Arab-British Certificate of Origin
An Arab Certificate of Origin is issued for goods that are being sold and permanently exported to Arab League countries.
In addition to these certificates, LCCI can process any other commercial document required for international trade, either alongside the Certificate of Origin or as a separate document.
Documents LCCI Process and the Requirements
Document Type
- Arab Certificates of Origin
- Invoices and Packing Lists
- Hajj and Umrah documents (certification only)
- Any other commercial or legal documents required for international trade. Please note that any such documents will only be certified or legalized if they show country of destination, either within the body of the text or handwritten on the reverse of the document “for use in <insert country of destination>” (in pen).
Arab Certificate of Origin Requirements
- LCCI can only certify or legalize original documents
- Certain embassies may have specific requirements for certain documents. Please refer to Embassy Matrix for further information
- Any documents produced in a language other than English will need to be accompanied by a translation.
What countries can an Arab Certificate of Origin be issued for?
See which countries need an Arab Certificate of Origin and what are their processing options.
How to apply for Arab-British Certificate of Origin
How to apply online for new customers
We have three offices in London where you can get your documents processed. Please download and complete the formal undertaking for the office you would like to use:
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City of London- Formal Undertaking
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Hounslow - Formal Undertaking
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Barking - Formal Undertaking
Please email the completed formal undertaking to formalundertaking@londonchamber.co.uk and register@esscert.com. LCCI will use this information to set up your online account.
Set up
LCCI will set up your account on esscert.com. This a third-party site which is provided and managed by LCCI. You will receive an email from LCCI with your account details and further information to start submitting your online applications.
Login
Login to your account and submit your applications. All applications are reviewed and certificated by LCCI Trade Documents Officers.
How to Apply Online for Existing Customers
Login
Login to your account and submit your applications. All applications are reviewed and certificated by LCCI Trade Documents Officers.
Formal Undertaking
The Formal Undertaking needs to be renewed every year. If your Formal Undertaking has expired, you can still submit online applications but they will only be processed once your Formal Undertaking has been renewed. You can check the status and renew your Formal Undertaking on your online account.
Considerations
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The online application option is available to Certificates of Origin and Invoices (any other documents must be processed manually)
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Electronic processing is not available for: Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Qatar, UAE.
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Arab online certification/legalisation services will require upfront payments.
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For DIY applications, you will need to purchase beforehand your blank official Certificates of Origin, you can do this by emailing edocuments@londonchamber.co.uk
How to apply in person, by courier or post
Any commercial or legal documents must be submitted manually as original documents are required.
- Purchase a blank Arab Certificate of Origin by emailing edocuments@londonchamber.co.uk
- Read our guidance on how to complete the Certificate of Origin application
- Complete the Certificate using the Arab Certificate Template
- Post completed documents, payment (company cheque made payable to LCCI or bacs) and processing instructions to our issuing offices or apply over the counter
- Handwritten documents are not allowed.
Supporting documents for Arab Certificate of Origin
Documents required as backup for Certificate of Origin applications
- Commercial Invoice and packing list
- If the goods are of foreign origin, we will also require commercial documentary proof such as a copy of the Certificate of Origin provided by the manufacturer, a Manufacturer’s Commercial Invoice or a Supplier's Origin Declaration.
If applying manually (counter or post), we will require a cover letter specifying what needs to be done, payment (if applicable) and contact details in case of a query.
Photocopies required for each document type:
Certification (London Chamber and Arab Chamber stamping)
- Invoice – 2 copies
- Any other documents – 2 copies
Legalisation (London Chamber, Arab Chamber and Arab League Embassy)
- Invoice – 4 copies
- Any other documents – 4 copies
Please note, we are unable to make any photocopies for the customers.
Cost of Arab British Certificate of Origin
Fees vary according to the service required and country involved. You can get an idea of the applicable costs using the Embassy Charges Matrix. For an exact cost of processing your documents, please contact the Trade Documents team who will confirm. Currently we can only accept cheque or bacs payments against Arab documents.
