Certificate of origin (CO) is an important international trade document confirming that the goods have been wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.
In Singapore, there are two main types of Certificates of Origin:
- Ordinary Certificates of Origin (OCO)
- Preferential Certificates of Origin (PCO)
Ordinary Certificate of Origin (OCO)
An Ordinary Certificate of Origin is used to attest the origin of goods but does not provide any tariff benefits. This type of CO is typically required for customs clearance, importers, freight forwarders, or banks for the clearance of Letters of Credit.
Issuance: Ordinary Certificate of Origin issued by authorized organizations such as:
- Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
- Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Singapore Manufacturing Federation
Application Process
Signature witnessing: Is a legal process where a witness observes an Exporter/Manufacturer/Person in Charge signing document and then signs the document themselves to confirm that they witnessed the signing.
Authorised Signatories: In the event of Person in Charge (PIC) is signing of all documents, a specimen signature of authorised signatories is required.
Original documents: If they are not available, clear photocopies are to be marked “CERTIFIED TRUE COPY” and signed by the authorised signatories.
Phone call verification: Chamber may, in its own discretion, to make phone call to Exporter/Manufacturer/Person in Charge for verification. Therefore the exporter must make himself available to attend to the phone call.
Documentation endorsement: All documents need to be endorse by Chamber of commerce including original Invoice, packing list and Letter of Indemnity.
Collection of Ordinary Certificate of Origin (OCO): All Chamber able to process and approved CO documents on the same day (Subject to submission time).
Once OCO is ready for collection, exporter (Not Gudang Shipping) then collect and courier the full set of documents to the receiver.
Preferential Certificate of Origin (PCO)
A Preferential Certificate of Origin allows exporters to benefit from reduced or zero tariffs under various Free Trade Agreemen (FTAs) or Schemes of Preferences. This type of CO is essential for exporters looking to take advantage of tariff concessions when exporting goods to countries with which Singapore has FTAs.
Issuance: Preferential Certificate of Origin issued exclusively by Singapore Customs. To check whether the goods are covered under the Free Trade Agreement or Schemes of Preferences and the preferential tariffs, you may refer to Enterprise Singapore’s Tariff Finder Tool to assist you.
Application Process
Register Manufacturing Premises: Exporters must first register their manufacturing premises with Singapore Customs. This involves submitting an application form along with supporting documents.
Exporter Submit Cost Statement to Customs: After registration, exporters need to submit a manufacturing cost statement to verify that the goods meet the origin criteria under the respective FTAs or Schemes of Preferences.
Apply via TradeNet: Gudang Shipping can then apply for the PCO and the necessary export permits through TradeNet.
Collect the Preferential Certificate of Origin: Once PCO is approved and ready for collection, Exporter then collect and courier the full set of PCO to the receiver.
Collection by authorised person (Not Gudang Shipping): In the event Preferential Certificate of Origin is collect by authorised person, an original Letter of Authorisation from manufacturer is required.
