Logistics Terms
What Is a Certificate of Origin?
4 min read
A Certificate of Origin (CoO) is a document that certifies the country in which goods were manufactured or produced. It is used by customs and buyers to apply the correct duties and trade rules.
Preferential vs non-preferential
- Preferential CoO: lets goods qualify for reduced or zero duty under a trade agreement between countries.
- Non-preferential CoO: simply states the country of origin without conferring a duty preference.
When you need one
A CoO is needed when a trade agreement offers preferential duty, when the destination country requires it, or when the buyer asks for it. In India, certificates are typically issued through authorised agencies and increasingly via electronic platforms.