Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center
Apply for certificates of origin and IHK certificates for commercial documents

The Chambers of Industry and Commerce issue certificates of origin and other trade certificates for the export economy.

Detailed description

In some countries, customs authorities, banks or companies in the importing country require the submission of so-called certificates of origin and, if necessary, the submission of other commercial documents certified by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. A certificate of origin provides information about the place of origin of a product.

As an exporter, you can apply for such a certificate of origin or the certification of a commercial document, such as a commercial invoice, from your local chamber of commerce.

You can submit applications in person, by post or electronically to the service center of your chamber of commerce. The registration for the electronic procedure at the responsible Chamber of Industry and Commerce takes place through your e-mail request and transmission of a registration code.

The IHK checks the correctness of the information and then issues the document promptly. A fee is charged for the issuance or certificate. This depends on the catalog of fees of the respective IHK.

Information

Important notes

Prerequisites

You can prove the origin of the goods.

Documents required

Evidence of the origin of the goods. Proof of origin can be, for example:

Self-declaration on the manufacture of the goods in your own company
Certificates of origin from another IHK
Certificates of origin Form A (from developing countries)
Preferential movement certificates EUR
Preferential declarations of origin according to format specifications from EU free trade agreements
Supplier declarations according to VO (EU) 2015/2447

Please ask the IHK responsible for you which documents are specifically required in your case.

Please note

Deadlines

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

You can use an online procedure or a written procedure to apply for a certificate of origin or a certificate for a commercial document.

Online procedure:

Send an e-mail to the chamber of commerce responsible for you with the request to activate the online application.
Complete the application electronically and send it to the IHK using the online application.
The IHK checks the completeness and correctness of your information.
The IHK may request additional information and documents from you to prove the correctness of the information contained in the application.
After checking the information, the IHK certifies the certificate of origin or the commercial document by means of an electronic signature.
The IHK then provides you with the certified document in the online application.
You can print out the document if required.

Written procedure:

Fill out the application and sign it
Submit the application either by post or on site at the ServiceCenter of your IHK.
The IHK checks the completeness and correctness of your information.
The IHK may request additional information and documents from you to prove the correctness of the information contained in the application.
After checking the information, the IHK certifies the certificate of origin or the commercial document.

The certified document will then be returned to you by post.

Processing time

A few minutes online.

Normally a few days in the written procedure.

Fees

Fee: 5 – 25 EUR

Legal notes

Legal remedies

Objection or administrative court action depending on national law

Legal basis

§ 1 paragraph 3 Chambers of Industry and Commerce Act (IHKG)

Articles 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 9, 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (UCC) and its implementing regulations

Downloads & Links

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information