1. What is certificate of origin?
A certificate of origin is a document issued in accordance with the relevant rules of origin to prove that the export goods originated in the country or region. Because it can prove the economic nationality of the goods, it is called "economic passport". It is also one of the important documents for countries to determine the applicable tariff rate.
2.According to use,certificate of origin can be divided into four categories
(1). non-preferential certificate of origin
CO certificate for short. It is refers to the certificate of origin issued for China's export goods according to the regulations of the People's Republic of China on origin of imported and exported goods and the provisions on the substantive change standard of non-preferential rules of origin. Customs duties are generally levied at the most-favoured-nation (MFN) rate for goods carrying a general certificate of origin (co), and there are no other tariff concessions.
(2).GSP certificate of origin
FORM A certificate for short. GSP is a kind of universal, non-discriminatory and non-reciprocal tariff preferential treatment that developed countries give developing countries to export manufactured goods and semi-manufactured goods (including some primary products). Usually according to the GSP system of origin rules and related requirements for issuing, it is the official certificate of GSP tariff preferential treatment when the goods from the beneficiary country are exported to the beneficiary country. After the eu announced China's GSP graduation in 2015, Russia, belarus, Ukraine, kazakhstan and other countries have given China preferential treatment.
(3).Regional preferential certificate of origin
It refers to the certificate of preferential tariff reduction and exemption among member states that sign relevant regional preferential trade agreements (or arrangements). Customs clearance with the certificate of origin of regional preference can enjoy the preferential tax reduction promised by the country to the products in the free trade agreement. Some goods even have zero tariff, so they are called "securities" in international trade. Up to now, China has implemented 18 preferential trade agreements (or arrangements), including 15 free trade agreements and 3 preferential trade arrangements.
(4).Special certificate of origin
Certificates of origin issued according to specific rules of origin and requirements for specific products of a particular industry, such as certificate of authenticity of tobacco, kimberley process certificate, certificate of origin of handmade products and certificate of origin marking, etc.
3. Main USES of certificate of origin
(1) The main basis that decides treatment of duty rate, it is the important proof that the custom collects custom duty, card of preferential country of origin still can enjoy treatment of particular custom duty derate.
(2) An important basis for trade statistics.
(3) The basis for implementing import and export quantity control, anti-dumping, countervailing and other trade control measures.
(4) Control the import of goods from specific countries and determine the basis for granting access.
(5) The basis for the settlement of foreign exchange.