AsemconnectVietnam - Electronic C/O aims towards a digitized export environment; however, some specific C/O forms still require the output product to be in paper form.

Electronic C/O, towards a digitized export environment
The implementation of electronic Certificates of Origin (C/O) instead of the traditional paper method, along with the mechanism of self-certification of origin by traders, is becoming a focus in administrative procedure reform in the export sector in Vietnam. The coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, local Departments of Industry and Trade, and the business community contributes to optimizing processes, ensuring compliance with international commitments, and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the global market.
However, the application of electronic C/O still depends on the approval of the customs authorities of the importing country, because the certificate of origin is the basis for determining whether goods are eligible for preferential tariffs under free trade agreements.
Currently, most C/Os issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other competent authorities are processed electronically. Nevertheless, some C/O forms, as stipulated by agreements and arrangements with partners, still require a paper copy of the output product.
According to the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Vietnam has fully implemented electronic C/Os in three frameworks: ASEAN – 10 member countries; ASEAN – Korea (AK); and Vietnam – Korea (VK). Within these frameworks, Certificate of Origin (C/O) data is transmitted directly through the National Single Window to Vietnamese customs and the customs of the importing country, creating a completely digitized processing environment and eliminating the need for paper C/Os.
Conversely, with C/O forms such as EUR.1 (EVFTA), EUR.1 UK/HUKA (UKVFTA), and EAV (Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union - EAEU), although the issuance process is electronic, the original must still be printed and sent to the importer for customs clearance. The transition to a fully electronic C/O is only implemented when the importing country officially approves it.
This reality shows that, while Vietnam is gradually moving towards a completely electronic C/O environment, businesses still need to strictly comply with the requirements of each export market, especially for agreements that still maintain paper C/Os.
For electronic Certificates of Origin (C/O), businesses and regulatory agencies can look up and verify information through the integrated QR code. Scanning the QR code allows full access to C/O data, contributing to increased transparency, reliability, and convenience in the customs clearance process.
CK
Source: VITIC/congthuong.vn