We're exporting to Europe and have been trying to have a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued since Monday. Normally it's a very simple procedure, but apparently the government has switched to an online system which isn't working, so no CO's are being issued. Rather than having a test run or soft opening, they scrapped the old system and went straight to the online one.

I'm told very few companies have been able to get a CO. Has anybody else had problems or know anything more about the situation?

We're exporting to Europe and have been trying to have a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued since Monday. Normally it's a very simple procedure, but apparently the government has switched to an online system which isn't working, so no CO's are being issued. Rather than having a test run or soft opening, they scrapped the old system and went straight to the online one.

I'm told very few companies have been able to get a CO. Has anybody else had problems or know anything more about the situation?

The problem is not with the online system, it is simply that they are now enforcing the rules a bit more... Previously you could ask for a C/O without having to prove that your product was actually made in Thailand, they would pretty much just rubber stamp anything put in front of them.

Now they are requiring people to prove that at least 30% local before allowing a C/O. As an example, one of our customers imports shirts from China and the buttons are put on the shirts here in Thailand... This is enough to get a C/O.

Once you go through the appoval process you will be issued a card that will allow you to receive a C/O quickly and without any problems. The process of applyng for and receiving the card usually only takes about 5 days.