Request a Certificate of Free Sale for Your Exports

A Certificate of Free Sale, sometimes called a “Certificate for Export” or “Certificate to Foreign Governments,” is evidence that goods—such as food items, cosmetics, biologics or medical devices—are legally sold or distributed in the open market, freely without restriction, and approved by the regulatory authorities in the country of origin (United States).

A Certificate of Free Sale is used when you are registering a new product in a country. You’re sending a Certificate of Free Sale to the customs authority in that country saying, in effect, “This is a new thing I’m going to start importing, and here are my support documents that confirm this product(s) is legal to sell in the country of manufacture."

How to Apply for a Certificate of Free Sale

If your international customer requests a Certificate of Free Sale, you can easily apply for a certificate through the Shipping Solutions website.

Just fill out the registration form on this page. There is no charge for registering for this service. You should receive your login credentials within two business days.

When you are ready to apply for a certificate, login to the electronic certificate of origin portal (eCO) with the login credentials you received. On the Chamber Certification portal click the Certificate of Free Sale button.

For each product you would like listed on the Certificate of Free Sale, you must upload two invoices showing the sale of each product to two different U.S. customers. Your company name and address should be on the invoices. The invoices should be dated within the last 12 months.

Then, fill in all the boxes on the screen including your company’s name, address, business activities, products and the country you are preparing the certificate for (see video above for more details). Click Preview to see a draft of your certificate. When the application is complete, click Submit Application.

Each Certificate of Free Sale is $100 plus the cost of sending you the Certificate via overnight courier. You will receive a certificate on American World Trade Chamber of Commerce (AWTCC) letterhead that includes the requested information as well as a chamber stamp.

Shipping Solutions AMP Subscribers

If your company uses Shipping Solutions export documentation software, you are eligible for discounted pricing. Not a Shipping Solutions software user and a current AMP subscriber? Contact us for more information about subscribing at 888-890-7447 or help@shippingsolutionssoftware.com. Or, let us show you how it works.

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Ready to start the process of getting a Certificate of Free Sale online? Fill out the registration form today and start generating certificates tomorrow. There is no cost or obligation for registering.

Certificate of Free Sale FAQs

What is a Certificate of Free Sale?

A Certificate of Free Sale, also known as a "Certificate for Export" or "Certificate to Foreign Governments," is a document that provides proof that goods, such as food items, cosmetics, biologics or medical devices comply with the regulatory requirements and are legally sold and distributed in the open market without any restrictions. These certificates are issued by the regulatory authorities in the country of origin, confirming the approval of the products for export. In the U.S., the regulatory authority may be the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or a select Chamber of Commerce, depending on the import requirements.
Does a Certificate of Free Sale expire?

No, only one Certificate of Free Sale is required for each product going to each country. You’re sending a certificate of free sale to the customs authority in that country saying, in effect, “This is a new thing I’m going to start importing, and here are my support documents that confirm this product(s) is legal to sell in the country of manufacture.”
Who issues a Certificate of Free Sale?

A Certificate of Free Sale must be issued by a regulatory agency like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or a select chamber of commerce. A chamber of commerce typically is able to issue the certificate more quickly and less expensively than the FDA, but exporters should confirm with the importer that a certificate stamped by a chamber of commerce is acceptable. Exporters who can issue a certificate of free sale stamped by a chamber of commerce can register for the service at the top of this page.

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