e-Cert & a-Cert - Electronic Certificate of Origin Applications
- What is E-Cert/A-Cert?
- What are the Benefits?
- What are the Cost Implications?
- What is the Future of E-Cert/A-Cert?
- Applying for E-Cert/A-Cert

What is E-Cert/A-Cert?
E-Cert/A-Cert is a venture between the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on behalf of the Certification and International Trade Committee, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and i2i Limited. The initiative was re-launched in January 2003 and is the first Internet Business to Business application for European Community & Arab-British Certificates of Origin.
It enables a UK exporter to apply for both types of Certificate of Origin over the Internet to produce a hardcopy document. From November 2005, e-Cert eXpress will be available for a UK exporter to apply for EC Certificates of Origin on-line and to receive the completed application signed and stamped by this Chamber of Commerce electronically.
Future development of E-Cert/A-Cert will enable the progression towards paperless Electronic Certificates when European legislation permits.
What are the benefits?
- Speed
- Cost savings (couriers, postal service, staff resource)
- Efficiency
- Effective Communication
- Professional end product
What are the Cost Implications?
There are no additional cost implications for the company.
How do we see the Future of E-Cert?
- Completion of all documents on line
- Interaction with third parties on line
- Encouraging overseas customs and customers to accept electronic documents
Procedures for applying for an electronic Certificate of Origin
- Access e-Cert/a-Cert v.3 by clicking here
- Register your company
- Upload your scanned signatures to the site*
- Create your own database files
- Complete your Certificate of Origin and or Invoice
- Electronically send your completed application to the Chamber for processing
*If you are unable to scan your own signatures we can do this on your behalf for a small cost
In order to register the issuing body username is southampton and the password is bounce (both in lower case)
If you require any additional information please contact Jackie on 023 8022 3541


