COO Reminder: The Applicant Must Be the Signatory

When applying for a UK Certificate of Origin, it is important to ensure that the person submitting the application is the same individual whose signature appears in Box 8 of the Certificate of Origin. 

This requirement is in place to maintain the integrity of the document and to ensure that the declaration made on the certificate is completed by an authorised signatory of the exporting company. 

Why Does This Matter? 

Box 8 of the Certificate of Origin contains the exporter’s declaration confirming that the information provided on the document is true and accurate. Because this declaration carries legal responsibility, the Chamber must be able to verify that the person signing the document is the same individual submitting the application through the system. 

If the name of the applicant does not match the signatory shown in Box 8, the application may be rejected for correction. This can cause unnecessary delays, particularly when documents are required urgently for shipment. 

How to Avoid Delays 

Before submitting your application, please ensure that: 

• The applicant name on the eCert system matches the person signing Box 8 on the Certificate of Origin. 

• The signatory is an authorised person listed under your company’s Formal Undertaking. 

• The signature used is consistent with the specimen signature held on file. 

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Taking a moment to check these details before submission can help ensure your documents are processed smoothly and without delay. 

If you are unsure who should sign your Certificate of Origin or need to update authorised please contact our Export Documentation Team for assistance; exportdocs@gmchamber.co.uk

Tel: 0161 3934314. 

Interested in learning more about export documentation requirements? Our International Trade training sessions cover key documents including the UK Certificate of Origin, preferential origin documents and common compliance mistakes that can delay shipments. 

Visit our website to view upcoming training courses and register for a session.