Certificate of Origin in Dubai, UAE: Required Documents and Application Process

A Certificate of Origin (CoO) is a trade document confirming the country where goods were produced or manufactured. Importing-country customs authorities, banks or trade arrangements may require it to determine the origin of goods, applicable customs treatment or eligibility under trade requirements.

For exporters applying for a Certificate of Origin in Dubai, Dubai Chamber of Commerce provides an electronic issuance service for eligible applicants. The application is based primarily on the commercial invoice, with additional documents required depending on whether the goods are shipped directly, produced in the UAE or being re-exported through Dubai.

This article focuses specifically on the current Dubai Chambers requirements, required documents, application process, fees, processing time and validity of the certificate.

Why is a Certificate of Origin Important?

A Certificate of Origin may be required for several commercial and customs purposes, including:

• Customs Clearance: Importing authorities may require proof of the country where the goods originated.
• Tariff Treatment: The origin of goods can affect the customs duty or preferential tariff treatment available under applicable trade arrangements.
• Import Compliance: Certain destinations or product categories require origin documentation as part of their import procedures.
• Banking and Trade Finance: A Certificate of Origin may form part of the documents requested under letters of credit or other international trade-finance arrangements.

A Certificate of Origin is not automatically required for every shipment. Whether one is needed depends on the importing country, customs requirements, contractual terms and any applicable trade arrangement.

Who Issues a Certificate of Origin in Dubai?

Dubai Chamber of Commerce issues Certificates of Origin under the requirements and procedures established by Dubai Chambers Board of Directors Resolution No. (7) of 2024.

For business applicants using the Dubai Chambers service, the exporter generally needs an active Dubai Chambers membership. The application is submitted through the Chambers’ electronic services system.

Dubai Chambers is not the only authority involved with Certificates of Origin across the UAE. The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism also operates separate Certificate of Origin services for national products, GCC trade and other applicable schemes. The correct issuing route therefore depends on the exporter, goods and intended trade arrangement.

Types of Certificates of Origin Issued by Dubai Chambers

Under Dubai Chambers Resolution No. (7) of 2024, Dubai Chambers issues two principal types of Certificates of Origin:

• Non-preferential Certificate of Origin for domestic commodities: Used for qualifying goods produced in the UAE and intended for export.
• Certificate of Origin for foreign commodities intended for re-export: Used for qualifying foreign-origin goods being re-exported through Dubai.

Exporters seeking a preferential Certificate of Origin under a specific trade agreement should confirm the correct issuing authority and scheme rather than assuming the standard Dubai Chambers certificate provides preferential tariff treatment.

Requirements for Issuing a Certificate of Origin in Dubai

For standard exporter applications, approval is subject to a number of requirements under the current Dubai Chambers framework.

• The exporter must have an active membership with Dubai Chambers.
• The application must clearly identify the consignor and consignee.
• The information entered in the Certificate of Origin application must match the commercial invoice.
• The invoice must state the exporter’s trade name.
• The invoice date must be on or before the date of the Certificate of Origin application.
• The invoice must identify the country of origin of the goods.
• The commodities listed on the invoice must fall within the economic activities the exporter is authorised to conduct.
• For a non-preferential Certificate of Origin covering domestic commodities, the goods must have been produced in the UAE by an appropriately licensed exporter.

There is an important exception to the standard membership conditions. Under Resolution No. (7) of 2024, the ordinary exporter requirements do not apply in the same way to a natural person applying for a Certificate of Origin for commodities intended for personal use.

Documents Required for a Certificate of Origin in Dubai

Dubai Chambers currently identifies the commercial invoice as the primary document for the Certificate of Origin service.

Additional documents depend on the type of shipment:

For Direct Shipments

• Commercial invoice
• Bill of Lading

For UAE-Origin Goods

• Commercial invoice
• Copy of the industrial licence
• Copy of the factory’s invoice

For Transshipment or Re-Export Goods

• Commercial invoice
• Copy of the transit document issued through Dubai Customs

Dubai Chambers may request further supporting records where necessary. These can include a packing list, bills from the exporting country or an invoice from the exporter’s country.

