In the first half of 2020, Quanzhou customs issued a total of 9,700 free trade certificates of origin for exports worth $460 million, a year-on-year increase of 9.2 percent.

They are expected to help enterprises with import tariff reductions worth $31.33 million.

A staff member at Quanzhou customs checks certificates of origin. [Photo/qzwb.com]

Of the total, the number of China-ASEAN free trade certificates of origin reached 5,000, for exports worth $290 million.

Quanzhou's exports to ASEAN countries involve 455 enterprises in the fields of textile products, shoes and hats, crafts, engineering and machinery, aquatic product processing, the stone industry, and electronic products. Together these exports effectively enhance the international competitiveness of products in the city.

The free trade certificate of origin is a document which certifies the origin or manufacturer of the goods. It is the main certificate used by international trade goods to enjoy a differential tariff treatment by the importer.

Enterprises that have certificates of origin can enjoy preferential tariffs in corresponding importing countries.

The certificates were primarily issued for exports to the Philippines and Thailand, worth $86.5 million and $54.33 million, a year-on-year increase of 33.3 percent and 31 percent respectively.

Also, at present, more and more Quanzhou enterprises are using the certificate of origin self-printing service. The proportion of self-printed certificates increased from 65.7 percent in May-December in 2019 to 86 percent in January-June this year.