Certificate of Origin

Published by:

Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK

2 min read

A Certificate of Origin (Certificaat van Oorsprong, or CVO in Dutch) is a document certifying the origin of a product. A CVO is proof that a product was made in a particular country. The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK issues these certificates of origin.

Why do I need a Certificate of Origin?

Some non-EU countries require CVOs because of boycotts, import restrictions, and import quotas. However, some goods with a CVO may also be fully or partially exempted from import duties. Instead, the ‘most favoured nation rate’ (MFN rate) will apply. Without a CVO, you may run into difficulties if you want to import products into a particular country. You usually do not need a CVO for import within the EU.

Advantage of a Certificate of Origin

Countries use CVOs to decide whether or not you are allowed to import a product. On top of that, products with a CVO may qualify for the MFN import duty rate, which is usually lower than the general rate.

How do I request a Certificate of Origin?

You have to request a digital CVO from KVK for each export shipment. Simply complete and submit the request form yourself. KVK will then verify and determine the origin of the goods based on the evidence you provide:

If you are the producer, you have to submit a written account of the production process, which will be used to determine the origin of the goods.
Traders or forwarding agents (not the producer) who purchased goods from an EU supplier can use the Supplier's Declaration for goods of non-preferential origin as proof of origin.
Traders or forwarding agents who purchased goods from a non-EU supplier can use a CVO as proof of origin.

In all of the above situations, KVK may request additional documents, such as purchase invoices, sales invoices, authorisations, and shipping orders.

Request your Certificate of Origin from KVK

Determining the origin of a product

The origin of a product is determined through standards of origin contained in European and national legislation. For products that are produced entirely in one country, such as agricultural products, this is quite straightforward. For products consisting of raw materials or components sourced from several different countries, however, determining the origin is more complicated. Finished products that can be considered an entirely new product after processing are deemed to originate from the country in which they were processed. Example: if you make outdoor tables from imported Indonesian hardwood in your factory in the Netherlands, the finished product is of Dutch origin. To find out more about how to determine origin, contact KVK.