The entry-exit quarantine and inspection bureau in Pingtan, Fujian province recently issued a certificate of origin (COO) to a local export enterprise, allowing it to enjoy tariff incentives in the UK, reported news portal ptnet.cn.

An employee of Huamin Import and Export Co applies for a certificate of origin at the entry-exit quarantine and inspection bureau in Pingtan, Fujian province. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

A COO is a document used in international trade. It is 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.

With the COO, the third one ever signed in Pingtan, the Huamin Import and Export Co is eligible for preferential tariff policies in 27 European countries. It exported a batch of leisure shoes to UK.

The Lvsheng Agricultural Co has also obtained a COO in Pingtan, allowing the company’s products to enjoy preferential tariffs in 10 Southeastern Asian countries based on a free trade agreement between China and the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

Exports took off following the inauguration of the Pingtan Free Trade Zone in April. The entry-exit quarantine and inspection bureau has provided convenience for companies engaged in international trade in their COO application.

“Our company is based in Fuzhou and settled in Pingtan after the Pingtan FTZ’s inauguration. The COO application here is fast and convenient,” said Chen Shanshan, an employee at Huamin Co.