Indonesia's goods origin certification mechanism under RCEP
The RCEP Agreement provides for three origin certification mechanisms, corresponding to three forms of proof of origin, which apply generally to goods claiming RCEP preferences, regardless of the export market within the RCEP region. Specifically, these are as follows:
- Issuance of a Certificate of Origin (C/O): A C/O is issued by the competent authority or issuing body of the exporting member state, also referred to as the traditional C/O issuance mechanism.
- Self-certification of origin by an approved exporter: Only an approved exporter may self-certify the origin of goods on its own commercial documents. Each RCEP member is allowed to determine the conditions that exporters must meet in order to qualify for self-certification.
- Self-certification of origin by any exporter or producer: This mechanism allows any exporter or producer to self-certify the origin of goods on commercial documents.
This is the form of origin certification toward which new-generation FTAs generally aim. However, all RCEP member countries have entered reservations regarding the implementation schedule for this self-certification mechanism. In this respect, Vietnam and Indonesia have made similar reservations, under which they will only begin implementing this mechanism within 10 years from the date RCEP enters into force, with the possibility of extending this period for an additional term of up to 10 years.
Source: Center for WTO and International Trade - VCCI