Applicants should therefore prepare the documents applicable to their transaction rather than relying on a single generic checklist for every shipment.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Origin Through Dubai Chambers

The current application procedure is electronic.

Step 1: Access the Dubai Chambers Services Portal

The applicant creates an account or signs in to the Dubai Chambers services portal and selects the Certificate of Origin service.

Step 2: Complete the Application

Enter the shipment, consignor, consignee and commodity information requested in the application. The details should correspond with the commercial invoice and supporting records.

Step 3: Upload the Required Documents

Upload the commercial invoice and the additional supporting documents applicable to the shipment.

Step 4: Dubai Chambers Reviews the Application

Dubai Chambers reviews the submission to confirm that the requirements are satisfied and may request additional documents where necessary.

The current Dubai Chambers Certificate of Origin service states that a compliant request is reviewed and approved within two hours of submission.

Step 5: Pay the Applicable Fee

Once the application is approved, the applicant is instructed to pay the prescribed service fee.

Step 6: Download the Certificate

After payment is completed, the issued Certificate of Origin can be downloaded through the service.

How Much Does a Certificate of Origin Cost in Dubai?

Dubai Chambers currently lists the fee for issuing a Certificate of Origin as AED 100.

Additional document-page charges may apply:

• AED 5 for each additional commercial invoice page after page five.
• AED 5 for each page of a packing list.

These are the current Dubai Chambers service charges and should not be assumed to apply to every other UAE Certificate of Origin scheme or issuing authority.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Certificate of Origin in Dubai?

Dubai Chambers currently states that an application that meets all service requirements will be reviewed and approved within two hours of submission.

This should not be treated as a guarantee that every application will be completed within two hours. Missing documents, inconsistent invoice details, requests for additional evidence or another compliance issue can delay approval.

How Long Is a Dubai Chambers Certificate of Origin Valid?

A Certificate of Origin issued by Dubai Chambers is valid for six months from its date of issue under Resolution No. (7) of 2024.

Businesses should also check whether the importing authority, bank or contractual counterparty imposes any separate document-freshness requirement for the particular shipment.

Common Reasons a Certificate of Origin Application May Be Delayed or Rejected

Dubai Chambers reviews the application and supporting records before issuing the certificate. Problems can arise where:

• the commercial invoice is missing;
• the information in the application does not match the invoice;
• the country of origin is not clearly stated;
• the invoice does not include the exporter’s trade name;
• the goods fall outside the exporter’s licensed business activities;
• the application lacks a required Bill of Lading, industrial licence, factory invoice or transit document;
• the exporter does not satisfy the applicable membership requirements; or
• Dubai Chambers requests additional supporting information that has not yet been provided.

Checking the invoice and shipment records before submission can reduce avoidable corrections.

Is Notarisation Required for a Certificate of Origin?

Notarisation is not listed by Dubai Chambers as a standard requirement for issuing a Certificate of Origin.

A Certificate of Origin is issued through the competent trade authority and should not be confused with notarisation of a private legal document.

In some international transactions, however, an importing authority, embassy, bank or counterparty may separately request authentication, attestation or legalisation of commercial documents. Those requirements depend on the destination and intended use rather than being an automatic part of every Dubai Chambers Certificate of Origin application.

Where separate authentication is required for supporting commercial documents, the relevant document attestation requirements can be considered independently from the Certificate of Origin application.

How Notary Public Dubai Can Assist

The Certificate of Origin itself is issued by Dubai Chambers or another competent authority, not by Notary Public Dubai.

Separate document support may be relevant where a business needs assistance with:

• reviewing commercial documents for consistency;
• preparing supporting legal documentation;
• notarisation where independently required for another document;
• attestation or legalisation for overseas use; or
• understanding the distinction between the Certificate of Origin process and separate document-authentication requirements.

For document-related support connected with international transactions, Notary Public Dubai can assist with the relevant UAE document procedures without acting as or representing Dubai Chambers or another government authority.

FAQs: Certificate of Origin in Dubai, UAE