CO FAQs

What is a Certificate of Origin?

The Certificate of Origin verifies the country in which the goods were manufactured. The commodity being exported and its destination determine if the CO is required. Some nations restrict imports from certain countries.  Many countries limit the quantity of goods that are allowed to be imported, or give preference to goods manufactured in the U.S.  Your international shipping firm or custom broker can determine if your shipment will require a CO.

A Certificate of Origin requires the authorized signature of the Chamber of Commerce designated representative and the seal of that organization.  Countries require forms to be notarized as well.

Why is an electronic Certificate of Origin better for my business?

Mailing or sending a courier to process and get your Certificates of Origin stamped is both expensive and less efficient and time-consuming. An electronic Certificate of Origin is a more streamlined and easier solution for exporters and freight forwarders providing real value in cost savings and efficiency gains. Electronic Certificates of Origin:

• Same or next day processing to lessen turnaround deadlines.
• Curtail errors to reduce the chance of a delay in customs
• No more courier costs and reduced wait time for delivery
• Lessen administration costs
• Find up-to-the-minute information on the status of your submission
• Customers are able to verify their own certificate at www.certificates.iccwbo.org

What's my first step to get started?

Register for a free account here and have your documents stamped the same day

What is the turnaround time?

Our average turnaround time is one day.  During normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 9-4p.m. EST) we can have it back to you same day.  On weekends and holidays, we can rush your documents for an additional fee.

What is the cost?

The standard fee is $30 per document for Illinois Chamber members, $60 for non-members.

Average turnaround time is around an hour, with a guaranteed 24-hour turnaround time when submitted during business hours.

Eliminate your paper-based processing of Certificates and start saving time and money today!

An additional shipping/handling charge for domestic FedEx delivery of USD 30.00 applies if you would like the Chamber to print and manually sign/stamp your certificate. Payment is by credit card.

What is the Refund Policy for Changes to Approved Documents?

Our goal is to satisfy our customers by exchange or refund, as outlined in this policy. AWTCC reserves the right to limit or decline returns or exchanges regardless of whether you have a receipt. In the event an error is made by AWTCC, the customer has the option to choose a refund or exchange for the specific document. Request for refund or exchange must be made within 3 business days of document approval. In the event of customer error, there are no refunds. Fees for legalization services and shipping are non-refundable.

What is the Replacement Document Policy?

Unfortunately, per ICC Guidelines*, AWTCC is unable to make changes to approved documents. You will need to request a new document. The easiest way is to find the document already issued in your ARCHIVES within eCO-Online, click on VIEW and then click COPY. This will create a new application and you can make the necessary changes.
If your new document is requested within the same month as the previous document, we will be happy to reduce the fee to a $10.00 per document reissue fee. In the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS box you must put “Replacement for AW-20-xxxxx” (X = previous document number). If the request is in a different month, we are unable to reduce the price, however, we still need to know that it is a replacement so that we can void the original document according to ICC Guidelines.
For future use, please be aware that you can create a draft of the document for your client prior to approval by the chamber. Once your document has been created just SAVE the application and click on the gray CLIENT COPY box at the top of the page. Once you have the needed approval, simply login, EDIT your document and SUBMIT for chamber approval.
For additional information contact support@awtcc.org.

For more information on this process, please contact Laurie Silvey at (217) 991-8598 or lsilvey@ilchamber.org