October 30, 2026. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said its network issued 6.60 million certificates of origin, commercial certificates and other trade documents from January to September, 7.29 % more than a year earlier. At its monthly press conference, spokesperson Wang Wenshuai also announced that the first electronic commercial certificate will be issued in November, with general use expected in 2027.
The numbers, January to September
According to CCPIT data reported by 10jqka and by Jiemian, citing CCTV:
- Non-preferential certificates of origin: 3.40 million documents (+2.94 %), covering USD 284.5 billion of goods (+9.26 %).
- Preferential certificates, used under trade agreements: 2.71 million (+18.71 %), covering USD 96.2 billion (+28.24 %).
- RCEP certificates: 279,400 documents covering USD 8.2 billion (+16.32 % in value).
- ATA carnets for temporary import of samples and trade-fair equipment: 11,000 (+14.42 %).
CCPIT said the electronic commercial certificate will have the same legal validity as the paper version.
APEC business summit in Shenzhen
CCPIT also said the APEC CEO Summit will be held in Shenzhen on November 17 and 18, with more than 2,000 participants expected from all 21 APEC economies, including Mexico, Chile and Peru.
What importers should do with this
Our take: a certificate of origin only lowers duties where a trade agreement applies. Mexico, for example, has no free-trade agreement with China, so the document does not cut Mexican tariffs, but it can still be required, for instance for goods subject to anti-dumping duties, as the trade platform Camtom explains. Online validation of electronic certificates should make it easier to confirm a document is genuine before the cargo reaches customs.
- Ask the supplier at quotation stage which documents it will provide: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and, if needed, a certificate of origin.
- Check with your customs broker whether your tariff code requires proof of origin. Our import requirements review covers this before you buy.
- Taking samples to a fair? Ask whether the destination accepts ATA carnets.
We prepare and review export documentation with the factory in China so your shipment clears without surprises.
