How to Complete an Arab C of O - Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UK

Instructions for Completing an Arab-British Certificate Of Origin

Section One

The forms (as supplied) consist of:

Certificate, which will be returned certified if the application is in order
Control copy printed in black on green paper, which will be returned uncertified for the exporter's records
Application on blue paper, which will be retained

If further certified copies are needed, forms printed in green on white may be purchased as required. The provision of such a copy is often obligatory when legalisation by an Embassy is needed.

The documents should be typed. Where carbon paper is used all copies must be clearly legible. The original Certificate has a green overprinted pattern.

The appropriate boxes on the Certificate should be completed as follows:-

Security Patterned Original and Green Copies.

Box 1 - Consignor

Insert here the name and address of the exporter (i.e. the firm who will invoice the goods overseas).

Box 2 - Consignee

Show the full name and full address of the overseas consignee. If any part of this information is not available the Chamber should be contacted in advance.

Box 3 - Method of Transport

For goods despatched by sea, show the name of ship or if this cannot be established write, “by sea or by ship”. For other means of transport, show the method, e.g. “parcel post, air, rail or road”. Where international transport involves more than one means of delivery, “mixed transport” may be shown. If the intended means of transport is not known, “earliest available transport” is acceptable.

Box 4 - Consignor’s Ref

This box is available for the exporter’s own reference number (optional).

Box 5 - Originated In

Country of Origin of the goods. The internationally accepted designation for British goods is “United Kingdom” and this term only must be used to describe such goods. If the goods are being re-exported the name of the country will be shown in the usual way, e.g. United States.

Any goods which are manufactured outside the United Kingdom are classed as foreign origin, and the customer must provide supporting evidence i.e. Certificate of Origin, invoice, delivery note etc. showing the manufacturing company/ies name(s) and address(es).

Box 6 - Marks and Numbers - Quantity and Kind of Packages - Description Of Goods - Weight (Gross And Net)

Insert shipping marks and numbers appearing on the goods, or in the case of parcel post, the name and address of the consignee.

Insert the number and type (e.g. parcels, crates, bales, containers, pallets etc.)

An adequate commercial description must be given for each item. Trade names or catalogue references are not sufficient, nor is a general description. The description must accord with that on the supporting invoice. Also in the description box, the manufacturer(s) must be identified by name, town and country - the full address is not needed. This applies even if the consignor is the manufacturer. Make sure that suppliers and distributors are not listed on the Certificate as manufacturers.

When there is not enough space on the form to describe the goods adequately, detailed invoices for the shipment must be attached. It is then permissible to give a general description followed by the words, “According to the attached invoice No. ............ dated .............". A copy of this invoice must be attached to the original and each copy of the Certificate and the application; the latter being retained.

Weights are to be stated in kilos (net and gross). Although it is strongly recommended that weights always be given, they may be omitted if a clear indication of volume or quantity, sufficient to enable the identification of the goods, is given.

Ruling Off

A horizontal line must be drawn immediately below the last entry.

Section 2

Place - Date and Issuing Authority

These spaces are not completed by the exporter. The exporter does not sign the original or the copies but only the application and control copy which is dealt with below.

Blue Application Form and Green Control Copy

The application can be partially prepared as a carbon copy of the details types on the original and other copies. The following information must be inserted:

Box 7 - Applicant’s Name and Address

Either leave this box blank if the application is to be signed by an official of the consigning company shown in Box 1, or if the application is made by someone else please insert their name and address and, if appropriate, “as agents for” followed by the name of the consignor.

Signature at the foot of the form

Insert the place and date of the signature and the hand-written signature of the applicant or a duly authorised signatory.

Reverse of the Application

Here, there is space for additional particulars. There is no normal need to insert anything in the “Additional Particulars” space. In the rare cases when some insertion is needed the exporter will be given specific instructions.

Attachments - behind the Application:

All applications must accompanied by a copy of the exporter’s invoice. There must be one original plus three copies all with original signatures.
All applications for re-exported goods must be accompanied by an invoice or Certificate of Origin issued in the country of origin of the goods. If this is not available and cannot reasonably by obtained, the Chamber should be contacted before the application is submitted.
All applications relating to goods not of the applicant’s own manufacture must be accompanied by a copy of the manufacturer’s invoice. However, arrangements regarding such evidence which have been agreed with exporters in the past to meet particular circumstances will continue for the time being.

Copies

Copies (green on white) are to be inserted between the Certificate and the blue application copy provided that the Certificate is submitted for certification only. When the legalisation service is requested, different rules may apply; please see below:

Legalisation Service

Exporters opting to use the Arab Chamber’s service for legalisation must apply to this Chamber for detailed instructions for each country.

Attachments - Behind the Original Certificate

Copies of the Certificate, supporting invoices or behind the letter of credit required by the Embassy for retention.
Copies required to be legalised by the Embassy.

Other Copies

If a certificate is to be legalised and copies are required to be certified but not legalised, these must be inserted behind the blue application and its attachments. The black and green control copy should always be last.

Alterations

Erases must not be made on the Certificate or the copies. Any alterations must be made by striking out the error and adding any correction necessary above or alongside. Such alterations must be initialled by the applicant. You must not correction fluid as this will invalidate your certificate.

Please read the instructions on the back of the blue copy. If you have any queries please contact Helen Tomkinson on 01522 523333 for assistance.