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Document Services/COFS

Certificate of Origin

A Certificate of Origin (often abbreviated to C/O or CoO) is a document used in international trade. It is an electronic document, completed by the exporter and certified by a recognized issuing body, attesting that the goods in a particular export shipment have been produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.

The Chamber issues all Certificates of Origin with a digital platform called essCert. With essCert, exporters and freight forwarders have a seamless and streamlined electronic solution providing real value in cost savings and efficiency gains. With essCert you will:

  • Eliminate courier costs
  • Reduce administration costs
  • Reduce errors
  • Improve turnaround time
  • Receive prompt notification of acceptance or rejection

Certificate of Origin cost

Members: $6 per stamp | Non-Members: $30 per stamp

Exporter Benefits

Learn the benefits of using essCert to process a Certificate of Origin

Sample Certificate of Origin

View a sample of what the Certificates of Origin look like through essCert

Guide to essCert

Learn how to apply for a certificate, manage consignees, and more

Questions? Please email [email protected].

Certificate of Free Sale

Applying for a Certificate of Free Sale

To obtain a Certificate of Free Sale (COFS), please provide the following documents to the Lake Champlain Chamber (LCC):

  1. The COFS Application (provided by LCC) with company contact information and destination location.
  2. A list of specific products (must match products on invoices).
  3. Copies of two separate invoices for the sale of each product to U.S. customers. The invoices must be dated within the last 12 months, and the product names on the invoices must match the names that will be put on the certificate. NOTE: Multiple products may be listed on a single certificate, but separate invoices showing the sale of each product to a U.S. customer are required.
  4. A signed and notarized COFS Affidavit (template provided by LCC) stating the authorized signatory’s role within the company, affirming that products were manufactured in the United States, and swearing the accuracy of the provided invoices and product list.

NOTE: Please check below to determine whether your products are eligible for certificates issued by the LCC. If the destination country requires an apostille, please contact the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office.

COFS are free for Lake Champlain Chamber members. There is a $50.00 fee for each COFS issued to a non-member. Payment by credit card required prior to issuance. Please email all documents to Nicole Belanus, [email protected]. A hard copy of the application and the affidavit MUST BE provided to us before we can issue a certificate. Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing. 

Products Eligible for Certificate of Free Sale

The Lake Champlain Chamber (LCC) will issue Certificates of Free Sale (COFS) for the following types of products:

  • Animal Supplements
  • Cosmetics
  • Soaps and Lotions
  • Additives and Flavorings
  • Cleaning Products
  • Alcohol
  • Over the Counter Topical Treatments

The LCC does not issue Certificates of Free Sale for those products regulated by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM). Please check with VAAFM about receiving a COFS for the following types of products:

  • Milk and Dairy Products for Human Consumption
  • Frozen Desserts
  • Commercial Feeds and Seeds
  • Meat and Meat Products
  • Ginseng
  • Apples
  • Maple Syrup and Maple Products
  • Eggs
  • Potatoes

If your products are not covered by either the LCC or the VAAFM, please contact the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to obtain your COFS.

Certificate of Free Sale cost:

Members: FREE
Non-Members: $50 per Certificate of Free Sale needed

Member Certificate

Do you need proof of your Chamber membership? Email [email protected] and we can send you a Member Certificate verifying your membership.