As previously communicated in March 2023 and again in August 2023, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be transitioning to Plain Paper Printing starting from 12 September 2023.

Starting on 12 September, all applications for Certificates of Origin must be submitted through our online platform, Ess Cert, as previously advised. This streamlined process eliminates the need for a Blank Certificate of Origin, allowing you to print directly onto plain paper. If you haven't already registered for London's Ess Cert, you can complete your registration by following this link. Please ensure your registration is completed by 11 September to facilitate the processing of applications for 12 September. If you have already registered and need to access the platform again, you can retrieve your password by following this link.

From 12 September onwards, pre-printed UK COO blank Certificates will no longer be required. If you have any unused blank forms, you can return them to us for credit towards future applications. To facilitate this process, please ensure that the unused certificates are returned to us by no later than 13 October. When returning unused Blank Certificates of Origin, kindly use the link provided below. It is important that all unused Blank Certificates of Origin are sent back via Recorded/Special Delivery or by courier, addressed to Edward Jones. A tracking number must be provided on the form below before dispatching them to the London Chamber. Blank Certificates of Origin returned after 13 October will not be eligible for credit.

To facilitate necessary updates on our online portal, Ess Cert will be inaccessible from 3.00pm on Monday 11 September until 9.00am on 12 September. During this period, you will not be able to submit applications online. If an application is in draft or has been rejected and is not resubmitted before 3.00pm on 11 September, you will need to initiate a new application starting from 12 September in order to process a Plain Paper Printed UK Certificate of Origin. Please note that additional resources will be available on Friday 8 September, and Monday 11 September, ensuring uninterrupted service for these applications. If a new application is required due to rejection, our team will provide guidance in your rejection comments.

With this update, our online portal will automatically generate the Certificate of Origin number for your future applications. Additionally, the UK Certificate of Origin prefix for London Issued Certificates will transition from "BP" followed by seven digits to "IA" followed by seven digits. Please note, all applications must be printed in colour if processing a DIY application and printing in-house.

This transition aligns with the British Chamber of Commerce's (BCC) initiative for Trade Document digitization. We encourage you to share this information with your buyer for in-house printing or manage the printing process in-house to enhance your supply chain efficiency. However, please verify with your buyer if a wet signature is necessary.

Should a wet signature from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry be required, we are available to print and apply the wet stamp on your behalf. Furthermore, if the importer, bank, or customs authority of the destination country requires legalization, we can provide assistance. Please note that a "Chamber Printed Fee" of £5.10 (inclusive of VAT) will apply for documents printed by the Chamber. Detailed information about the fee structure can be found in our price list.

We have carefully evaluated the impact of this change and are confident that it will streamline the Certificate of Origin printing process, enhancing your internal operations. Worth noting is that the UK will be the 13th country globally to adopt this printing method. To date, no issues have been reported at customs borders related to this printing style. Numerous Chambers across the UK have successfully transitioned to plain paper printing without encountering any challenges.

Certificates of Origin printed through our online platform will feature additional security elements, including a QR code. This QR code enables easy verification of authenticity through scanning. Furthermore, the authenticity of the Certificate of Origin can be confirmed via the ICC verification website.

For any inquiries or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. You can reach us via phone on +44 (0)20 7248 4444) or email. We are committed to providing the guidance and support needed during this transition.

Kindly note that we are still awaiting feedback from the Arab Chamber of Commerce regarding potential changes to Arab Certificates of Origin, as well as from HMRC regarding EUR 1 Certificates. Currently, business operations for these two types of documentation remain unaffected.

We highly value your feedback and are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition for all our esteemed customers.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.