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

A Certificate of Origin (CoO) is one of the important documents in businesses dealing in international trade. It certifies that goods were manufactured or produced for export from Dubai, UAE. This document has mostly been insisted on by countries requiring the need to establish the tariff rates, customs duty, and various other trade agreements.

Being an exporter in Dubai, one needs to know how to get a Certificate of Origin and what it requires. In Dubai, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce facilitates the issuance of CoOs, streamlining the process for exporters. The article will provide an overview in general of the required documents, steps of application, and how Notary Public Dubai can help in the efficient completion of the process.

Why is a Certificate of Origin Important?

Certification of Origin is used in the following ways:   

• Customs Clearance: This document is used to release consignments in many countries.  
• Tariff Benefits: There are some trade agreements that provide lower tariffs on certain products.    
• Regulatory Compliance: In some cases, goods need to be certified as to their origin to comply with international standards.    
• Banking Requirements: It is sometimes necessary for a CoO to clear a payment in an international trade transaction in order for the financial institutions to effect the payment.

Types of Certificates of Origin

There are two types of Certificates of Origin. These include:

• Non-preferential Certificates of Origin – Issued for domestic commodities intended for export.
• Certificates of Origin for Foreign Commodities – Issued for foreign commodities intended for re-export.

Requirements for Issuing a Certificate of Origin

Approval for a Certificate of Origin is subject to the following conditions:

• The exporter must have an active membership with Dubai Chambers.
• The application must clearly state the name of the consignor and consignee.
• The details in the application must match the invoice.
• The invoice must include the exporter’s trade name and date of issue (which must precede or coincide with the application date).
• The invoice must state the country of origin. References to economic communities or regions are not acceptable.
• The goods listed on the invoice must align with the exporter’s licensed economic activities.
• For non-preferential Certificates of Origin, the commodities must be produced in the UAE by an exporter licensed by a competent entity.

Additionally, a Certificate of Origin will not be issued for:

• Commodities associated with a religion, race, or discriminatory practices.
• Applications containing incomplete or mismatched information.

Required Documents for a Certificate of Origin in Dubai

The required documents depend on whether you are a producer or a commercial exporter. Below is a list of the documents needed for both categories: 

The documents needed are:  

For Producer:   

1. Industrial License – Confirms that your company is registered as a manufacturer in Dubai.  
2. Product Qualification Certificate – Issued by the UAE Ministry of Economy, confirming your products meet local regulations. 
3. Export Invoice – This is the list of the exported goods, quantity, value and destination. 
4. Packing List – This is the list of items in each container and their respective weights.  

For Commercial Exporters: 

1. Trade License – Confirms that your company is registered as an exporter in Dubai. 
2. Export Invoice– This is a detailed invoice of the exported goods.
3. Purchase Invoice from Manufacturer – This is the proof that the goods were bought from a UAE based qualified factory.
4. Packing List – A document specifying shipment details.

Here are the document requirements to apply for this service: Primary document:

Service Fees for a Certificate of Origin in Dubai

Issuing a Certificate of Origin: AED 100

Note: A fee of AED 5 will be charged for each additional page after page 5 of the Commercial Invoice. Additionally, a fee of AED 5 will be applied for each page of the Packing List.

Procedure for Obtaining a Certificate of Origin

For obtaining a certificate of Origin in Dubai, the following steps apply:

Step 1: Submit the Application

• Exporters or their authorized representatives must submit the CoO application through the Dubai Chambers’ electronic system.
• Attach the required documents (Invoice, Trade License, Emirates ID, or Passport, as applicable).

Step 2: Application Review

• The Competent Department reviews the application and verifies compliance with requirements.
• Additional documents may be requested if necessary.
• If rejected, the applicant will receive a notification stating the reason.

Step 3: Payment of Fees

• Upon approval, applicants must pay the required fees.

Step 4: Certificate Issuance

• Once payment is made, the Certificate of Origin is issued electronically.

Processing Time for a Certificate of Origin

The Dubai chambers will review the request for the certificate of origin and approve the same within two hours of submission if all the requirements are met.

Certificate of Origin Validity

A Certificate of Origin is valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying

1. Incomplete Documents: Provide all the necessary documents to prevent rejection.
2. Incorrect Information: Double check details like the invoice value and product descriptions to avoid errors.
3. Unregistered Products: It is crucial for manufacturers to make sure their products are registered before they apply.
4. Expired Trade License: Verify that your company license is valid and not expired.̆

How Notary Public Dubai Can Assist You

All the documents to be used in the export process must be properly documented and must meet the legal requirements set by the UAE trade regulations. Here are the ways in which Notary Public Dubai can help you: 

• Verifying Documents: We check your trade license, invoices, and permits to make sure they are in order.
• Application Support: This is to ensure that you understand the process of applying for the online application to avoid any delays.
• Notarization of Documents: We also offer notarization of business documents.
• Expert Consultation: We also offer our services to explain the laws and regulations and the compliance needs. 

It is, therefore, advisable to seek the services of Notary Public Dubai to make the application process as smooth as possible when obtaining the Certificate of Origin.

If you require professional assistance with document preparation for business and trade regulations, please contact Notary Public Dubai today.