Certificate of Origin Request Letter Template
A certificate of origin states where goods were made, and many buyers and customs authorities ask for one. This template drafts the request letter, or an internal origin declaration, so the chamber or your supplier has everything needed to issue the document.
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Certificate of Origin Request Letter Template
Certificate of Origin Request
Date: 2026-10-20 To: Houston Chamber of Commerce, Export Documents Desk From: Acme Precision Components Inc.
Request
We request 3 copies of a certificate of origin for the shipment below. The commercial invoice is attached and the goods are destined for Rhein Motoren GmbH, Germany.
Goods covered
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | INV-2026-10412 |
| Product | Machined aluminum housings, part PN-48213 |
| Tariff code | 8708.99 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Origin basis | Substantial transformation |
| Quantity | 1,200 pieces |
Declaration
We declare that the goods described above originate in United States based on the stated origin basis and that we hold supporting records, such as bills of materials and supplier declarations, which we will make available on request.
Contact
Dana Whitfield, +1 713 555 0142
Signatures
This is a starting point, not legal advice. Each chamber, free trade agreement and customs authority has its own form and rules. Use the official form where one is required and keep your origin records.
Origin data from your bill of materials
Optional: a short review of how origin and tariff data could be pulled from your ERP item and BOM tables.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use this template
Enter the invoice number, consignee, product description and tariff code, then choose the basis on which you say the goods qualify. Export to PDF and attach it with the commercial invoice when you apply for a non-preferential certificate through a chamber of commerce. You can also adapt it as a request to a supplier asking for their origin declaration. Keep the wording of the product description identical to the invoice so the chamber can match them.
Preferential and non-preferential origin
Non-preferential certificates simply state a country of origin, often requested by buyers, banks and letters of credit. Preferential origin goes further: it supports a reduced or zero duty claim under a free trade agreement such as USMCA, and the rules for qualifying are product specific. Those rules often use a tariff shift, a regional value content threshold or both. Do not assume that final assembly alone confers origin. Check the agreement's product-specific rules for your tariff line.
Records you need behind the letter
The letter is only as good as the evidence. Customs authorities can verify claims after the fact and may ask for supporting records.
- Bill of materials with the country of origin of each component
- Supplier origin declarations for purchased parts
- Cost breakdown if a value-content rule applies
- Production routing showing where transformation took place
- Retention for the period required by the destination and origin authorities
Common mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors.
- Confusing the country of shipment with the country of origin
- Citing an origin criterion you cannot document
- Using a different product description than the invoice
- Ignoring that a buyer's letter of credit may specify exact certificate wording
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues a certificate of origin?
Non-preferential certificates are usually issued by a chamber of commerce or another authorized body. Preferential claims under a trade agreement often rely on a self-certified statement or an origin declaration by the exporter, depending on the agreement.
Is country of origin the same as country of export?
No. Origin is where the goods were wholly obtained or substantially transformed. The country of export is simply where they ship from. Goods can ship from one country but originate in another.
What should I put as the origin basis?
Pick the rule you can prove from your records, such as wholly obtained, a tariff shift or a value content test. If you are unsure, choose the advice option and ask the chamber or a customs broker before signing.
How long should I keep origin records?
Retention periods differ by country and agreement and are commonly several years. Check the rules of both the exporting and importing country and keep the bill of materials and supplier declarations for at least the longest period.
If origin data lives across bills of materials and supplier records in your ERP, we can help build a view that answers origin questions from live data.
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