To remain efficient and relevant to modern business needs and requirements, chambers are very active in exploring and learning more about the electronic delivery of certificates of origin.

Many chambers have developed internet services to assist their trading community in access to this service. In a few countries, chambers are already operating within an electronic certificates of origin trading system.

To help chamber staff be up-to-date on chamber developments in this area, WCF is pleased to provide links and information to the following chamber and other initiatives.

i2i Ltd. and the British Chamber of Commerce

The process of applying for a Certificate of Origin, before the arrival of electronic certificates can take days to complete. With the new initiatives this process can be cut down to hours. In cooperation with i2i Ltd., The British Chamber of Commerce’s eCert initiative has been in operation since 2003. Exporters can submit their application for EU and Arab certificates online to the chamber and can later print the Certificate of Origin complete with stamps and signatures. The BCC continues to offer the standard service as well as the eCerts and will be ready to move towards paperless Certificates of Origin when legislation permits. ECerts continue to have a paper trail as required by EU regulations.

The use of GTA Online is a continued effort to increase efficiency in international trade. GTA Online receives the data file used as application for eCert and transfers it into data that can be transferred electronically. This data is not only useful as application for eCert but can also be passed on to Customs agents to obtain the proper security clearance. It simplifies the standard process of applying for Certificates of Origin and the other processes included in international trade.

If the export organization operates as a multi-site organization, GTA Net, a software program also offered by i2i Ltd., allows the data to be captured and transferred to the various parts of the organization involved in the export of goods. It will track the data and compile it as statistics on the physical trade in goods within the EC using Intrastat, which has been in operation since 1993.

All programs designed by i2i Ltd. work as time saving and essentially money saving solutions. It does require that all parties be internet accessible for the transfer of data.

Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Paris - WebCor

Operating since 1997, CCIP's « WebCor » service (Web Certificat of Origin) allows exporters to complete their data completion online, which is then transmitted to chamber via the website. After transmission, the CCIP checks the information, prints and stamps the certificate. The CCIP is also working on a single counter to allow exporters to stamp electronically their documents, not only certificates of origin, but also invoices, and other commercial documents.

Basel Chamber of Commerce ( Switzerland ) - E-Origin

Serving international as well as local SME's since the end of April 2005, Basel Chamber of Commerce's e-origin ™ application offers an XML interface for the import of all data needed for the requests for authentication as well as a graphical user interface to manually create the requests. The Certificates of Origin are electronically stamped and signed by the Chamber of Commerce and may then be downloaded and printed by the exporter.

CrimsonLogic

Crimsonlogic, Singapore is working alongside numerous Chambers of Commerce to develop a process where Certificates of Origin will be stamped online and delivered to exporters via the internet (ECO). The process is expected to not only reduce application and wait time, but also to reduce costs for all parties involved. The Crimsonlogic initiative is an end-to-end application and certification process that allows for easy retrieval of information used during the process.

The spinoff of the electronic Certificate of Origin process is not only ease of the CO application and certification process, but ease of other processes involved in exporting using ebXML infrastructure. ebXML allows the data used for application of an ECO to be transferred to other parties in a secure fashion . The reuse of information for import declaration and security checks will facilitate the process between the trading nations. It does require that all parties be internet accessible to be able to receive transferred data.

Maintaining security and the prevention of fraudulent documents are key in this initiative. Crimsonlogic has implemented security features (e.g. invisible watermarks and serial numbers) into the process to not only protect confidential information transferred via the web, but also as a preventative measure against fraudulent information that could disrupt the integrity of the process.

Tradelink System - Hong Kong

In January 1997, EDI service was first introduced for Restrained Textiles Export Licences (RTEL). The service is the first of the variety of electronic trade transactions services offered by Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink), the private enterprise and EDI service provider, with Government as its largest shareholder. Nowadays, the availability of EDI service has been extended to many other trade transactions including Certificate of Origin (CO) and Production Notification (PN).

EDICO service covers Certificate of Hong Kong Origin and Certificate of Origin-Processing submitted to Trade and Industry Department and the five issuing authorities (including chambers of commerce). The service covers fresh applications, amendment requests and cancellation requests.

UNeDocs

The United Nations extensions or aligned electronic trade documents (UNeDocs) a project to define an electronic equivalent for paper based trade documents based on existing EDI and trade standards. This will enable companies to exchange electronic trade documents on a common basis.
UNeDocs does not aim to suppress paper documents. Rather it aims to open an alternative path to encode, transmit and process the existing documentation.

UNeDocs is a project of the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In the past, the UNECE has developed several important international standards for trade, trade documentation and for electronic business, such as United Nations Layout Key and UN/EDIFACT. The project is supported by the International Trade Procedures Working Group (ITPWG) of the UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT). The UNECE will steer the project in cooperating with other international organization and industry associations that are working in the area of trade documentation and standardization. An important component is the integration and contribution of the private sector, especially in form of expertise.

eCertify

"Business SA endorses the new eCert software program provided by eCertify as being a big step in the evolution of document certification. The ability to preview, certify/reject or make comment on documents makes the process fast and easy to use.

"Our clients need their documents as soon as possible, and with eCert, that they can have their documents certified in minutes, rather than hours.  This has been a big help for them in the way they carry out their procedures when it comes to exports."
Amy Clark  Export Certification Officer International Business Unit – Business SA (South Australia)

Website: www.ecertify.com.au 
Contact: Gerard O'Connor, CEO eCertify Pty Ltd
Email: Click here to send an email