Singapore Customs has announced the full transition to mandatory electronic submission of Ordinary Certificate of Origin (OCO) applications by 1 August 2026. Under Circular No. 07/2026 issued on 7 May 2026, all manufacturers and traders applying for OCOs or Certificates of Processing through Singapore’s five Authorized Organizations (AOs) must submit applications via the respective AO digital platforms. Manual submissions will no longer be accepted after the implementation date.
The initiative is part of Singapore’s broader digital trade transformation strategy aimed at improving efficiency, accessibility, and record-keeping within origin certification processes. Singapore Customs highlighted that electronic submissions will allow businesses to apply for OCOs at any time, monitor application statuses more effectively, and benefit from streamlined automated workflows. The transition also supports enhanced data management capabilities for the AOs.
The five recognized AOs involved in the transition are the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation. All five organizations already operate electronic OCO systems.
Importantly, Singapore Customs confirmed there will be no grace period after 1 August 2026. Any manual applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed, but all new applications from that date onward must be lodged electronically. Businesses are therefore strongly encouraged to begin onboarding, testing, and familiarizing themselves with the relevant AO systems well ahead of implementation. Companies encountering technical difficulties or requiring training support should engage directly with their chosen AO early to minimize operational disruption during the transition.
Please refer to the following circular 07/2026 as issued under Singapore Customs: