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Applying for certificates of origin and IHK certificates for commercial documents

Service Description

In some countries, customs authorities, banks or companies in the importing country require the presentation of so-called certificates of origin when importing goods and, if necessary, the presentation of further trade documents certified by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. These depend on country-specific features and EC regulations. A certificate of origin provides information about the place of origin of a product.

As an exporter, you can apply for a certificate of origin from your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce. On request, this will issue certificates of origin, confirm commercial documents (e.g. commercial invoices) and issue other certificates for foreign trade. The IHK is also responsible for issuing the ATA carnet (customs passport booklet).

Process flow

To apply for a certificate of origin or a certificate for a commercial document, you can use an online procedure or a written procedure.

Online procedure:

  • Send an email to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you with a request to activate you for the online application.
  • Complete the application electronically and send it to the IHK using the online application.
  • The IHK will check that your details are complete and correct.
  • The IHK may request additional information and documents from you to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the application.
  • After checking the information, the IHK certifies the certificate of origin or the commercial document by means of an electronic signature.
  • The IHK will then make the certified document available to you in the online application.
  • You can print out the document if required.

Written procedure:

  • Complete the application and sign it
  • Submit the application either by post or on site at the ServiceCenter of your IHK.
  • The IHK will check that your information is complete and correct.
  • The IHK may request additional information and documents from you to prove the accuracy of the information contained in the application.
  • After checking the information, the IHK certifies the certificate of origin or the commercial document.

The certified document will then be returned to you by post.

Who should I contact?

Contact the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in whose district your company is located.

Requirements

The prerequisites for issuing a certificate are

  • The applicant's registered office or place of residence is located in the IHK district and the document is used for foreign trade (local and material responsibility).
  • The formal requirements are met (indication of the recipient, possibly mandatory form).
  • The intended use is recognizable or is made credible (in accordance with the import regulations of the country, requirement of the business partner).
  • The signatures of the company's authorized applicants are on file at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (signature list).
  • They can prove the origin of the goods.
  • An additional copy of the documents must be submitted for each certificate, which remains with the IHK.

Which documents are required?

The application can be made in person, by post or electronically. The following are required

  • the document to be certified,
  • Identity card or passport,
  • Extract from the commercial, cooperative or association register,
  • Extract from the central trade register,
  • possibly proof of public law status.

Proof of the origin of the goods. Proof of origin can be, for example

  • Self-declaration of production of the goods in your own company
  • Certificates of origin from another IHK
  • Form A certificates of origin (from developing countries)
  • Preferential movement certificates EUR
  • Preferential declarations of origin in accordance with format specifications from EU free trade agreements
  • Supplier declarations in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/2447

Please contact the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you to find out which documents are specifically required in your case.

What are the fees?

A fee is charged for the certification of foreign trade documents in accordance with the currently applicable fee schedule.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

There are no deadlines to be observed.

Processing duration

  • A few minutes in the online procedure.
  • Normally a few days for the written procedure.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Objection or administrative court action depending on state law

Appeal

  • Set of forms "Certificate of origin - Application for issue / original / copy" or online form
  • Online procedure possible: yes
  • Written form required: no
  • Personal appearance required: no

Applications/forms for export, import, customs, carnet, single administrative documents, European Community, specialist books/software, supplier's declaration, certificates of origin, movement certificates, export refunds, freight forwarding and other forms can be requested from the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce or can be downloaded from the relevant websites.

Author

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Science and Digital Society

Professionally released on

11.10.2021

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6Plus)

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