Trade Documentation

The Chamber provides members and non-members with trade documentation services. We issue the ATA and TDB/BOFT Carnets, Certificates of Origin and endorse other shipping documents to support the facilitation of international trade.

What is Certificate of Origin?

A certificate of origin (CO) is an important international trade document confirming that the goods in a particular shipment have been wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.

COs may be requested by importing countries’ Customs Departments, importers, freight forwarders or banks (for letter of credit clearance).

There are two major types of CO:

Preferential CO

Issued to cover eligible exports for preferential tariff exemption or reduction under Free Trade Agreements (FTA)

For more information on applying for Preferential COs, visit the Singapore Customs website.

Non-preferential CO

Issued for goods which do not enjoy preferential treatment.

The Singapore International Chamber of Commerce is authorised to issue the non-preferential CO (also known as Ordinary CO).

What is ATA and TDB/BOFT Carnet?

A Passport for Goods (a set of colour-coded forms)

Allows duty/tax-free admission of goods
Goods must be totally re-exported/re-imported within time limits stipulated by Customs authorities

ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted Customs document issued by an authorised Chamber of Commerce

Allows the temporary import and export of goods without the need for raising bonds, duty, tax and Customs formalities in one or a number of participating countries.

TDB/BOFT Carnet is a Customs document issued by an authorised organisation which allows Singapore and Taiwan to admit each other’s goods duty-free, without the need for raising bonds, duty and Customs formalities in one or a number of entry points.

In Singapore, ATA and TDB/BOFT Carnets are issued by the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce.