A Certificate of Origin is a document required by foreign governments that validates country of origin. The country of origin is the country where the product was manufactured or last underwent a substantial change or modification. Even though the commercial invoice usually includes a statement of origin, all countries require that a separate certificate be completed, excepting certain countries engaged in Free Trade Agreements. There is a general Certificate of Origin, and there are other Certificates of Origin created specifically for trade between countries engaged in an FTA.

 

The certificate of origin must be signed by the exporter and in almost all cases, notarized, and then validated by a locally designated agency in order to be acceptable and valid. This will require the presentation of not only the Certificate of Origin, but an Invoice as well. In most countries the designated agency is the Chamber or Department of Commerce.