Certificate Of Origin

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Certificate Of Origin Policy

Any and all Certificates of Origin and additional papers submitted to the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce are to be filled out truthfully and the products named on the Certificate of Origin are manufactured in the United States of America and are of United States of America origin.

  • The Certificate of Origin must be filled out completely before being presented to the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce.

  • An Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification Agreement must be signed by a company officer and presented to the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. For those businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce, this document can be signed yearly and will be kept on file with the membership investment records. For a non-member business, an Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification agreement must accompany each Certificate of Origin. This document must be provided to the Chamber before a Certific2ate of Origin will be issued.

  • An Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification Agreement must be signed by a company officer and presented to the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. For those businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce, this document can be signed yearly and will be kept on file with the membership investment records. For a non-member business, an Affidavit of Origin and Indemnification agreement must accompany each Certificate of Origin. This document must be provided to the Chamber before a Certific2ate of Origin will be issued.

  • The Chamber should ascertain from the manufacturer’s invoice and/or shipper’s affidavit that the products described in the Certificate of Origin are all composed of at least 51% parts manufactured in the U.S.A. Upon making the determination from the documentation that the goods are composed of at least 51% parts manufactured in the U.S.A., and only after, the Chamber will sign and seal the lower portion of the Certificate of Origin.

Please adhere to the following steps to ensure timely processing of your Certificates of Origin:

  • Be sure you are filling out the proper Certificates of Origin for the country to which you are exporting.

  • Be sure you fill out the Certificate completely and accurately.

  • Be sure that the product information listed is verbatim to what is on the invoice. Do not leave off product numbers, quantities, or descriptions.

  • Do not alter the Certificate in any way.

  • You are responsible for understanding the specific documentation requirements for the destination country of your shipment.

  • We do not recommend waiting until the day of your shipment to bring in your certificate. Chamber staff does need time to verify all information is correct.

The Chamber staff member has the right of refusal for any document that they feel does not meet the Plymouth Area Chamber’s guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

 There are a number of reasons why governments require a Certificate of Origin. The United States has numerous trade agreements with many foreign countries, and under the terms of many of these agreements, American products receive lower tariff rates. The foreign customs office verifies product qualifications for these preferential duty rates by accompanying Certificates of Origin. Also, some countries have banned certain products from countries that have been caught dumping. The Certificate of Origin helps prove that the product is allowed into that particular country.

Through world trade agreements on an international level, it has been determined and agreed upon by all countries that local Chambers of Commerce are reputable, and are in the best position to know the local companies and their product lines. In several other countries, Chamber of Commerce membership is a requirement of doing business, and is not voluntary.

Only the principals or their duly authorized signatories or agent. Principals include in the case of a sole trader, by the proprietor himself; in the case of a partnership, by a partner of the firm; in the case of a corporate body, by a director or the Secretary. Alternatively, declarations may be signed by an authorized agent of the principal.

Answers from the International Certificate of Origin Guidelines published by the World Chambers Federation and the International Chamber of Commerce. “International Certificate of Origin Guidelines” booklet available at http://store.iccbooksusa.net/iccebooks.aspx

The responsibility to comply with the requirements of the importing company rests with the Exporter – not the Chamber. It is also the exporter’s responsibility to obtain the Certificate of Origin, in accordance with the buyer’s or country of import requirement.

Chamber Members – $10 per stamp, $300 bulk rate

Non-Members – $50 per stamp, $800 bulk rate

If you need a Certificate of Origin issued by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, please:

  • Complete, sign and have the appropriate Certificate of Origin

  • Attach all original shipment invoices for all items referenced on the certificate

  • All requests and documents must be made in person at the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 134 Court Street Plymouth, MA during the hours M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.