What is a Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is a document required by certain foreign governments certifying that goods in an international shipment originate from a specified country. Although many commercial invoices include a statement of origin, some countries require a separate Certificate of Origin that must be completed and certified by a chamber of commerce. Certificates of Origin are used by customs authorities to determine applicable duties and, in some cases, whether goods may legally be imported into the destination country.
Getting a Certificate of Origin Signed and Stamped
Allow as much lead time as possible between getting your COO signed/stamped and the date your order will be exported. Call 952-445-1660 to verify office hours and staff availability before bringing your COO to the Chamber.
No Certificate of Origin will be signed and stamped unless the Chamber President has previously completed a site visit at the business presenting the COO. Contact the Chamber office to schedule a site visit.
Fees:
- Shakopee Chamber Members = No charge
- Non-Chamber Members = $500 per certificate
Requirements for Certification
The following requirements must be satisfied before the Chamber will sign and stamp a Certificate of Origin:
- Site Visit: No Certificate of Origin will be signed or stamped unless the Chamber President has previously conducted a site visit at the business location of the company requesting certification.
- Fees: No fee will be charged to companies that are current members in good standing of the Chamber. Non-member companies will be charged a fee of $500 per Certificate of Origin submitted for certification.
- Supporting Documentation: The requesting company must provide the following documentation, which the Chamber will retain for a minimum period of five (5) years:
- A completed Certificate of Origin;
- A copy of the manufacturer’s invoice covering the goods identified in the Certificate of Origin; and
- Any additional documentation reasonably requested by the Chamber to verify the origin of the goods.
- Affidavit: The requesting company must provide a signed affidavit certifying that the goods identified in the Certificate of Origin were manufactured in the United States in compliance with applicable origin requirements and regulations. The affidavit must be signed and submitted prior to the Chamber affixing its stamp or certification.
Special Language Regarding Export Prices
Occasionally, a Certificate of Origin may contain language stating that the prices listed are current export prices. Such language should be avoided unless specifically required by the destination country or applicable transaction requirements. If such language is required, the Certificate of Origin or accompanying documentation must also include language stating that the Chamber relies solely upon information provided by the exporter and does not independntly verify pricing or valuation information.
The Chamber’s Role, Discretion, and Limitation of Responsibility
The Shakopee Area Chamber of Commerce provides Certificate of Origin certification as a voluntary trade facilitation service. The Chamber is not a governmental agency and is not legally obligated to certify or sign a Certificate of Origin solely because an exporter requests certification. Certification services are provided at the discretion of the Chamber and subject to this policy and any related procedures established by the Chamber.
The Chamber reserves the right to refuse certification of any Certificate of Origin request if:
- Required documentation is incomplete or insufficient;
- The requesting company fails to meet the requirements of this policy;
- The Chamber cannot reasonably verify the origin of the goods; or
- The Chamber determines, in its sole discretion, that certification is inappropriate or cannot be completed.
The Chamber’s certification of a Certificate of Origin is based solely upon the documents and representations provided by the requesting company. The Chamber does not independently verify the accuracy, legality, pricing, or authenticity of the underlying transaction, shipment, or origin claims.