A Certificate of Origin is an international trade export document used to verify the country of origin (place of growth, production or manufacture) of goods. If requested by the importer and/or importing customs authority, the Australian exporter will need to obtain and provide one for customs clearance and/or for trade requirements.

Certificates of Origin can be categorised as Preferential Certificates of Origin or Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin.

• Preferential Certificates of Origin – also known as FTA Certificates of Origin, they certify that the goods listed are eligible for reduced or eliminated tariffs under the terms of the relevant FTA
• Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin – also known as Normal Certificates of Origin, they certify that Australia either does not have a trade agreement in place with the importing country or that the exported goods are not eligible for preferential tariff treatment

Free Trade Agreements are treaties between two (bilateral) or more countries (multilateral) to facilitate trade between participating countries including allowing exporters to export eligible goods under reduced or eliminated tariffs. For Australia, this means strengthening Australia’s global competitive edge and opening and amplifying export potential in new and existing markets.

Free Trade Agreements in force

Free Trade Agreements not yet in force

Free Trade Agreements under negotiations

Australia is a party to numerous bilateral and multilateral FTAs where tariff benefits are granted on the provision of FTA Proof of Origin. Depending on the agreement, FTA Proof of Origin is accepted in the form of either a Preferential FTA Certificate of Origin issued by the Australian Industry Group or an independent Declaration of Origin completed by the exporter.

Our experienced International Trade and Export Documentation Team can help you understand which FTAs may apply and are best suited to your export shipment.

Exporters must be registered for export documentation services before they can apply for Certificates of Origin issued by Ai Group. This can be done by completing the Registration Form and returning it by email to trade.docs@aigroup.com.au for processing.

Download Ai Group Registration Form for Certificates of Origin

For best form functionality results, please use Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete the form.

If you are unsure of which registration type applies to your export shipment or would like more details on the exporter registration and certificate application process, please contact the International Trade and Export Documentation Team for advice. 

* Payments can be made via EFT, by credit card or cheque made payable to Ai Group.

For further Certificate of Origin and export advice, please contact our International Trade and Export Documentation Team by email: trade.docs@aigroup.com.au or phone 1300 776 063.

Digital Verification Platform (DVP) for Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) commencing 28 October 2024

The Australian Industry Group, as an authorised issuer of Certificates of Origin in Australia, is participating in the first trial of the Digital Verification Platform (DVP) initiative led by the Australian Border Force. The DVP aims to streamline the verification process of Certificates of Origin through a QR Code system, allowing overseas customs authorities to authenticate these documents efficiently at any time.   

The Digital Verification Platform (DVP) enables issuing authorities to transform trade documents into digitally verifiable documents, also known as Verifiable Credentials (VCs). This allows other entities in the trade system to trust that the trade document presented to them is valid, untampered, and signed by the authorised issuing body.   The Australian Border Force (ABF) is actively enhancing the DVP to assist with the transition to paperless trade, aligning with industry and international counterpart agency initiatives.  For more information about this initiative, please visit:  www.dvp.abf.gov.au/help-and-support

The first trial of the DVP will commence with Ai Group's issuance of the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA).   Please see the Privacy Notes relating to the DVP outlined below: 

a) The personal information provided by you in order to obtain a certificate from Ai Group  may be disclosed to the Australian Border Force (ABF) for the purpose of verifying the certificate.
(b) Presentation of the certificate to support export clearance will be subject to verification by the offshore importing country.
(c) Accordingly the ABF may disclose the personal information you provided to certificate verifiers located outside Australia.
(d) By applying for this certificate, you consent to the ABF disclosing your personal information outside Australia for this purpose.
(e) You acknowledge that if you consent to this disclosure, and the overseas recipient handles the personal information in breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, neither Ai Group nor the ABF will be accountable under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and you will not be able to seek redress under that Act.
(f) For more on how the ABF handles your personal information, see here Form 1442i.