A Certificate of Origin is a document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country (country of origin). Virtually every country in the world considers the origin of imported goods when determining the appropriate duties and tariffs, quota requirements, or rights of market access (whether the goods may be legally imported at all).

Certificates of Origin are intended to solely prove the origin of goods in order to satisfy customs or trade requirements. Certificates of Origin should only be issued when they are actually needed. For example, in the following circumstances:

• To meet customs requirements in the importing state
• The customer / buyer / importer (consignee) requires it
• To meet ‘quota’ or statistical requirements imposed by the importing country
• To comply with the banking or trade finance requirements / letters of credit

The main forms of Certificates of Origin are:

• EU Certificate of Origin
• Arab-Irish Certificate of Origin