15.09.2025 - A new era begins today for Germany's exporters: From now on, companies can receive certificates of origin and attestations nationwide as tamper-proof, digitally signed PDFs. This has been made possible by a new function of the established IHK application eUZweb. The IHK organisation is one of the few institutions in Germany that issues completely digital certificates on this scale – more than one million per year. 

"The digital certificate of origin is a real breakthrough for our companies," says Volker Treier, Head of Foreign Trade at the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). "It makes export business faster, safer, and simpler – a milestone on the path to greater efficiency in international trade." 

Until now, companies could apply for certificates of origin online, but a printed version was still required for issuing or use. With the new solution, this intermediate step is eliminated – the certificates are issued fully digitally as legally binding PDFs. 

Certificates of origin are central documents in international trade. They officially confirm the trade-policy origin of a good and are required by many customs authorities worldwide, for example, to correctly apply import regulations or customs duty rates. Germany's 79 Chambers of Commerce and Industry issue about one million of these certificates every year. 

The new digital version – abbreviated dUZ – meets the highest legal standards. Each document contains a digital signature, a unique serial number, and a verification or QR code that allows authenticity checks online. 

For companies, this means noticeable relief: The usual application procedure remains unchanged – applications are still made via the central platform. The new feature is that the documents will also be available digitally starting in mid-September. This eliminates printouts, enabling businesses to forward the certificates electronically immediately. 

"Especially in times of complex supply chains and increasing trade barriers, digitising certificates of origin sends an important signal," Treier adds. "It saves valuable time, reduces effort, and enhances the competitiveness of Germany as an export location."

Further information: https://euz.ihk.de/euzweb (only available in German)