Certificate of Origin for Shipping LCL Sea Freight from the USA

Understanding destination country requirements is essential when shipping goods internationally from the United States abroad, particularly via Less-than-Container-Load. In some countries, the Certificate of Origin is a key document for export compliance. Whether you’re working with a global shipping company or shipping household goods with an international moving company, understanding this document facilitates a smooth process for your shipment.

What Is a Certificate of Origin?

The document verifies the country where the goods have been manufactured. Although this document is not always mandatory when shipping freight overseas, certain countries require it during customs clearance.

Some nations restrict imports based on origin, while others apply preferential duties under trade agreements. Determining import eligibility is essential in these cases.

What does a Certificate of Origin verify?

In the context of conveyances from the USA, the document typically confirms:

The country where the products were manufactured.
A mode of cargo transportation.
The final destination of the cargo

If you ship overseas commercial or personal goods on pallets or crates utilizing Less-than-Container-Load services, confirming the Certificate of Origin requirements helps avoid customs delays. At AMID Logistics, a U.S. freight forwarder specializing in LCL sea freight exports, we recommend that customers verify whether this document is mandatory based on their destination and type of goods.

Who Is Responsible for the Certificate?

Obtaining and providing a Certificate of Origin is the shipper’s responsibility. U.S. freight forwarders and sea carriers do not handle this documentation. Shippers should request the certificate from the manufacturer or the seller/exporter.

Ensure that the description and quantity of goods listed in the paperwork match those on the Commercial Invoice. Discrepancies can lead to clearance delays or fines.

Knowing the document requirements helps avoid customs delays and reduces unexpected international shipping costs.

Chamber of Commerce Certification May Be Required

Sometimes, the Certificate of Origin must be certified by a Chamber of Commerce or legalized by the destination country's consulate. This is common for shipments to Africa and the Middle East, or under trade agreements such as USMCA.

This step is often overlooked, where consolidated cargo may require proof of certified origin. It applies to all shipments, whether you are involved in U.S. e-commerce, shipping internationally commercial cargo, or moving household goods from the U.S. overseas.

Failure to obtain a certified Certificate of Origin can result in customs holds, penalties, or cargo refusal at the port of entry.

Final Tips for Compliance

Regulations regarding Certificates of Origin may change frequently. If you ship goods internationally, verify the latest document requirements with the consulate of the destination country or a licensed customs broker.

Including this step in your documentation checklist helps ensure a smooth experience and avoids costly shipment delays.

FAQ – Certificate of Origin in Less-than-Container-Load

Q1: Is a Certificate of Origin always needed when shipping goods from the USA?

Not always, but in some cases, yes, trade certification is required in export paperwork. Some countries require it for customs clearance or to qualify for lower duties under trade agreements. It's best to check with the destination country before you ship.

Q2: Where do I get the document?

Usually, it comes from the manufacturer or the seller of the goods. If you’re the shipper, it’s your job to obtain it. For specific overseas destinations, you’ll also need to get it certified by a Chamber of Commerce.

Q3: Do LCL shipments require certified Certificates of Origin?

Sometimes you'll need it. Even though you ship less than a full container (LCL), countries like those in Africa or the Middle East may still ask for a certified or legalized document. This happens when our customers ship commercial goods or personal effects from the United States overseas.

Q4: Can this document affect shipping costs?

Yes — if the Certificate of Origin isn’t prepared correctly, it could delay customs clearance or lead to penalties. That can increase your total international shipping cost. It’s one of those small things that can have a big impact.

Q5: Can a freight forwarder help with the Certificate of Origin?

Freight forwarders and other international shipping companies do not issue Certificates of Origin. At AMID Logistics, we always recommend checking whether the document is necessary before transporting cargo from the USA.

Here are some examples where you will need a Certificate of Origin for cargo shipping from the USA

ALBANIA: No commercial food, drugs, medicine, or medical equipment. This includes all commercial food, medication, and medicine samples.
ARGENTINA: No textile, regardless of value (unusable textile samples do not require the document).
AUSTRIA: All commercial textile shipments require a certification. Importing textile samples of "no commercial value" under 256.00 EUR/$235.00 USD does NOT require the document. It is also NOT required for purchases of limited quantities of textiles for personal use, less than 820.00 EUR/$760.00 USD (they must not be in bulk quantities).
BELGIUM: All imports containing textile products from non-EU countries are exempt. Textile sample shipments of no commercial or customs value and purchases under 250.00 EUR/$230.00 USD per commodity are also exempt.
BOLIVIA: Imports of non-document valued at over USD 3,000.
CANARY ISLANDS: No non-documented commodity.
DENMARK: Textile valued over 1000.00 DKR/$110.00 USD and from a non-EU origin (the paperwork is not needed for textile SAMPLES - if "samples" appears on the invoice).
FINLAND: And non-EU countries: All industrial textiles and textile samples over 45.00 EUR/$54.00 USD. For European non-EU countries: Not required if proof of origin can be determined from the EUR1 document or declaration on the invoice. Note: The document is NOT required to purchase limited quantities of textiles for personal use (must not be in bulk or wholesale quantities).
FRANCE: Textiles and clothing manufactured in non-EU countries if the CIF value of the shipment is greater than 1,000.00 EUR/$980.00 USD. Photocopied or imaged certificates will NOT be accepted.
GERMANY: All commercial shipments of textiles. Textile samples with no retail value and a customs value exceeding 250.00 EUR/$230.00 USD. Textile shipments to private individuals for personal use if the value exceeds 1,000.00 EUR/$980.00 USD.
GREECE: Textile shipments from non-EU countries and commercial shoe shipments from non-EU countries. Samples (up to three shoe/textile items or less than seven sq. meters of the textile sample) do NOT require this document.
IRELAND: Textile shipments exceeding 254.00 EUR/$234.00 USD require a certification. The exception is textile shipments for personal use, and customs limits the quantities.
ISRAEL: Trading relations between the U.S. and Israel allow reduced or canceled duties for goods made in the USA that are shipped with a green Certificate of Origin for trade with Israel. The shipper is responsible for the document. This must be filled out in capital letters and in English only.
ITALY: Customs requires such a document for all textile shipments and all online purchases of any value from private individuals. Customs exempts low-value shipments of samples with a value of 45.00 EUR/$25.00 USD or less.
JAPAN: Silk items over 300 square meters require, but silk items below 300 square meters can be noted on the commercial invoice.
KUWAIT: The document must accompany all non-document shipments over USD 1500.00 with a stamped ("legalized") seal from the origin country's Chamber of Commerce. Note: All goods destined for U.S. Air Force installations are exempt from this requirement and will not need the document.
NETHERLANDS: All textile shipments are valued at over 345.00 EUR/$319.00 USD.
SPAIN: The document is needed for all shipments eligible for duty-free treatment due to existing trade agreements, such as EFTA, SPG (System of Generalized Preferences), and LOMA. All textile shipments (including personal) must have such a document. Textiles may also require an import permit.
THE UNITED KINGDOM: Textile shipments over 18.00 GBP (26.60 EUR/$25.00 USD). Exempt are purchases of limited amounts of textile goods for personal use only (must not be in bulk or wholesale quantities). Also free are commercial samples of negligible value.

This link may provide helpful information about U.S. Customs and U.S. Customs Broker for those who are importing goods into the USA.