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

About Certificates of Origin, by the HERO Team, Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2016)
Loose oversight of "Made in USA" export certificates undermines U.S. business, experts warn - This news article, published in the Tribune-Review, discusses concerns surrounding certificates of origin and describes the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber’s process of issuing these documents (4/27/2013)
A Pressing Issue: Chamber Stamps for Certificates of Origin - Blog post by Chris Mead on US Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division website about chambers of commerce and stamp lending (9/21/2011)
Letter to ACCE from the World Chambers Federation about Chamber Role in Issuing Certificates of Origin (5/27/2011)
Egyptian Official Uncovers Export Fraud - ACCE news article (5/19/2011)
Bogus Certificates Crackdown - ACCE news article (4/7/2011)
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)

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
Certificate of Origin Resource Page - Grapevine Chamber of Commerce

Certificate of Origin Information and Instructions - Outlines the Grapevine Chamber'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 - Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Certificates of Origin Signatories Sign-in Form - Los Angeles Area Chamber
Certificates of Origin Transaction Log - Los Angeles Area Chamber

International Trade and Certificates of Origin - Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Certification of Export Documents Program - Application, Rules, and Regulations from Northern Kentucky Chamber
Email to Foreign Embassies about a new Chamber seal - Northern Kentucky Chamber
Export Compliance Coordinator position description - Northern Kentucky Chamber
A Pressing Issue: Chamber Stamps for Certificates of Origin - Blog post by Chris Mead, ACCE, for NKC (September 2011)

Certificate of Origin Business Resource - Tulsa Regional Chamber includes process, steps and Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification Agreement.

Convention & Seminar Resources

Exceptional Funding Track Pack (5 Sessions) from the 2013 ACCE Annual Convention, available for purchase through the ACCE Store, includes tracks on:

The Foundation Rain Dance
Memberships as Products
ABCs of Affinities (Video)
Total Resource Campaigns: Yes, No, Maybe? (Video)
Electronic Certificates of Origin: Get with the Program!

Certificates of Origin Presentation - PowerPoint from the 2012 ACCE Annual Convention
Don't Give Out Your Seal... And Much More on COOs - Recording from the 2011 ACCE Convention

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).
Chamber Essentials for Issuing Certificates of Origin - ACCE University eCourse, available for purchase through the ACCE Store

Additional Background Information

Export.gov gives a list of Common Export Documents including Certificates of Origin and provides a generic sample for download.
The International Chamber of Commerce provides background information on "What is a Certificate of Origin?" and the roles chambers serve in the process.
See the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce page on Certificates of Origin for their clearly articulated process, serving members of the chamber and the community at-large.