1. Overview of CO and FORM E Certificate of Origin
A Certificate of Origin is an official document certifying that goods originate from a specific country or region, which serves as a key credential for importers to obtain tariff preferences.
CO, namely Ordinary Certificate of Origin, is a general document proving goods are manufactured in China. It does not entitle recipients to special tariff concessions and is mainly used to verify the origin of commodities in international trade.
FORM E, fully named Certificate of Origin Under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Between China and ASEAN Countries, is the core document for tariff reduction and exemption between China and the ten ASEAN member states. If products comply with relevant rules of origin and are exported to Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam, holders of FORM E can enjoy zero or reduced tariffs at local customs.
For example, electromechanical accessories exported to Thailand are normally subject to a 5% tariff, which can be fully waived with a valid FORM E. This brings tangible benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises with narrow profit margins.
2. Pre-application Preparations
2.1 Verify Product Eligibility
Not all products are eligible for FORM E application. The application is subject to two core criteria: Regional Value Content or Change of Tariff Classification.
In general, products qualify if materials sourced from China or ASEAN member states account for over 40% of the total value, or if the goods undergo substantial processing that results in a change of HS Code.
For instance, garments cut and sewn in Vietnam using fabrics imported from China usually fail to meet the standards due to simple processing. By contrast, products made via a complete production process including yarn spinning, weaving, dyeing and garment making in China are acceptable. Enterprises shall check the specific rules corresponding to their product HS Codes before declaration.
For CO application, goods are generally eligible as long as they are produced in China.
2.2 Enterprise Registration & Filing
Enterprise Registration
Enterprises shall complete registration on official platforms such as the China International Trade Single Window. Fill in corporate basic information including Chinese and English name, address, organization code and legal representative, and upload scanned copies of business license and Foreign Trade Operator Registration Certificate.
Company Seal & Applicant Filing
File specimens of corporate Chinese and English seals, as well as personal information of designated applicants including name, ID number and contact details. Applicants must receive professional training and obtain relevant qualification certificates.
Product Filing
Submit product information for FORM E application, covering HS Code, Chinese and English product name, raw material sources and production procedures. Relevant product information is also required for CO filing to verify production background.
3. Application Procedures for FORM E Certificate of Origin
3.1 Pre-review of Products
After completing enterprise filing, submit product pre-review application via official systems with detailed information on HS Code, product name, raw materials and production processes. Customs authorities or China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) will review whether the products meet China’s rules of origin in accordance with China-ASEAN agreements.
3.2 Certificate Declaration
Enterprises may submit applications via the China International Trade Single Window, Internet + Customs platform or CCPIT declaration system.
Select the service of Certificate of Origin Application, and truthfully fill in details of exporter, importer, transportation information (vessel name, voyage number, bill of lading number, port of loading and port of destination), as well as product information including name, specification, quantity and value. Select the applicable rule of origin accordingly.
Upload scanned supporting documents such as commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading. Additional documents regarding production procedures and raw material sources shall be provided if required.
3.3 Certificate Issuance
Relevant authorities will examine all submitted documents and conduct on-site inspection when necessary. Once approved:
Certificates for goods exported to Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam support self-printing.
Step 1: Log in to the China International Trade Single Window with the corporate IC card of E-port. Upload corporate seals and authorized signatures under the Self-printing & Seal Management module, and complete authorization settings.
Step 2: Print the formal certificate in color on A4 paper via the Single Window or Integrated Customs Service Platform.
For other destinations, use blank certificate papers for data entry and complete issuance formalities at designated customs offices. Enterprises may also go through on-site issuance procedures at customs or CCPIT to collect stamped paper certificates.
4. Application Procedures for CO Certificate of Origin
4.1 Application
Log in to the registered platform (Single Window / CCPIT System), enter the Certificate of Origin Declaration module and select CO as the certificate type. Fill in information of consignor, consignee, goods (HS Code, product name, quantity, value), rule of origin and transportation details.
4.2 Review
Submit all documents for combined automatic system verification and manual review. The processing normally takes 1 to 3 working days, and expedited service is available for same-day issuance.
4.3 Payment & Collection
Electronic Certificate (Recommended)
Complete online payment after approval. Download the official stamped PDF certificate, which is globally recognized and can be sent directly to overseas clients for customs clearance. Each certificate charges a nominal fee.
Paper Certificate
Print the system-generated document, affix official stamps and collect the original plus two copies, which can be delivered together with goods or sent to clients separately.
5. Common Issues & Solutions
5.1 Mark & Shipping Mark Issues
If the mark contains special characters or patterns, enter SEE ATTACHMENT in the mark column. For ECFA Certificate of Origin, fill in the specified remarks. Attach printed marks on the back of the certificate or separate A4 papers, and submit all documents to customs for verification.
For China-South Korea FTA Certificate of Origin and China-Georgia FTA Certificate of Origin, enter I/S or IMAGE AND SYMBOL if graphic marks are involved.
5.2 Certificate Amendment
If revision or supplement is needed for an issued certificate, applicants may apply for amendment to the original issuing authority within the validity period and return the original certificate.
In case of loss or damage of the original certificate, apply for a certified true copy within the validity period. The reissued document will be marked “Reissued” with a note indicating the original certificate is invalid.
5.3 Reissue of Certificates
In accordance with Measures for the Administration of Issuance of Export Goods Certificates of Origin (General Administration of Customs Decree No. 270), applicants may apply for certificate reissue within 1 year after goods shipment, together with shipping documents such as bill of lading. Special provisions under relevant free trade agreements shall prevail.
Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement Certificate: Application must be submitted upon export or within 3 working days after shipment; no late application is accepted.
ECFA Certificate: Reissue application shall be filed within 90 days after customs declaration.
China-ASEAN & China-Cambodia FTA Certificates: Applications submitted within 3 working days after shipment are not deemed as reissue.
China-South Korea FTA Certificate: Applications submitted within 7 working days after shipment are not deemed as reissue.
China-Pakistan FTA Certificate: Documents issued within 15 days after export are not deemed as reissue.
6. Authorized Agency Service
Enterprises may entrust qualified professional agencies to handle the whole application process if self-application is complicated.
Required Documents for FORM E Agency Service
Completed FORM E application form with full exporter, importer and product information
Copy of exporter’s business license or company registration document
Copy of commercial invoice or sales contract
Product ingredient list (if applicable)
Bill of lading or other shipping documents (if required)
Agency Procedures
Contact qualified service providers online or locally.
Submit all required documents, or authorize the agency to fill out application forms.
The agency will check and verify all information for accuracy and completeness.
Submit qualified applications to official authorities.
Await official review, which generally takes 1 to 2 working days.
Collect the finished FORM E certificate upon notification.
The above procedures are also applicable to CO certificate agency service. Simply provide corporate and product documents to the agent for full processing.
Conclusion
To obtain certificates smoothly and enjoy corresponding trade preferences, enterprises shall get familiar with relevant rules and application procedures for CO and FORM E Certificate of Origin and make adequate preparations in advance. Please communicate with competent authorities or professional agencies timely if any problems occur during application.