Customs & Clearance · Reference Entry

Certificate of Origin

certificates of origin (pl.)

/səˈtɪfɪkət əv ˈɒrɪdʒɪn/
/sərˈtɪfɪkət əv ˈɔːrɪdʒɪn/
noun Customs & Clearance sir-TIF-uh-kuht uhv OR-ih-jin Also: COO · Certificate of Origin · C/O

A document stating the country where a product was made or processed, used for customs and trade purposes.

Published 2026-09-22 Category: Customs & Clearance Reviewed by Alex Grant, Editor-in-Chief
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01

Definitions #

A document stating the country where a product was made or processed, used for customs and trade purposes.

Technical A legal document attesting the country of origin of goods, often required to determine tariffs, quotas, or trade preferences.

02

Etymology #

From 'certificate' (a document certifying a fact) and 'origin' (source), tracing to mercantile practice.

03

Collocations #

  • issued by a chamber of commerce 由商会签发,未经认可的机构可能不被接受
  • preferential origin 享受关税优惠的原产地资格
04

Real Business Examples #

  1. The exporter requested a certificate of origin from the chamber of commerce to support duty-free import.
  2. Customs rejected the shipment because the certificate of origin was missing the issuing authority's seal.
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05

Register & Variants #

  • Register: formal
  • BrE/AmE: global
06

Synonyms & Antonyms #

  • Synonyms: origin certificate, CO
07

Common Errors #

  • Using the COO as a substitute for a commercial invoice. The COO only proves origin; the commercial invoice covers value and description of goods.
  • Issuing a COO without a valid signature or stamp. Many customs authorities require a recognized authority (e.g., chamber of commerce) to sign and stamp the document.
08

Confusable Terms #

Phytosanitary certificate vs Certificate of Origin
A phytosanitary certificate is for plant products to show they meet quarantine requirements, not for proving origin.
09

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues a certificate of origin??

Usually a chamber of commerce or a competent government authority.

Is a certificate of origin required for all shipments??

Not always; it depends on the trade agreement, product, and destination customs rules.

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Published: 2026-09-22 Category: Customs & Clearance