or legalisation requirements only after departure