Certificates of Origin

The 1923 Geneva Convention named Chambers of Commerce the official body to issue, sign and stamp Certificates of Origin worldwide. Chambers of Commerce are asked to stamp and sign documents called certificates of origin. These certificates are prepared by exporting companies (or their agents, known as freight forwarders) to show where their products were made. For chambers, the key task is not to find where the products were made, but to check that the documents are correctly completed, the certificate of origin matches the commercial invoice, and the document is signed by a designated person from the exporter. Many chambers do not charge for this service, but ACCE recommends that they do – because to do this job correctly requires training and careful attention. Chambers should absolutely not lend out their corporate seals to any company. ACCE has a corporate partner, eCertify, which provides an electronic means of handling certificates of origin.

Chambers automatically have the authority to issue Certificates of Origin and you can obtain a stamp (seal) from any rubber stamp-making company (the chamber tells/shows them what the chamber seal looks like (if you have one) or create a seal if you don’t have one).

Articles & Blog Posts

• The Origin of Certificates of Origin, by Ben Goldstein, ACCE Blog (August 2017)
• About Certificates of Origin, by the HERO Team, Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2016)
• Letter to ACCE from the World Chambers Federation about Chamber Role in Issuing Certificates of Origin (5/27/2011)
• Market Shift: Chambers Sharpen Certificate of Origin Processing - by Chris Mead, Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2011)
• Getting Paid for Trade - by Chris Mead, Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2010)

Chamber Samples

• Sample Letter of Indemnity - This sample document is based on the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) example letter of indemnity.
• Electronically Processing Export Documents - Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce (N.C.)
• Certificate of Origin or Export Help - Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber (Ohio)
• Certificate of Origin Resource Page - Grapevine Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
• Certificate of Origin Information and Instructions - Outlines the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce's policy, with reasons behind the process and examples of the documentation required as well as the cost for this service.
• Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification Agreement
• Electronic Certificates of Origin - Howard County Chamber of Commerce (Md.)
• Electronic Certificates of Origin - Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
• International Trade and Certificates of Origin - Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Certification of Export Documents Program - Application, Rules, and Regulations - Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Email to Foreign Embassies about a new Chamber seal - Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Export Compliance Coordinator position description - Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Certificate of Origin Information, Policy, and Instructions - Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce (Mass.) See form samples for Certificate Of Origin Application and Co-Affidavit for Certificate of Origin.
• Certificate of Origin Business Resource - Tulsa Regional Chamber (Okla.) includes process, steps and Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification Agreement.
• See all Certificate of Origin examples in ACCE's Samples Library

Convention & Seminar Resources

• Certificates of Origin: The Latest Trends - Session recording from the 2017 Convention in Nashville is available for purchase in the ACCE Bookstore. Presentation Handout is also available for download.

Videos, Webinars & ACCE U Resources

• Chamber Revenue Programs Survey - by Chris Mead, free ACCE University Webinar (June 2016). See also Presentation Handout.
• Certificates of Origin: Behind the Crackdown-The Egyptian Consul General Explains - by Alaa Issa, Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Houston, TX, free ACCE University Webinar (May 2011). See accompanying resources:
• Egyptian Official Uncovers Export Fraud - ACCE news article (5/19/2011)
• Bogus Certificates Crackdown - ACCE news article (4/7/2011)

Additional Background Information

• Export.gov gives a list of Common Export Documents including Certificates of Origin and provides a generic sample for download. Export.gov also provides a basic overview on Certificates of Origin and includes sample forms.
• The International Chamber of Commerce has detailed Certificates of Origin information including guidelines and training.
• eBook - International Certificate of Origin Guidelines from the United States Council for International Business (USCIB)

ACCE's Business Members

• eCertify - ACCE's partner in Electronic Certificates of Origin
• Read eCertify's What Every CEO Needs to Know About Certificates of Origin (PDF).
• American World Trade Chamber of Commerce (AWTCC) - A 501(c)(6) nonprofit, AWTCC processes Certificates of Origin and other export related documents for U.S. companies.

Chamberpedia Home | Non-Dues Revenue | Certificates of Origin

Last Updated: 8/31/2018