GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026
affidavit
When an importer needs to prove the origin or value of goods but the official certificate is missing or destroyed, an affidavit can serve as supporting evidence before customs.
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Source: https://www.trade.gov/certificate-and-attestation-affidavit-origin
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Definition & Explanation
When an importer needs to prove the origin or value of goods but the official certificate is missing or destroyed, an affidavit can serve as supporting evidence before customs. It is a written statement made under oath or solemn affirmation, in which a person or organisation certifies specific facts about a shipment – such as origin, value, condition, or authenticity – with binding legal effect. In freight and customs practice, affidavits come into play when original documents are unavailable or when a customs authority requests additional proof to support a preferential origin claim. The signatory assumes full personal legal liability for every statement; a false affidavit can result in criminal charges. Unlike official certificates issued by government agencies or chambers of commerce – such as a certificate of origin or an EUR.1 movement certificate – an affidavit is self-certified by the declaring party, which is why customs authorities tend to scrutinise it more closely.
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