Circular No. 26/2026/TT-BCT: What Should Businesses Do Before August 1, 2026 to Avoid Disruptions in Certificate of Origin (C/O) Issuance?

On July 14, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 26/2026/TT-BCT, introducing new regulations on the decentralization of authorities responsible for issuing Certificates of Origin (C/O).

Under the new regulation, effective August 1, 2026, the authority to issue Certificates of Origin will be shared between the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) and the Departments of Industry and Trade (DOITs) of provinces and centrally governed cities.

This is an important regulatory change for exporting enterprises, particularly FDI manufacturers that regularly apply for Certificates of Origin to benefit from preferential tariffs under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

If businesses fail to update their registration on the eCoSys system before the effective date, the issuance of Certificates of Origin may be interrupted, potentially affecting shipment schedules, customs clearance, and tariff preferences in the importing country.

1. Identify the Correct Certificate of Origin Issuing Authority

According to Circular No. 26/2026/TT-BCT, from August 1, 2026, businesses must identify the appropriate authority responsible for receiving and processing their Certificate of Origin applications.

Depending on the enterprise’s jurisdiction and the applicable Certificate of Origin form, applications will be submitted to:

• The Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; or
• The Department of Industry and Trade (DOIT) authorized to issue Certificates of Origin within the relevant province or city.

Businesses should review the list of authorized issuing authorities provided in the appendices attached to the Circular to ensure they register with the correct authority.

2. Re-register on the eCoSys System

The decentralization of C/O issuing authorities requires businesses to update their registration information on the eCoSys system before the Circular becomes effective.

Failure to complete the registration update may result in difficulties when submitting Certificate of Origin applications from August 1, 2026 onward.

3. What Must Businesses Complete Before August 1, 2026?

4. Will the Certificate of Origin Issuance Process Change?

Businesses should note that the decentralization only changes the authority responsible for receiving and processing Certificate of Origin applications.

The following elements remain unchanged:

• Rules of origin.
• Applicable Certificate of Origin forms under each Free Trade Agreement.
• Required application documents.
• The declaration process on the eCoSys system.

Therefore, businesses do not need to modify their standard documentation preparation process. However, they must complete the registration with the appropriate Certificate of Origin issuing authority to avoid application errors after August 1, 2026.

Checklist: Actions Businesses Should Complete Before August 1, 2026