Introduction/ General Information

The certification system in Hong Kong is administered to facilitate Hong Kong's export to foreign markets. The system establishes the origin of goods which Hong Kong exports to meet the requirements of overseas importing authorities.

Hong Kong's origin system is backed up by law. The Export (Certificates of Origin) Regulations of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) provides the Director-General of Trade and Industry with power to run the certification system. It also provides penalty for certification offences.

Certificates of Origin issued by the Government Approved Certification Organizations (GACOs) are governed by the Protection of Non-government Certificates of Origin Ordinance (Cap. 324 of the law of Hong Kong). These Certificates of Origin have the same legal status as those issued by the Trade and Industry Department.