The Paraguayan Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) announced that starting July 18, it will be revising the certificate of origin form for exports to MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) and updating the Declaration of Origin (DJO). This measure aims to simplify trade procedures and boost intra-regional trade.

The biggest change lies in the Declaration of Origin (DJO). Previously, a DJO had to be submitted for each export invoice. Now, a DJO will be submitted per product, with its validity extended to one year and assigned a unique number. This unique number will be directly linked to the certificate of origin, which is expected to significantly reduce paperwork. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that this change will considerably alleviate the administrative burden on businesses.

There are also changes to the certificate of origin itself. The new form includes additional fields for the number and date of the corresponding DJO. Conversely, fields such as consignee, destination country, and means of transport have been removed, making the form more concise. These changes are expected to shorten document preparation time and reduce the likelihood of errors.

Trade among MERCOSUR member states has, until now, been a burden for many businesses due to complex documentary procedures. In particular, procedures related to certificates of origin have consumed a significant amount of time and cost for exporting and importing companies. This overhaul is expected to improve these inefficiencies, strengthening the competitiveness of Paraguayan businesses in accessing not only the MERCOSUR regional market but also the international market.

Certificate of Origin Issuing Bodies 

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has designated the following organizations as authorized to issue certificates of origin:

Paraguayan Chamber of Commerce and Services (CNCSP)
Paraguayan Cotton Association (Cadelpa)
Paraguayan Chamber of Exporters of Grains and Oilseeds (Capeco)
Paraguayan Exporters Association (Capex)
Paraguayan Federation of Wood Producers (Fepama)
Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP)
Additionally, certificates of origin can also be issued at the MIC's regional offices located in Alto Paraná, Itapúa, Amambay, Cordillera, Caaguazú, Guairá, Ñeembucú, and Concepción. This is interpreted as an intention to improve accessibility and convenience for local businesses.

This update to the certificate of origin form is part of MERCOSUR's ongoing efforts to accelerate intra-regional commercial procedures, improve product traceability, and facilitate access for member state goods to regional and international markets. As a key MERCOSUR member, Paraguay is expected to strengthen its export capacity and promote economic growth through these changes. This is particularly anticipated to have a positive impact on agricultural exports, such as soybeans, which are a major export commodity.

It remains to be seen whether this measure, coupled with similar efforts to streamline procedures in other MERCOSUR member states, will further accelerate regional economic integration.

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