As Norfolk Chambers International Team, we do our best to help exporters complete documentation as painlessly as possible. To that end we’re examining some of the core rules which govern the certification process of documents, including Certificates of Origin as well as the rules regarding the stamping of other documents including invoices.
1. Producing a Certificate of Origin which includes Foreign Origin Goods
Here, we’ll be looking at what you need to do when producing a Certificate of Origin (hereafter referred to as a “C of O”) which includes goods of foreign origin.
For the purposes of completing a C of O, Box 3 on the front must include the country/ies of origin of all the goods being shipped. On the back of the pink application page, the manufacturers names and addresses of EVERY ITEM, must also be shown.
Many exporters get confused as to which boxes to tick on the back of the pink page, so here is a quick guide:
BOX 1
For goods that are naturally produced/grown/raised in the UK i.e. fruit, vegetables, animals, fish etc.
BOX 2
For goods that are manufactured through a process in the UK. This could include raw materials from overseas but if they are being used to manufacture something else, this changes the origin to UK. Most goods produced/manufactured in the UK will fall under this category.
BOX 3
For goods that were manufactured anywhere outside the UK.
Please note – you can tick more than one box.
FOR UK ORIGIN GOODS:
All we need to see is “United Kingdom” in Box 3, and the names and addresses of the manufacturers on the back of the pink page
FOR FOREIGN ORIGIN GOODS
We will need to see the correct country/ies listed in Box 3, the names and addresses of the manufacturers on the back of the pink page and also, documentary proof of their origin. This must be in the form of a commercial document from the manufacturer such as:
- Certificate of Origin of a responsible body in the country of export
- Copy of the invoice from the manufacture
- A declaration by the actual producer or manufacturer of the goods
Just think of the C of O as a “Certificate of Manufacture” – the Chamber’s role is to certify WHERE the goods were manufactured – to do this, we need proof. As such, when you’re providing us with details of foreign origin goods, we are looking for the manufacturer’s details, not the supplier.
If you buy the goods from an agent/supplier, for commercial reasons they may not be willing to provide you with the manufacturers details. They can however, provide this to us directly and under UK Rules, we will keep this information completely confidential.
2. Having a signature on a document attested by the Chamber
Here we consider the process by which the Chamber stamps attest signature on documents that aren’t Certificates of Origin such as: invoices, health certificates and agency agreements and so forth.
When a chamber stamps a document such as invoice what we’re doing is not stamping the document to state that it’s correct or true.
Instead what we’re doing is stamping to confirm we recognise the signature on the document.
That’s why, when you need the Chamber to stamp a document, such as an invoice, you must ensure that someone on the Formal Undertaking that the Chamber holds with your company has counter-signed the document. When the Chamber receives the document we then check the signature on the document against your Formal Undertaking and if matches up then we’ll be able to stamp the document in question.
If you have any further questions, please contact the International Trade Team on 01603 729716 or at [email protected]
