Certificate of Origin in shipping goods form the USA

Certificate of Origin

In respect of shipping goods from the U.S. overseas, a Certificate of Origin is a document that verifies the country where goods have been manufactured. Most of the time, a certificate of origin is not a mandatory document in sipping from the USA. However, certain countries around the world require providing certificates of origin at the time of Customs clearance.

Some countries restrict imports from certain countries. Other countries limit the number of goods that are allowed to be imported. Some countries prefer international shipping of goods manufactured in certain countries. A certificate of origin may be required in international shipping from the U.S. because of established Treaty arrangements, varying duty rates, and preferential duty treatment. A certification of origin in international transportation of goods from the USA verifies the following:

The country in which the intentionally shipping products were manufactured
The commodity shipping from or via the USA
The final destination

Before shipping cargo from the USA, shippers should find out if a certificate of origin is required in their international shipping.

Obtaining and providing certificates of origin is a shipper's responsibility. Neither a U.S. freight forwarder nor an ocean freight carrier will assist shippers with the document. If a certificate of origin is required, please contact and obtain the certificate from the shipping merchandise manufacturer. Otherwise, ask your seller in the country where you are purchasing the goods.

Please note that the descriptions and quantity of shipping from the U.S. goods in a certificate of origin must correspond with those entered in the Commercial Invoice. Please remember that regulations on when certificates of origin are needed change often. If you transport goods from the USA overseas, verify the current criteria required in the destination country. Contact your destination country consulate in the United States or ask a customs broker licensed in the country.

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

Shipping from the USA to ALBANIA: International shipping of commercial food, drugs, medicine, or medical equipment. This includes all commercial food, medication, or medicine samples.
Shipping from the USA to ARGENTINA: International shipping of any textile, regardless of value (unusable textile samples do not require a Certificate of Origin).
Shipping from the USA to AUSTRIA: A certificate of Origin is required for all international commercial shipments containing textiles. Internationally shipping textile samples of "no commercial value" under 256.00 EUR/$235.00 USD does NOT require a Certificate of Origin. A Certificate of Origin is also NOT required for purchases of limited quantities of textiles for personal use only, less than 820.00 EUR/$760.00 USD (Must not be in bulk quantities).
Shipping from the USA to BELGIUM: All international shipments containing textile products originating from non-EU countries. Exempt are textile sample shipments of no commercial or customs value and purchases under 250.00 EUR/$230.00 USD per commodity.
Shipping from the USA to BOLIVIA: All international shipments are non-documents valued at over USD 3,000.
Shipping from the USA to CANADA: See the NAFTA Certificate of Origin for international shipping.
Shipping from the USA to CANARY ISLANDS: The international shipping good of any non-document.
Shipping from the USA to DENMARK: Textile international shipments valued over 1000.00 DKR/$110.00 USD and from a non-EU origin (A Certificate of Origin not needed for textile SAMPLES -- if "samples" appears on the invoice).
Shipping from the USA to FINLAND: All non-EU countries: All internationally shipping 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: A Certificate of Origin is NOT required for purchases of limited quantities of internationally shipping textiles for personal use (must not be in bulk or wholesale quantities).
Shipping from the USA to FRANCE: All international shipments of 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.
Shipping from the USA to GERMANY: All commercial shipments of textiles. Textile samples with no retail value and a customs value exceeding 250.00 EUR/$230.00 USD. International textile shipments to private individuals for personal use if the value exceeds 1,000.00 EUR/$980.00 USD.
Shipping from the USA to GREECE: All international textile shipments from non-EU countries; All international commercial shoe shipments from non-EU countries.; Samples (ONLY up to three shoe/textile items or less than seven sq. meters of the textile sample) do NOT require a Certificate of Origin.
Shipping from the USA to IRELAND: All international textile shipments with a value exceeding 254.00 EUR/$234.00 USD require a Certificate of Origin. The exception is international textile shipments for personal use. Customs limit the quantities.
Shipping from the USA to ISRAEL: Trading relations between the U.S. and Israel allow reduced or canceled duties for goods made in the USA that are internationally shipped with a green Certificate of Origin for trade with Israel (Certificate of Origin). The international shipper is responsible for the Certificate of Origin. This must be filled out in capital letters and in English only.
Shipping from the USA to ITALY: Customs requires a Certificate of Origin for all international textile shipments and all online purchases of any value from private individuals. Customs exempt low-value shipments of samples with a value of 45.00 EUR/$25.00 USD or less.
Shipping from the USA to JAPAN: Internationally, shipping silk items over 300 square meters requires a Certificate of Origin. Silk items below 300 square meters can be noted on the commercial invoice.
Shipping from the USA to KUWAIT: A Certificate of Origin must accompany all non-document international shipments over USD 1500.00 with a stamped ("legalized") seal from the origin country Chamber of Commerce. Note: All international shipping goods destined for US Air Force installations are exempt from this requirement and will not need a Certificate of Origin.
Shipping from the USA to MEXICO: See the NAFTA Certificate of Origin.
Shipping from the USA to NETHERLANDS: All international textile shipments are valued at over 345.00 EUR/$319.00 USD.
Shipping from the USA to SPAIN: A Certificate of Origin is needed for all international shipments eligible for duty-free treatment due to existing trade agreements, such as EFTA, SPG (System of Generalized Preferences), and LOMA. All international textile shipments (including personal) must have a Certificate of Origin. Textiles may also require an import permit.
Shipping from the USA to the UNITED KINGDOM: International 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.

International shippers importing goods into the USA may find helpful information about U.S. Customs and U.S. Customs Broker published in this link.