EXPORT: CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN
A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an important international trade document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.
The Chamber of Commerce have been authorized by customs agencies to certify non-preferential, and in some cases, preferential certificates of origin. The Chambers' role in the attestation of Certificates of Origin (CO) is both unique and vital in facilitating international trade. Each CO must be stamped with the official CO seal of the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce issues "Non-Preferential CO's," i.e. “ordinary COs,” which certify that the country of origin of a particular product does not qualify for any preferential treatment.
The CO may be required because of established treaty arrangements, varying duty rates, and preferential duty treatment dependent on the shipment´s origin.
OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN
- Fill out an appropriate Certification affidavit and have it notarized.
- Provide either a manufacture invoice or commercial invoice indicating where your goods are manufactured.
- Complete the certificate of origin document.
- Email your notarized affidavit, certificate of origin document, and corresponding invoices to your chamber of commerce. If you email the documents, indicate which documents you would like to be stamped.
- Please remember to email proof of your position and identity of the signatory. If the Chamber is presented with a declaration attesting to commercial details, the accuracy of which it cannot check it must confine itself to stamping the document attesting to the position and the identity of the signatory only. If the business is not a member of the Chamber, and we are not able to personally identify you as an agent, please provide additional documentation such a business licence, business registration, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTES ON WORKING WITH OUR CHAMBER
The Chamber can’t know if the information you’re providing is accurate.
Our Chamber certifies only that which they are able to verify. Certification guarantees the accuracy or truth of information contained in the document and is expressed by using the word 'certified.' Certification may be given for the whole document or may be limited to the position and identity of the Signatory. If the Chamber is presented with a declaration attesting to commercial details, the accuracy of which it cannot check it must confine itself to stamping the document attesting to the position and the identity of the signatory.
You can’t stamp the document yourself.
Exporters may find the cost of stamping a certificate of origin extreme and want to do it themselves with a seal provided by the Chamber of Commerce. This is NOT permitted, because it isn’t a true validation.
NOTE: The rules for when a CO is needed change often. Please be sure to verify the current criteria requiring a CO before sending your shipment.
