Factory Registration and Certificate of Origin

The objective of the origin certification system in Hong Kong is to facilitate export of Hong Kong’s products to other markets. The system establishes the origin of Hong Kong exports in order to meet the requirements of importing authorities 1.

The Export (Certificates of Origin) Regulations of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) empower the Director-General of Trade and Industry to issue Certificates of Origin in accordance with the stipulated Rules of Origin for any items manufactured, processed or produced in Hong Kong and have been or are about to be exported from Hong Kong.

The Protection of Non-government Certificates of Origin Ordinance (Cap. 324) authorises certain Government Approved Certification Organizations (GACOs)2 to issue Certificates of Origin 3. These Certificates of Origin have the same legal status as those issued by the Trade and Industry Department.

Non-government approved organisations may issue their own certificates for trade facilitation purpose, but traders should be aware that these certificates do not carry any legal status recognised by the law of Hong Kong.

To apply for Certificates of Origin (CO) for their goods, traders must first ensure that the goods concerned fulfil the applicable origin rules. Exporters and manufacturers (and subcontractors) applying for CO must possess Business Registration. Manufacturers (and subcontractors) concerned must also obtain Factory Registration before they are eligible to apply for CO.

Manufacturers (and subcontractors) to register under Factory Registration with the Trade and Industry Department
Exporters and manufacturers (and subcontractors) to apply for Certificate of Origin
Preferential:
  1. Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - CEPA (CO(CEPA))
  2. Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - New Zealand (CO(NZ))
  3. Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - Georgia (CO(Georgia))
  4. Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - Form AHK (CO(Form AHK))
Non-preferential:
  1. Certificate of Hong Kong Origin (CHKO)
  2. Certificate of Origin - Processing (COP)
Diagram
1
The origin certification system establishes the origin of Hong Kong exports. Approval of a Certificate of Origin does not imply the manufacturer's compliance with other statutory requirements as well as regulatory requirements administered by other government departments in relation to the factory's operation and products. Manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure compliance with such requirements. Traders are also reminded to comply with the local regulatory requirements, as well as to find out from their overseas buyers and the government authorities at the importing ends any other specific requirements they need to observe before exportation of their goods from Hong Kong, including but not limited to origin classification and origin labelling requirements.
2
The five GACOs are Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; and the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.
3
Such certificates include Certificate of Hong Kong Origin, Certificate of Origin - Processing, Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - CEPA, Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - New Zealand, Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - Georgia, Certificate of Hong Kong Origin - Form AHK, Certificate of Origin - Re-export and Certificate of Origin - Re-export (Movement Confirmation).
2025-04-03
39093
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