Key points
- Two issuers in China: CCPIT (China Chamber of International Commerce) and China Customs (GACC).
- For GCC destinations only the non-preferential certificate applies; Form E, RCEP or Form A give no Gulf duty saving.
- The certificate must copy the final invoice: exporter, consignee, description, HS code, quantity, invoice number and date.
- UAE: the importer attests the certificate on MOFA eDAS 2.0 for AED 150; no UAE embassy step in China.
- Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia may still need chamber certification or legalisation; our team confirms per shipment.
What a certificate of origin proves
A certificate of origin (CO) states the country where the goods were produced. There are two families. A non-preferential CO simply proves origin: customs, banks and buyers use it for statistics, trade measures, L/C compliance and, in the UAE, attestation. A preferential CO is issued under a free trade agreement and lets the importer claim lower or zero duty, but only in a country that has such an agreement with China and only if the goods meet that agreement's rules of origin.
Who issues it in China: CCPIT or China Customs
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, also called the China Chamber of International Commerce, with local branches.
- Issues non-preferential COs and several preferential ones, including RCEP certificates since 1 January 2022.
- Can also certify commercial invoices, which some Gulf buyers and banks ask for.
- Issues through local customs, the China International Trade Single Window or the Internet plus Customs platform.
- Issues non-preferential and most preferential FTA certificates.
- Self-printing of approved certificates is available for many destinations.
Since 1 November 2023 exporters can apply online through the Single Window, Internet plus Customs or the CCPIT system, without a separate customs filing step. GACC Order No. 270, in force since 1 September 2024, sets the current rules: the issuing body reviews an application within 2 working days, a certificate is valid for one year from issue, a certificate can be applied for after shipment within one year with transport documents, and copies and application files are kept for 3 years.
Form types and where each one works
| Certificate | Used for | Relevant to the Gulf? |
|---|---|---|
| Non-preferential CO (general CO) | Any country; proves origin only | Yes: the standard certificate for the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq |
| Form E | China–ASEAN FTA | No |
| RCEP certificate | ASEAN, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand | No |
| APTA certificate | Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, including India | No; relevant to India shipments on listed lines |
| China–Pakistan, China–Georgia, China–Serbia, China–Switzerland FTA certificates | Those partner countries | No; Georgia and Serbia matter on Caucasus and Europe routes |
| Form A (GSP) | Former GSP schemes | No; China stopped issuing it for the EU, UK, Canada, Turkey and others from 1 December 2021 |
FTAs: where Chinese origin cuts duty and where it does not
China–GCC FTA talks have run for many years and were reported again in December 2025 and March 2026, but no agreement is in force as of November 2026. Goods of Chinese origin pay the GCC common tariff, usually 5% of CIF. The same applies to Iraq, Iran, Türkiye, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states. The China–EAEU agreement covering Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is non-preferential. China does have preferential agreements with Georgia (since 1 January 2018), Serbia (since 1 July 2024), Pakistan, Switzerland and Iceland, and India and China are both in APTA.
Will a preferential certificate cut duty here?
When Gulf customs needs it
| Country | CO needed? | Certification or legalisation (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | Usually required for commercial shipments | Importer attests on MOFA eDAS 2.0: AED 150 per CO, paid before the related invoice attestation; one CO attestation per declaration |
| Oman | Needed for commercial goods | Electronic documents accepted through approved channels; any legalisation confirmed by the broker |
| Saudi Arabia | Required for commercial imports | CCPIT certification is usual; consular legalisation not verified for 2026, our team confirms. Saudi Arabia is an Apostille party |
| Kuwait | Required, reported as original plus 2 copies | Reported: CCPIT, Kuwaiti embassy or consulate, then Kuwait MOFA; our team confirms |
| Iraq | Required | Traditionally legalised by the Iraqi embassy after chamber certification; confirmed per shipment |
How to apply, step by step
- Register onceThe exporter registers with CCPIT or China Customs online using its business licence and export record.
- Finalise the invoiceThe CO copies the invoice, so names, description, HS code, quantity, invoice number and date must be final.
- Apply onlineSubmit through the Single Window, Internet plus Customs or the CCPIT system, choosing the right certificate type.
- ReviewThe issuing body reviews within 2 working days and may ask for production or cost evidence.
- Print or collectPrint the approved certificate where self-printing is allowed, or collect the stamped original.
- Send with the documentsThe CO travels with the invoice, packing list and B/L; the UAE importer then attests it on eDAS 2.0.
Getting the details right
Before you submit the CO application
0/9Re-exports, GCC origin and the Apostille
- A UAE chamber CO for Chinese goods re-exported from Dubai certifies re-export, not UAE origin.
- Goods only stored, repacked or labelled in a GCC free zone stay Chinese origin.
- GCC origin needs real manufacture, commonly at least 40% GCC value added and a factory at least 51% GCC-owned, with a GCC CO.
- China joined the Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023. Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain are parties; the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq were not listed when we checked.
- Whether a CO counts as an apostille-eligible public document depends on how it was certified, so ask the issuing chamber.
Tap a card to flip it
Frequently asked questions
Who issues a certificate of origin in China?
CCPIT (the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) and China Customs (GACC). Exporters apply online through the Single Window, Internet plus Customs or the CCPIT system.
Does a Chinese certificate of origin reduce UAE customs duty?
No. There is no China–GCC free trade agreement in force as of November 2026, so the usual GCC duty, generally 5% of CIF, applies. The certificate is still needed for clearance and attestation.
Is a certificate of origin required for imports into Dubai?
It is usually required for commercial shipments, and for local-market invoices of AED 10,000 or more the importer attests it on MOFA eDAS 2.0 for AED 150.
What is Form E and can I use it for the Gulf?
Form E is the preferential certificate under the China–ASEAN FTA. It only works for ASEAN countries and gives no benefit in the UAE or other GCC states.
How long is a Chinese certificate of origin valid?
Under GACC Order No. 270, in force since 1 September 2024, a certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Can a certificate of origin be issued after the goods have shipped?
Yes, within one year of shipment with transport documents, but it carries a special marking and some buyers and banks do not accept it. Apply before shipment where possible.
Does the certificate need embassy legalisation for the Gulf?
Not for the UAE, where the importer attests online. Kuwait and Iraq have traditionally required chamber certification and embassy legalisation, and Saudi practice uses CCPIT certification. Our team confirms the current rule for each shipment.
Sources
- MOFCOM China FTA Network – China's Free Trade Agreements
- Hong Kong TID – China stops issuing GSP certificates of origin to certain countries (2021)
- China Services Info – Chinese customs simplify certificate of origin application (from 1 Nov 2023)
- Thomson Reuters – China: new procedures for managing certificates of origin (GACC Order No. 270)
- CCPIT Nanjing – CCPIT issues first RCEP certificates of origin
- UAE MOFA – Attestation via eDAS 2.0
- HCCH – Apostille Convention status table
- Muscat Daily – Oman, China discuss acceleration of GCC Free Trade Agreement (March 2026)
- Gov.cn – China-Serbia FTA takes effect on 1 July 2024
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.