A certificate of origin is an official document confirming the country where goods were produced or substantially transformed, determining eligibility for preferential duty rates and meeting customs authority requirements in the importing country.
In trade practice
For Ukrainian exports to the EU, origin is typically evidenced by an EUR.1 movement certificate issued by Ukrainian customs under the Association Agreement and DCFTA. Buyers should check that the certificate number is cross-referenced on the commercial invoice and packing list. A common mistake is submitting a generic non-preferential certificate of origin when a EUR.1 is needed to claim reduced duties. Discrepancies between the certificate and the goods description on other documents frequently cause clearance delays.
In a specification
Purchase contracts should specify which form of origin document is required, naming the applicable trade agreement, and state that the document must be presented as an original at the port of entry.