Certificates of Origin
Canberra Business Chamber can help you with all of your international customs and export documentation needs. We are the only body in the ACT that is authorised by the Australian Government to issue Certificates of Origin for goods exported from Australia.
We can help you navigate the complexities of the Australian Free Trade Agreements when it comes to certification requirements.
Export Documentation FAQs
The right paperwork makes the export process run smoothly. We can advise you on which forms you’ll need, who can provide them and how to complete them.
Certificates of Origin
1. What is a Certificate of Origin?
Certificate of Australian Origin is documentary evidence that the goods are originating from Australia. Many customs measures relating to goods being imported into a country, in particular those relating to tariff and public health; depend for their administration on the origin of the goods.
2. Why do I need a Certificate of Australian Origin?
- To export certain goods from Australia
- For customs clearance at the port of destination
- As stipulated in the letter of credit (L/C)
- Evidence of the goods origin when negotiating sales contract
3. What is the validity of a Certificate of Origin?
Twelve months from the date of issue from the Chamber.
The applicable Certificate of Origin under Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA), is the only exception – where the validity is 24 months from the date of issue from the Chamber.
4. Can my freight forwarder organise a Certificate of Origin for me?
Yes, your freight company can apply for a Certificate of Origin for you. As long as the names and signatures of the authorised signatories are included in the Exporter Registration Form C04 as their authorised representatives, the freight company can sign Certificates of Origin on behalf of the exporter.
5. What is a Preferential Certificate of Origin?
The preferential Certificate of Origin (COO) is a documentation requirement of a number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Australia has in place with other countries.
It is evidence that the goods are originating from the territory of one or more parties of the particular FTA. For example: goods wholly obtained in Australia to be exported to Thailand – applicable scenario under TAFTA & AANZFTA as Thailand is part of both.
The preferential Certificate of Origin provides the overseas buyer with the strategic advantage of paying preferential duty rates. Translated into benefits for you as an exporter that means that if a company from overseas imports a product from Australia in terms of customs duties payable it will be cheaper than importing a similar product from another country not part of a free trade agreement, which is a great strategic advantage for exporters when negotiating export contracts.
6. How do I know what type of Certificate of Origin to use?
Your freight forwarder can check the general duties payable and the preferential duties payable for your product which is being exported to the country party of the relevant Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia. If the product is not covered by the FTA, you may consider applying for non-preferential Certificate of Origin.
For countries which are part of two Free Trade Agreements, it is advisable to check the duty rates under both. For example, Thailand is part of TAFTA & AANZFTA; Malaysia is part of MAFTA & AANZFTA.
For JAEPA, ChAFTA & KAFTA you may also find DFAT’s FTA portal useful.
7. What export documentation does the Chamber issue?
The Canberra Business Chamber International Trade team issues:
- Certificate of Australian Origin
- Certified Declaration of Origin
- Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin (TAFTA)
- ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin (AANZFTA)
- Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Certificate of Origin (A-CEPA)
- Australia-Korea Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin (KAFTA)
- Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement Certificate of Origin (JAEPA)
- China-Australia Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin (ChAFTA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- Certificate of Free Sale
- Visa Letter attestation for Saudi Arabia
8. How do I obtain a Certificate of Origin?
Step 1:
Complete the Exporter Information C04 Form to register your business with us. You have to complete the registration just once.
Step 2:
E-mail your completed C04 form to Canberra Business Chamber at trade@canberrabusiness.com.
Step 3:
Once the completed C04 form is received it will be processed the same day and you can start submitting your Certificates of Origin for processing. Download a Certificate of Origin.
Step 4:
Submit you Certificate of Australian Origin by email to trade@canberrabusiness.com or in person to Canberra Business Chamber at Level 9, 12 Moore St, Canberra ACT 2601.
Each submitted Certificate must be accompanied by a supporting document related to the goods in that shipment, e.g., copies of a commercial invoice, bill of lading, airway bill, letter of credit etc.
Step 5:
If you choose to email, forward the original printed in colour hard copy of the Certificate of Australian Origin to your importer.
The cost of a certificate is $35 for Chamber members and $55 for non-members.
Certificates emailed to us will be processed within 24 hours service from submission.
