A Certificate of Origin (COO) is a trade document that states the country where goods were made. The exporter usually prepares it, and a chamber of commerce or another authorized body often certifies it. Customs at destination uses it to apply the correct duty rate and any trade agreement benefits.
How a Certificate of Origin Works
The exporter fills in the COO form and supports it with the commercial invoice or a manufacturer’s statement. A chamber of commerce then reviews and stamps it, often through an electronic system that returns a signed PDF. For example, a crawler crane made in the United States and shipped from Charleston to Jebel Ali usually travels with a certified COO.
A non-preferential COO only states where the goods were made. A preferential COO is tied to a specific trade agreement and can lower or remove import duties when the goods meet its origin rules. The two forms are not interchangeable, so the agreement decides which one is needed.
Why a Certificate of Origin Matters for Heavy Equipment Shipping
Requirements differ by destination: some countries accept an exporter statement, while others want a legalized certificate. A missing or inconsistent COO can delay clearance of a machine or cost the buyer a duty reduction. Atlantic Project Cargo’s customs brokerage team confirms the required form with the destination broker before shipping.
Disassembled machines need extra care. When a crane ships as several units, the descriptions on the COO should match the Bill of Lading and the packing list.
FAQ
Not sure which Certificate of Origin your destination requires? Get a shipping quote and our team will check the document requirements for your equipment.
