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Since Brexit, accurately documenting the origin of goods has become critical for customs compliance and access to preferential tariffs. While formal Certificates of Origin (COOs) are not mandatory under trade agreements like the UK - Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), exporters from the EU must now use a simpler—but no less vital—alternative: the statement on origin.
What is a statement on origin?
A statement on origin is a declaration made by the exporter on invoices or other commercial documents certifying where goods were produced or sufficiently transformed. While importers may occasionally request a formal COO, typically issued by chambers of commerce or trade bodies, statement on origin are the standard requirement for UK exporters trading with the EU and CPTPP countries. Both forms confirm compliance with rules of origin, customs regulations, and eligibility for reduced or zero tariffs.
A valid statement on origin must typically include:
- A description of the product
- The country of production or sufficient processing
- The exporter's declaration confirming compliance with origin rules
Under the UK-CPTPP, exporters have flexibility: proof of origin can be provided through either a statement on origin or a formal Certificate of origin, provided it contains the minimum required data.
Following Brexit, Proof of origin is required only if the exporter wants to claim preferential tariff treatment. Depending on the specific agreement and value of the shipment, this proof may take the form of a statement on origin, a EUR1/EUR-MED movement certificate, or other permitted documents.
Exporters must include the statement on origin on the commercial invoice or a similar document and maintain supporting evidence such as production records, supplier declarations, and other documentation. Failure to provide accurate proof can lead to the loss of tariff preferences, customs delays, shipment refusals, or penalties.
The Impact of Statement on Origin Requirements on UK Warehousing Operations
Border Delays
Border delays have become a major challenge for UK warehouses since Brexit. UK customs inspections and hold-ups are triggered when trucks arrive with missing or inaccurate paperwork, such as mismatches between goods and packing lists, missing licenses, or incomplete statement on origin. Even minor documentation errors can result in lorries being held, especially for regulated goods like food, pharmaceuticals, or dual-use items.
These delays don’t just disrupt operations—they directly impact the bottom line. Every hour a truck waits at the border can mean higher detention fees, missed delivery slots, strained customer relationships, and financial penalties. In January 2021, 60% of over 400 companies surveyed reported that goods from Europe were reaching the UK more slowly than before the TCA came into force, with 37% citing delays of several days. According to a Financial Times report, customs officials' time reviewing documentation was the biggest contributor to these delays.
Increased Admin Load
Border delays caused by issues with the statement on origin place administrative burdens on the admins. When paperwork is missing, incorrect, or flagged by customs, the admin must shift their focus from routine warehouse operations to troubleshooting documentation problems. They must contact hauliers, customs brokers, and suppliers to locate the correct documents or issue amended versions.
Dock Congestion
Dock congestion occurs when too many vehicles, such as lorries or trucks, arrive simultaneously at a warehouse or port to load or unload goods. One major cause of dock congestion is delays due to incorrect paperwork or missed transport slots. When lorries arrive late or several show up at once, they can overwhelm the available dock space and throw off the planned loading and unloading schedule.
A common problem that leads to dock congestion is a missing or incorrect statement on origin. Without the correct documentation, the warehouse cannot legally release the shipment. As a result, goods remain on the dock, occupying valuable space and causing further delays for the following scheduled collections.
How Opendock Supports Statement on Origin Compliance in the UK
Smart warehouses solve their customers’ problems before they even realise they have one. Help get compliance right the first time and become the preferred destination for importers, truckers, and brokers. Here are some of the benefits of using Opendock:
Pre-scheduled Deliveries
Opendock gives warehouses full control over inbound deliveries, helping reduce wait times, avoid detention fees, and streamline coordination across carriers, brokers, and warehouse teams. Opendock keeps daily operations predictable, efficient, and compliant by improving visibility into shipment schedules and requirements.
One of Opendock’s standout features is its document verification process. Appointments can only be made after all required documents, like the statement on origin, are uploaded and approved. This helps ensure that shipments follow the rules and don’t experience customs delays or cause problems later.
Real-time Rescheduling
Opendock supports dynamic, real-time rescheduling of dock appointments, allowing you to adapt quickly when unexpected delays occur. The platform will enable carriers, suppliers, and warehouse teams to update delivery times instantly, whether due to customs clearance issues, missing documentation, or last-minute changes in shipment readiness. This minimizes delays, prevents congestion, and avoids costly penalties at the dock.
Partner Coordination and Visibility
Opendock provides customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and warehouse teams with a shared view of incoming shipments and the status of their supporting documentation. This centralized visibility ensures that everyone involved in the logistics chain is aligned on key details, such as whether required documents like the statement on origin have been submitted, reviewed, and approved.
By breaking down silos between stakeholders, Opendock improves communication and faster issue resolution. This is especially important where even minor delays or missing paperwork can result in customs hold-ups, fines, or non-compliance.
Digital Audit Trail for Compliance Tracking
Opendock ensures comprehensive compliance tracking through a robust digital audit trail that records every interaction and update with precision. Each action, such as scheduling a dock appointment, uploading essential shipping documents like statement on origin, Bills of Lading, and packing lists, or modifying appointment details, is automatically timestamped and securely logged.
This immutable record increases transparency and streamlines adherence to HMRC regulatory requirements. During audits or regulatory inspections, stakeholders can quickly retrieve detailed, verifiable records demonstrating document readiness, shipment handling timelines, and adherence to customs procedures.
Next Steps
Post-Brexit trade importation means compliance is more important. Opendock gives warehouses full control over inbound deliveries, helping reduce wait times, avoid detention fees, and streamline coordination across carriers, brokers, and warehouse teams. Opendock keeps daily operations predictable, efficient, and compliant by improving visibility into shipment schedules and requirements.
But Opendock doesn’t just help you schedule trucks, it helps you protect your operations before problems arise. One of its key capabilities is document-gated scheduling: appointments can only be confirmed once critical documents, such as statement on origin, Bills of Lading, or packing lists, have been uploaded. This ensures that shipments without proper customs paperwork are flagged or blocked before they ever arrive at your dock, reducing the risk of customs delays, rejected shipments, dock congestion, and compliance penalties.
What step can you take today to enhance your business’s profitability and compliance?
- Review your current customs workflows and ensure you’re capturing all required compliance documents. All origin documents, including statement on origin, must be completed before a shipment is booked for arrival.
- Implement a dock scheduling system like Opendock that requires document readiness before confirming appointments. Don’t waste appointment slots and your time on lorries that won’t get to your dock.
- Ready to move from reactive firefighting to proactive control? Request a demo of Opendock and see how it can safeguard your operations, compliance, and customer relationships.
