DTI simplifies for exporters procedures on Certificates of Origin

The Department of Trade and Industry has introduced a scheme which would simplify for exporters the need for a Certificate of Origin, the agency said in a statement Monday. In the scheme, exporters who have already been certified by the government as a trader may be able to declare the origins of a shipment without having to apply for a new Certificate of Origin. The streamlined procedure is part of a pilot test for the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) self-certification system and will eliminate the need for repeated applications for Certificates of Origin. “The new scheme will simplify procedures for exporters who are seeking preferential tariff treatment for their exports to other ASEAN member states by eliminating the need to apply for certificate of origin,” said the Trade Department’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Direction Senen M. Perlada in the statement. He added “the scheme is also expected to address implementation gaps such as delays in the release of shipments due to queries on minor data and technical errors.” A certificate of origin is a document used in international trade that is completed by exporters and certified by authorities, in Philippine's case the Customs Bureau, to attest that shipped goods were produced, manufactured or processed in the country. “This project is a ground breaking endeavor that will greatly impact trade facilitation and grow Philippine exports,” said Perlada. This is the second pilot project for the ASEAN self-certification scheme. Participants in the project includes the Philippines, Indonesia and Laos. All three countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the scheme in August of last year. Once the procedures are approved by all three countries, the scheme can be carried out within the month. The first pilot project was launched in 2010 with Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. Thailand joined the scheme in 2011. Perlada said the self-certification scheme targets exporters already competent in using certificates of origin. Those who may use the ASEAN scheme “must be a legitimate manufacturer or producer that have been transacting with the Customs Bureau for at least three years and has been exporting products within the ASEAN.” — DVM, GMA News