9. What supporting documentation is required, for the Chamber to issue my Certificate of Origin?
The most frequently requested supporting evidence from us is the Bill of Lading (if the cargo is shipped) or the Air Waybill (if the cargo is exported by air). Also, packing lists and commercial invoices can be considered as evidence. If the shipment is under a Letter of Credit (L/C), the Chamber can also request a copy of the L/C.
10. What is the procedure to follow if my Preferential Certificate of Origin is rejected at destination?
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
1. What is a FTA?
Free trade agreements (FTAs) are international treaties that reduce barriers to trade and investment. Australia’s FTAs – both with individual countries and groups of countries – provide:
- Better Australian access to important markets.
- An improved competitive position for Australian exports.
- More prospects for increased two-way investment.
- Reduced import costs for Australian businesses and consumers alike.
For further information, please refer here.
2. When do I need a Certified Declaration of Origin?
The Australian Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are:
- ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA
- Australia-Chile FTA
- Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations
- Australia-United States FTA
- Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement
- Korea-Australia FTA
- Malaysia-Australia FTA
- Singapore-Australia FTA
- Thailand-Australia FTA
- China-Australia FTA
3. What is the Chamber’s role in the Australian FTAs?
4. What is AANZFTA and do I need a Certificate of Origin for goods originating from Australia under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) & AANZFTA First Protocol?
- The Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA).
- AANZFTA countries signatories: Australia, New, Zealand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Certificates of Origin are required under AANZFTA. A special AANZFTA Certificate of Origin template is required to be completed and signed by the exporter to be processed by the Chamber.
For further information, please refer here.
5. What is TAFTA and do I need a Certificate of Origin for Thailand under this FTA (TAFTA)?
The Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) is one of two FTAs that Australian businesses can use to trade with Thailand. As a member of ASEAN, Thailand is also part of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
- TAFTA entered into force on 1 January 2005.
- Documentary evidence that the goods are originating in Australia, Thailand or combination of both is required in accordance with the provisions of TAFTA.
- A special TAFTA Certificate of Origin template is required to be completed and signed by the exporter to be processed by the Chamber – it can be completed and submitted by the freight company on the exporters behalf.
- A Deed of Declaration must be completed by the exporter to register for TAFTA with the Chamber prior to applying for TAFTA Certificate of Origin.
For further information, please refer here.
6. What is KAFTA and do I need a Certificate of Origin for goods originating from Australia under Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement?
- The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) is the Free Trade Agreement between Korea and Australia.
- KAFTA entered into force on 12 December 2014.
Documentary evidence that the goods are originating in Australia, Korea or the combination of both is required in accordance with the provisions of KAFTA.
Contact us for the template.
For further information, please refer here.
7. What is JAEPA and do I need a Certificate of Origin for goods originating from Australia under this Partnership Agreement?
- The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) is the Agreement between Japan and Australia.
- JAEPA entered into force on 15 January 2015.
Documentary evidence that the goods are originating in Australia, Japan or combination of both is required in accordance with the provisions of the JAEPA Refer to Chapter 3 – Rules of Origin.
A special ACCI JAEPA Certificate of Origin template is required to be completed and signed by the exporter/producer to be processed by the Chamber – it can be completed and submitted by the freight company on the exporters’ behalf.
Contact us for the template.
8. What is ChAFTA and Do I need a Certificate of Origin for goods originating from Australia under this FTA?
- The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) is the Free Trade Agreement between China and Australia.
- ChAFTA entered into force on 20 December 2015.
- Goods seeking preferential treatment under ChAFTA must be accompanied by the appropriate documentation – ChAFTA Certificate of Origin or Declaration of Origin (for goods covered by an advanced ruling on origin).
A special ACCI ChAFTA COO template is required to be completed & signed by the exporter to be processed by the Chamber – it can be completed & submitted by the freight company on the exporters’ behalf.
Contact us for the template.
For further information, please refer here.
Certified Declaration of Origin
1. What is a Certified Declaration of Origin?
A Certified Declaration of Origin is a document that verifies that the goods exported from Australia were manufactured outside of Australia, for example, machinery imported to Australia from USA and re-exported to New Zealand.
2. When do I need a Certified Declaration of Origin?
- Certified Declaration of Origin is applicable when the country of origin verification is requested by the destination country.
- If the goods originated in Australia, a Certificate of Origin will be correct document to use.
- For mixed origin shipments, all goods can be listed on the Certified Declaration of Origin.