Your Ultimate Guide to the China-Serbia FTA Certificate of Origin: A Step-by-Step Form Filling Tutorial
Nov 19, 2025
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The China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a powerful tool for businesses, offering preferential tariff rates and boosting trade competitiveness. The key to unlocking these benefits is the Certificate of Origin (Form C/O), a document that serves as the "passport" for your goods, proving they originate from China or Serbia.
Filling out this form correctly is crucial. Any errors can lead to customs delays, denial of preferential treatment, and financial losses. This guide will walk you through each field of the form with clear explanations and a sample image for reference.
Understanding the Certificate of Origin Form
The form is a standardized document with specific fields that must be completed accurately. Below is a simulated sample image of what a completed form looks like, followed by a detailed breakdown of each box.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out Each Box
Box 1: Goods consigned from (Exporter's name, address)
What to write: The legal name and full address (including country) of the exporter registered under the FTA. This must match the details on the commercial invoice.
Key point: Ensure the exporter is the entity located in the territory of the party (China or Serbia).
Box 2: Goods consigned to (Consignee's name, address)
What to write: The legal name and full address of the final consignee (the buyer) in the destination country.
Key point: If the goods are shipped to an intermediary in a non-party country, special rules may apply. Typically, this box should list the Serbian importer for goods from China.
Box 3: Means of transport and route (as far as known)
What to write: Clearly state the departure and arrival points, and the mode(s) of transport (e.g., by sea, by air). Include the vessel name or flight number if known.
Example: "Shipment from Shanghai Port, China to Rijeka Port, Croatia by sea, then by truck to Belgrade, Serbia. Vessel: EVER FORTUNE V.123E."
Box 4: For Official Use Only
What to write: Leave this box completely blank. It is reserved for the use by the certifying authority (e.g., CCPIT in China, or the designated Serbian Chamber of Commerce).
Box 5, 6, 7: Item number, Marks and numbers, Number & type of packages, description of goods & HS code
Box 5 (Item number): Use sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...) for each different item in the shipment.
Box 6 (Marks and numbers): List the shipping marks on the packages. If there are no marks, state "N/M" (No Marks) or "AS PER INVOICE."
Box 7 (Description of goods): Provide a clear and concise description that matches the commercial invoice. It is highly recommended to include the 6-digit HS Code (Harmonized System Code) of the product.
Key point: The description must be detailed enough for customs officials to easily identify the goods.
Box 8: Origin criterion
What to write: This is the most critical box. You must indicate the origin criterion under which the product qualifies. The main criteria are:
"WO": Wholly Obtained. For goods entirely produced in one country.
"PE": Produced Exclusively from originating materials.
"PSR": The product-specific rule of origin has been met (e.g., a change in tariff classification or regional value content). You would write the specific rule, like "CTH" (Change in Tariff Heading) or "RVC 40%" (Regional Value Content of at least 40%).
Key point: You must carefully check the Product Specific Rules (PSR) in the Agreement's annexes to determine the correct criterion for your product.
Box 9: Gross weight or other quantity
What to write: The quantity of the goods, usually the gross weight in kilograms. It can also be other units like volume, number of items, etc., as they appear on the invoice.
Example: "5000 KG" or "1000 UNITS."
Box 10: Number and date of invoices
What to write: The commercial invoice number and its issuance date. This creates a direct link between the certificate and the commercial documents.
Key point: The date on the Certificate of Origin must be on or after the invoice date.
Box 11: Certification
What to write: Leave this box blank for the certifying authority to complete. This is where the authorized body (e.g., CCPIT in China) stamps, signs, and dates the certificate, officially validating it.
Key point: The exporter must first complete Box 12 (the declaration) before submitting the form for Box 11 certification.
Box 12: Declaration by the exporter
What to write: The exporter or their authorized representative must sign, date, and state the place of declaration here. This is a legal declaration that all information provided is true and accurate.
Key point: The date in Box 12 must be earlier than or the same as the date of certification in Box 11.
Final Checklist Before Submission
All information is consistent with the commercial invoice and packing list.
The origin criterion (Box 8) is correctly stated based on the FTA rules.
Box 12 (Exporter's Declaration) is signed and dated.
Box 4 and Box 11 are left blank for the certifying authority.
The form is free of typos and smudges.
By following this guide, you can confidently prepare your Certificate of Origin and ensure your goods smoothly receive the tariff benefits under the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement. Always consult with your freight forwarder or the relevant certifying authority for the most up-to-date procedures.