Cambodia Extends C/O System on Pilot Basis

Cambodia recently extended its online certificate-of-origin system to three additional border provinces on a pilot basis, according to a Nov. 7 Hong Kong Trade Development Council report. The system was extended to Koh Kong, which borders Thailand, and Takeo and Kampot, which border Vietnam, the report said. The system allows businesses to apply and print a certificate of origin online through their local commerce department, HKTDC said, and is already in place for at least 10 other provinces.

During the pilot phase, the system can only be used in the three additional provinces for exports of agricultural goods, the report said. If the pilot proves successful, the system will extend to cover “all goods and to all remaining provinces before the end of this year,” according to HKTDC. The system aims to help businesses cut down on paperwork and the time it takes to apply for certificates of origin from up to two weeks down to less than 16 hours, the report said.