I plan to export a used car purchased in Korea to the Philippines. Despite it being a used car and not new, I wonder if a Certificate of Origin can be issued under the Korea-ASEAN FTA. Especially, is it possible even if I am not the producer? Released

You inquired about exporting a used car purchased in Korea to the Philippines, regarding the possibility of obtaining a Certificate of Origin (COO) under the Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA), especially concerning the procedure when the exporter is not the producer. To get straight to the conclusion, even if it is a used car and not a new product, a Certificate of Origin can be issued if it meets the origin requirements stipulated by AKFTA, and even if the exporter is not the producer of the vehicle, you can obtain a Certificate of Origin through legitimate procedures.

The Korea-ASEAN FTA does not limit the issuance of Certificates of Origin solely to new products. What is important is whether the goods can be recognized as originating in Korea by meeting the origin determination criteria set forth in the agreement (e.g., Wholly Obtained Criteria or Product Specific Rules). In the case of a used car, if the vehicle was produced in Korea, it can be recognized as originating in Korea under the 'Wholly Obtained Criteria', and even if it is a used item that has been traded multiple times, its essential origin does not change, making it possible to issue a Certificate of Origin. In this process, if the exporter is not the producer, the application for a Certificate of Origin generally proceeds in one of two ways.

The first method is for the producer of the used car (e.g., an automobile manufacturer) to directly apply for a Certificate of Origin to the customs office or chamber of commerce with the necessary documents. However, due to the nature of used car exports, it is uncommon for the producer to apply directly. The second and most suitable method for you is for the exporter to obtain an Origin Confirmation Document from the supplier of the used car (i.e., the dealer or individual seller who sold you the used car), and then apply for the Certificate of Origin based on this document.

At this point, the most crucial document is the Origin Confirmation Document. The Origin Confirmation Document is a document where the producer or supplier, not the exporter, confirms and certifies that the origin of the goods is Korea. In the case of used cars, it may be difficult to obtain an Origin Confirmation Document directly from the original producer due to their sales history; therefore, you should obtain an Origin Confirmation Document issued by the person who supplied the vehicle to you (e.g., a used car dealer), who confirms the vehicle's origin as Korea based on past purchase history, vehicle registration certificate, manufacturing certificate, etc. This Origin Confirmation Document must include clear details such as the vehicle's model name, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), producer information, and a clear statement that it is made in Korea.

Once you have obtained the Origin Confirmation Document, you will then prepare an Origin Statement based on it. The Origin Statement is a document where the exporter self-declares that the origin of the goods is Korea, proving the origin of the goods by attaching supplier confirmation documents such as the Origin Confirmation Document. In the case of a used car, since the vehicle was manufactured and distributed within Korea, its origin can be declared by applying the Wholly Obtained (WO) criteria. In other words, a car produced in Korea can be considered a 'wholly obtained product' of Korea.

Other required documents are as follows. First, a copy of the Export Declaration Certificate is a document proving that the actual export has taken place. Second, an Invoice or Sales Contract is a basic commercial document specifying the contents and terms of the export transaction. Third, documents that can substantiate the information stated in the Origin Statement must be submitted if requested by the issuing authority (customs office or chamber of commerce). For a used car, these may include the vehicle registration certificate, vehicle manufacturing certificate, previous owner's purchase records, or manufacturer's origin-related documents. In particular, documents that can confirm the country of manufacture and the manufacturer through the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be critically important for substantiating origin.

The issuance of a Certificate of Origin is only possible if the exported goods meet the origin requirements under AKFTA regulations. In the case of a used car, if it was produced in Korea, there is generally no significant difficulty in determining its origin. When applying for a Certificate of Origin, the accuracy of submitted documents and the reliability of origin information are extremely important; therefore, it is advisable to carefully check and retain relevant documents, such as the Origin Confirmation Document, during the preparation of key documents. Since preferential tariffs will be applied when exporting to the Philippines with a Certificate of Origin, accurately following this procedure will significantly help in cost savings. For more detailed and accurate preparation, we recommend consulting with a customs expert to receive customized support.