Approved Exporter and Certified Exporter Scheme

Authorised Self-Certification Regimes

The authorised self-certification regime is a trade facilitation initiative under the selected Free Trade Agreements (FTA) which allow authorised exporters who have demonstrated their capacity to comply with the origin requirements to self-certify the originating status of their goods. This would bring about greater convenience to businesses by saving time and eliminating the need to obtain a Certificate of Origin (CO).

There are currently 3 authorised self-certification regimes administered by Singapore Customs.

• ASEAN Wide Self Certification (AWSC) scheme under the ASEAN Trade in Good Agreement (ATIGA)

• Approved Exporter Scheme under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP)

• Approved Exporter Scheme under 2nd Protocol of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA)

Benefits of Authorised Self-Certification Regimes

Benefits of Authorised Self-Certification Regimes

How does an Authorised Self-Certification Regime work?

How does an Authorised Self-Certification Regime work?

Exporters are required to apply to be part of the Authorised Self- Certification regime based on domestic regulation of the competent authority (CA). After which, this information provided by successfully registered exporters will be shared among the Parties of the FTA. Customs authorities of Parties of the FTA will be able to access this information and undertake verification of Origin/Invoice Declaration submitted by the authorised exporters.

How to participate

Step 1 – Eligibility

• Exporters and exporters exporting goods in a back-to-back arrangement (B2B);

• Know and understand the Rules of Origin in the RCEP, AANZFTA and ATIGA and has shown a substantial amount of experience in export procedures;

• Has no record of any Rules of Origin fraud and at the same time, has shown good compliance as measured by risk management rules;

• Has a sound bookkeeping and record-keeping system;

• Exporter must have a “manufacturer’s declaration”, and the manufacturer must be ready for a retroactive check and verification should the need arise.

For more details, please refer to the ATIGA Operational Certification Procedures (OCP) Rule 12A Article 2, RCEP Operational Certification Procedures (OCP) Article 3.21 and AANZFTA Operational Certification Procedures Rule 15 Annex 3A.

Step 2 – Apply and register with us as an Approved/Certified Exporter

Apply and register with us as an Approved/Certified Exporter

Submit the “Application Form to be an AE/CE under RCEP/AWSC”to Singapore Customs. Please note that all CE under AWSC are auto approved to be an AE under RCEP. If you wish to be only authorised as an AE under RCEP, you may wish to submit the “Application Form to be an Approved Exporter”. If you wish to be only authorized as an AE under 2nd Protocol of the AANZFTA, you may wish to submit via “Application Form to be an Approved Exporter under AANZFTA”.

The applicant/company will be informed of the outcome of the application within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the application form. If the application to be an AE and/or CE is successful, an Authorisation Letter will be issued to the company.

Step 3 – Start your journey as an Approved/ Certified Exporter

Upon successful registration as an AE/CE, the AE/CE may proceed to self-certify and make a Declaration of Origin/ Origin Declaration only for the goods that the AE/CE has been authorised to make for and fulfil the AE/CE obligations set out in the RCEP/AANZFTA/ATIGA Operational Certification Procedures.

Renewal Procedure

The approved AE/CE registration is valid for 3 years. Upon approval of the application as an AE/CE, the AE/CE will receive an approval letter indicating the validity period. For renewal of AE/CE registration, 3 months before expiry, the AE/CE will receive a letter from Singapore Customs to apply to renew the AE/CE status.

Useful Resources

Need more information on how the various scheme work, the benefits, and the criteria for companies to become an AE/CE. Here are some resources which might be useful:

• Our latest handbook

• Infographic and brochure by ASEAN on AWSC