Certificates of Origin for Chile under Japan-Chile EPA to be Shifted to Issuance in PDF Format

1. Procedures for issuing COs under the EPA

When exporting a product from Japan using the third-party certification system under the EPA, an exporter must apply for the issuance of a CO, after submitting documents to the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI)—the designated issuing body—to prove that the exporting product is of Japanese origin under the EPA and then receiving JCCI’s certification.

2. Shifting to issuance of COs in PDF format

Aiming to enhance convenience for businesses, the Government of Japan has been promoting the digitalization of COs.* As part of this effort, from February 5, 2024, COs for Chile under the Japan-Chile EPA will be shifted to issuance in PDF format. For details of the procedures for making import declarations at customs in Chile, please contact the Chilean customs office.

*Note: Current situation of the issuance of COs in PDF format

• January 2022 onward: Issuance of COs for Thailand under the Japan-Thailand EPA in PDF format and issuance of COs under the RCEP Agreement in the format
• June 2023 onward: Data exchange under the Japan-Indonesia EPA
• July 2023 onward: Issuance of COs for India under the Japan-India EPA in PDF format and issuance of COs for Malaysia under the Japan-Malaysia EPA and the Japan-ASEAN EPA in the format
• September 2023 onward: Issuance of COs for Viet Nam under the Japan-Viet Nam EPA and the Japan-ASEAN EPA in PDF format

3. EPA Info Desk

A consultation desk dedicated to the use of the EPAs has been established to handle various concerns, questions, and feedback regarding their use, as many of them have come into effect with differing rules of origin and other aspects. Please feel free to use the EPA Info Desk.

• To access the EPA Info Desk, visit here

Email address: epa-desk★epa-info.go.jp (Note: Please change the star (★) to (@).)
Contact office: Origin Certification Policy Office, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, METI

Division in Charge

• Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau
• Origin Certification Policy Office, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau