Paper C/O Procedures in Ho Chi Minh City: Changes to the Stamping Process

28/09/2026

Certain paper C/O forms are being sent to Ha Noi for stamping while the Regional Import-Export Management Branch III completes the registration process for its new official seal.

1/ Structural Reorganization and Revised Stamping Procedures

Pursuant to Decision No. 2232/QD-BCT, effective September 15, 2026, the Agency of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Industry and Trade) was restructured into four Regional Import-Export Management Offices. Among these, the Regional Import-Export Management Office No. III , located in Ho Chi Minh City, continues to administer the issuance of Certificates of Origin (C/O) for enterprises.

While the administrative procedures for registering the new official seal and specimen signatures are being finalized, a temporary procedural adjustment applies to select paper-based C/O applications:

• Four C/O forms subject to inter-office routing: Forms EUR.1, EUR.1 UK, EAV, and AI , upon examination and signature endorsement in Ho Chi Minh City, are dispatched to the Agency of Foreign Trade headquarters in Hanoi for final stamping before the original documents are returned to applicants
• Updating issuing authority details: For Forms EUR.1 and EUR.1 UK, enterprises must update the designated name of the issuing authority in the relevant box in strict accordance with the latest official guidelines

2/ Electronic C/O (e-C/O) Operations Remain Uninterrupted

Electronic Certificates of Origin (e-C/O) – including digitized data transmissions and certificates issued via the national single-window portal – administered by the Regional Import-Export Management Office No. III continue to operate normally without interruption.

Exporters are encouraged to leverage electronic C/O mechanisms whenever supported under the applicable Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and accepted by the importing customs administration.

3/ Practical Recommendations for Exporters

To mitigate risks of shipment delays, detention, or demurrage, exporting enterprises should undertake the following actions:

• Verify the applicable C/O issuance format: Clearly distinguish whether the shipment qualifies for an e-C/O or mandates a hard copy bearing an official wet seal (specifically under forms EUR.1, EUR.1 UK, EAV, or AI).
• Submit applications proactively: Lodge C/O documentation well in advance of departure, with particular attention to short-transit sea voyages and strict letter of credit (L/C) presentation deadlines
• Confirm clearance requirements with overseas buyers: Avoid assuming that C/O submissions can routinely be deferred post-arrival. Acceptance terms and allowable grace periods for retroactive C/O submissions are governed strictly by the provisions of each individual FTA and the destination customs authority
• Coordinate closely across operational stakeholders: Maintain active alignment between internal export documentation teams, freight forwarders, and overseas consignees to track application milestones and promptly integrate updates from the Regional Import-Export Management Office No. III and the Agency of Foreign Trade

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