Page 43 - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

6. Each Party shall provide that a Proof of Origin remains valid for 6. Each Party shall provide the names, addresses, specimen
one year from the date on which it is issued or completed. signatures, and impressions of official seals of its issuing body to
the other Parties. Such information shall be submitted
electronically through the RCEP Secretariat established pursuant
Article 3.17: Certificate of Origin to subparagraph 1(i) of Article 18.3 (Functions of the RCEP Joint
Committee) (hereinafter referred to as “RCEP Secretariat” in this
1. A Certificate of Origin shall be issued by the issuing body of an Chapter), for dissemination to the other Parties. Any subsequent
exporting Party upon an application by an exporter, a producer, changes shall be promptly submitted to the RCEP Secretariat in
or their authorised representative. the same manner for dissemination to the other Parties. The
Parties shall endeavour to establish a secured website to display
2. The exporter, producer, or their authorised representative shall such information from the last three years, and such website shall
apply in writing or by electronic means for a Certificate of Origin, be accessible to the Parties.
to the issuing body of the exporting Party in accordance with the
exporting Party’s laws, regulations, and procedures. 7. Notwithstanding paragraph 6, a Party shall not be required to
provide the specimen signatures of its issuing body to the RCEP
3. A Certificate of Origin shall: Secretariat for dissemination to the other Parties if it has
established its own secured website, containing relevant
(a) be in a format to be determined by the Parties; information of the Certificates of Origin it issues, including their
Certificate of Origin numbers, HS Codes, descriptions of goods,
(b) bear a unique Certificate of Origin number; quantities, dates of issuance, and names of the exporters, that is
accessible to the Parties. The Parties shall review the
(c) be in the English language; and requirement to provide specimen signatures of the issuing bodies
three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement for
(d) bear an authorised signature and official seal of the issuing all signatory States.
body of the exporting Party. The signature and seal shall
be applied manually or electronically. 8. Where a Certificate of Origin has not been issued at the time of
shipment due to involuntary errors, omissions, or other valid
4. A Certificate of Origin may: causes, or in the circumstances referred to in subparagraph 5(a),
a Certificate of Origin may be issued retrospectively but no later
(a) indicate two or more invoices issued for single shipment; than one year after the date of shipment. In that case, the
or Certificate of Origin shall bear the words “ISSUED
RETROACTIVELY”.
(b) contain multiple goods, provided that each good qualifies
as an originating good separately in its own right. 9. In the event of theft, loss, or destruction of an original Certificate
of Origin, the exporter, producer, or their authorised
5. In circumstances where a Certificate of Origin contains incorrect representative may apply in writing to the issuing body of the
information, the issuing body of the exporting Party may: exporting Party for a certified true copy of the original Certificate
of Origin. The copy shall:
(a) issue a new Certificate of Origin and invalidate the original
Certificate of Origin; or (a) be issued no later than one year after the date of issuance
of the original Certificate of Origin;
(b) make modifications to the original Certificate of Origin by
striking out errors and making any additions or corrections. (b) be based on the application for the original Certificate of
Any changes shall be certified by the authorised signature Origin;
and official seal of the issuing body of the exporting Party.

3-14 3-15