The Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has introduced an electronic certificate of origin initiative for exported manufactured or processed goods to streamline, improve efficiency and enable cost savings during the certification process.

eCertify, which was piloted last year to test the system, raise awareness and instil confidence among the export community, would eliminate the need for chambers, exporters and freight forwarders to courier the critical international trade document to the JCCI for certification.

“The electronic eCertify has been extensively tested in other countries and is widely accepted. It makes the exporting easier for exporters and freight forwarders,” JCCI CEO Joan Warburton-McBride said.

JCCI was currently the only chamber in the country offering the eCertify facility.

“eCertify presents a complete solution to the challenges as it eliminates paper-based processing, it is quick and immediate – eliminating the courier and reducing administration costs,” Warburton-McBride said.