ASEAN: Origin of Goods Self-Certification Scheme Officially Adopted

An ASEAN-wide Self-Certification (AWSC) scheme relating to the origin of goods is now in force. Initially agreed back in January 2019, this trade facilitation initiative between the bloc’s 10 member nations is intended to streamline customs procedures by allowing approved operators to self-certify the origin of their goods. Essentially, it functions as an amendment to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the treaty that currently regulates trade within the ASEAN bloc.

In essence, any ASEAN firm that is approved as a ‘certified exporter’ (CE) under the terms of the AWSC scheme will be allowed to self-certify the origin of their goods instead of having to secure a Certificate of Origin (CO) from their local customs office, a potentially expensive and time-consuming process. In effect, they will be entitled to prepare origin declarations for use on a wide range of commercial documents, including invoices, billing statements, delivery orders and packing lists. They will also benefit from the preferential tariffs offered by the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

An online brochure has been released by the ASEAN Secretariat outlining the required procedures for registering as a CE, as well as detailing the appropriate authorities with the required jurisdiction in each ASEAN member nation.