Germany – Introduction of the Fully Digital Certificate of Origin (DCO) System
Why this matters for foreign exporters / importers:
The shift to fully digital Certificates of Origin eliminates reliance on paper-based controls, requiring importers to adapt document verification workflows.
Failure to verify DCOs through the official electronic platform may lead to customs clearance delays or documentary challenges, despite the certificate being legally valid.
Importers and brokers must ensure operational staff are trained to recognise and process digital certificates correctly, reducing procedural risk.
Digital verification introduces greater traceability and transparency, but also increases exposure if internal compliance systems are not aligned.
Exporters issuing German-origin goods should confirm that trading partners are technically and procedurally ready to accept and verify DCOs.
The change regarding the implementation of the new digital Certificate of Origin system in Germany was published with the letter of the General Directorate of International Agreements and European Union Affairs dated 05.11.2025 and numbered 115323008. Under this regulation, as of 15 September 2025, Germany has fully transitioned from paper-based Certificates of Origin to Fully Digital Certificates of Origin (DCO) nationwide. The system, implemented under the coordination of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), enables Certificates of Origin to be issued as legally valid, tamper-proof and electronically verifiable documents.
The digital certificates are designed in a format comparable to the specimen set out in Specific Annex K, Appendix I of the Revised Kyoto Convention and each certificate carries a unique serial number and verification code, allowing authenticity checks to be performed electronically via https://cert.ihk.de.
This change has direct implications for companies trading in goods of German origin. Paper-based control practices are being replaced by a digital verification-based control mechanism, which will be used by both customs administrations and economic operators. Companies importing goods from Germany should adapt their internal customs and document control procedures to ensure that digital Certificates of Origin are verified through the official online platform, rather than relying on physical document checks. Customs brokers and compliance teams should also brief operational staff on the new digital format to avoid clearance delays, documentary discrepancies or challenges during customs controls. Failure to align internal processes with this new system may lead to unnecessary procedural risks and operational inefficiencies.
See Original- Regulation: Introduction of the Fully Digital Certificate of Origin (DCO) System.docx
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