Q: When do I need a certificate of origin for zippers?
A certificate of origin is needed when the destination customs authority or the buyer requires proof of where the goods were made, usually to claim a preferential rate or to satisfy an import rule. Whether it applies depends on the trade agreement between the country of production and the country of import, and on the product's origin status. Ask the supplier where the zipper is actually produced, including the tape, the teeth and the assembly, because origin can depend on more than the final assembly point. Then confirm with your customs broker which form is accepted. The document must match the invoice and the shipment, including quantity, description and consignee. Keep a copy with the shipping file. Do not assume a certificate will be issued as a formality; the issuer may need supporting records. If the order is small, the cost and time of legalisation may outweigh the benefit, so compare the duty saving with the administrative cost.