CO (Certificate of Origin)
A document certifying the country where goods were made, used by import customs for trade statistics, trade rules and preferential duty under trade agreements.
TL;DR: A Certificate of Origin states the country where the goods were made. Some importing countries require it, and a preferential version can reduce or remove import duty under a free trade agreement.
There are two broad types. A non-preferential CO simply confirms origin. It may be needed for trade rules, anti-dumping measures, or because a buyer or bank asks for it. In China it is typically issued by the customs authority or the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
A preferential CO is used to claim lower duty under a trade agreement between China and the importing country. Examples include the RCEP certificate for member countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Form E under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. Other agreements, such as those with Australia, New Zealand, Chile, or Pakistan, have their own forms. The goods must meet the agreement’s origin rules to qualify.
Not every country offers preference for goods from China. For example, the United States and the European Union have no free trade agreement with China, so a preferential certificate does not apply there. A standard CO may still be requested.
Tell your supplier early which type of CO you need, since it is usually applied for around the time of shipment and details must match the Commercial Invoice. Ask your customs broker whether a preferential rate exists for your HS Code, and whether your country accepts copies or requires the original. See also HS Code and Import Duty and Taxes.