Documentation Services

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce provides a comprehensive documentation service - offering a range of documents that will enable your business to export goods around the world.

Our knowledgeable team of documentation experts are able to guide you through the application process, meaning that you are able to export your products abroad with confidence.

This service is available by post, electronically and, for urgent consignments, over the counter.

Create your electronic documents online here or email us for further information at export@blackcountrychamber.co.uk

In addition to delivering a fast, efficient, and professional service; members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce receive up to 50% discount on a range of documentation services.

Please contact us on 0330 024 0820 for more information.

Important Trade Update - As of February 2023 Egypt's Central Bank cancels mandatory requirement for letters of credit

The Central Bank of Egypt has announced that it has cancelled their instruction issued in February 2022 to use of Letters of credit as a requirement for imports and have re-introduced the payment method of cash against documents.

Although a very secure method of payment, the decision to introduce Letters of credit was blamed for disruptions to supply chains as it involved more cost and time due to the involvement of two banks while the cash against documents allows direct transactions between importers and exporters. As a result of this decision, Egypt has managed to release $5 billion worth of goods from ports with more to be released in the near future.

How we can help:



UK Certificates of Origin

From 1st April 2023 the UK Certificate of Origin process will be changing from a pre-printed three part form to a plain paper system. Click here for more information.

What are UK Certificates of Origin?

The UK Certificate of Origin is a commercial or customs clearance document that is required in some countries to evidence the origin of the goods being exported. In essence, this is a declaration that the goods you are exporting are obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country. This is an important document because customs officials around the world look at the origin of the goods when they determine the duty to be applied to them. As a Chamber, we can process your Certificate of Origin applications, effectively attesting as to the origin of the goods in question.


How do I apply for a UK Certificate of Origin?
  1. Complete Formal Undertaking
    In order to obtain certified documents, it is necessary for us to hold your signature on file. This is done in the form of a Formal Undertaking, which must be completed and signed by the proprietor, director, partner, or company secretary of your business and returned to the Chamber in original form by post or over the counter.
    Please note, an update of your company's Formal Undertaking is required on an annual basis. Click here to download a Formal Undertaking document.

  2. Completion Instructions
    Click here to familiarise yourself with the UK Certificate of Origin completion process. We recommend that you do this prior to completing your application, as inaccurate documentation can cause delays when exporting your goods.

  3. Submit Your Application
    You can submit your application to the Chamber through a number of channels to suit the needs of your business, which include via electronic processing, post or over-the-counter.

    From 1st April 2023 all manually produced applications will no longer be accepted so we are asking all companies to register on eCert, our online platform, to produce certificates of origin electronically.


Arab-British Certificates of Origin

What are Arab-British Certificates of Origin?
If you are exporting goods to countries that are in the Arab League States, you may be asked to provide an Arab-British Certificate of Origin. Similar to the UK Certificate of Origin, an Arab-British Certificate of Origin is a customs clearance document that is required in some countries in order to evidence the origin of the goods being exported and may also be requested by the importing company. The only authorising body that can officiate this document is the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, which is based in London. However, as a Chamber, we can facilitate the application process with the Arab-British Chamber on your behalf.

How do I apply for an Arab-British Certificate of Origin?

  1. Complete Formal Undertaking
    In order to obtain certified documents, it is necessary for us to hold your signature on file. This is done in the form of a Formal Undertaking, which must be completed and signed by the proprietor, director, partner, or company secretary of your business and returned to the Chamber in original form by post or over the counter. Please note, an update of your company's Formal Undertaking is required on an annual basis. Click here to download a Formal Undertaking document.

  2. Stationery
    Ensure that you have the appropriate stationery readily available in order to submit an application. You will be able to obtain blank Arab-British Certificate of Origin forms from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

  3. Completion Instructions
    Click here in order to familiarise yourself with the Arab-British Certificate of Origin completion process. We recommend that you do this prior to completing your application, as inaccurate documentation can cause delays when exporting your goods.

  4. Submit Your Application
    You can submit your application to the Chamber through a number of channels to suit the needs of your business, which include via post, electronic processing, or over-the-counter. The Chamber will then forward your documentation to the Arab-British Chamber for processing.

You can find a list of Arab League States here and a copy of the Indemnity for UK documents used for Arab Countries here.

Legalisation
If you require your document to be legalised by a particular embassy, consulate, notary or the UK Foreign Office, we can handle the entire process for you, saving your business time and money.


UK-EUR1 Movement Certificates

What are UK-EUR1 Movement Certificates?

A UK-EUR1 Movement Certificate is used to support claims for preferential rates of duty in the country of importation. To qualify the goods must originate in the UK and be supported by a correctly completed and endorsed UK-EUR1. Please note, the preference system only applies to countries where certain trade agreements exist with the UK


How do I apply for a UK-EUR1 Movement Certificate?

  1. Stationery
    Ensure that you have the appropriate stationery readily available in order to submit an application. You will be able to obtain blank UK-EUR1 forms from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

  2. Completion Instructions
    Click here for completions instructions. We recommend that you do this prior to completing your application, as inaccurate documentation can cause delays when exporting your goods.

  3. Submit Your Application
    You can submit your application to the Chamber through a number of channels to suit the needs of your business, which include via post, electronic processing, or over-the-counter.


In addition to the aforementioned documents, we can also process Force Majeure applications. Please contact us on 0330 024 0820 for further information.

Furthermore, please click here for more information on the International Trade services that you can access to help enhance your business' global prospects.