Preparing for the 1 August 2026 OCO Deadline

From 1 August 2026, all Ordinary Certificate of Origin (OCO) applications in Singapore must be submitted electronically through the digital platforms of the Authorized Organizations. Manual submissions will no longer be accepted after this date, and there will be no grace period once the mandate takes effect. 

For manufacturers, traders, exporters, customs brokers, and trade documentation teams, this is more than a switch from paper to electronic submission. It changes how a business-critical trade document is prepared, submitted, tracked, and managed across teams. 

With the right preparation, the transition can be straightforward. This guide explains what is changing, where businesses may face disruption, and how teams can move to electronic OCO submission with confidence before the 1 August 2026 deadline. 
 

What is an Ordinary Certificate of Origin (OCO)? 

An Ordinary Certificate of Origin (OCO), also know as non-preferential CO, is a trade document that certifies where goods are produced or manufactured. Overseas customs authorities, buyers, banks, and other trade parties may require it as part of the export documentation process. 

In Singapore, OCO applications are processed through Authorized Organizations (AOs). The five AOs are the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation. 
 

What is changing from 1 August 2026? 

From 1 August 2026, all OCO applications in Singapore must be submitted electronically through the AOs' digital platforms. Manual submissions will no longer be accepted by the AOs after this date, and there will be no grace period after implementation. 

The key points to know: 

• All OCO applications must be submitted electronically from 1 August 2026.
• Manual submissions will no longer be accepted by the AOs after 1 August 2026.
• Manual OCO applications submitted before 1 August 2026 will continue to be processed by the AOs.
• There is no grace period after the implementation date. 

Because there is no grace period, businesses should not wait until August to review their current process, onboard to the relevant electronic system, or train internal users. 
 

Who needs to prepare for electronic OCO submissions? 

The mandatory electronic OCO submission applies to any business or team that prepares, submits, or manages OCO applications in Singapore, including: 

• Exporters
• Customs brokers
• Manufacturers and traders
• Trade documentation teams
• Any business applying for an OCO

If your team currently depends on paper forms, physical document handling, manual status checks, or repeated follow-ups with AOs, now is the time to move to an electronic OCO workflow. 
 

Where manual OCO workflows can create disruption 

Moving from manual to electronic OCO submission can seem straightforward, but teams may still face disruption if the transition is left too late. The challenge is not only to submit OCO applications electronically. It is to ensure that internal users, document records, application tracking, and approval routines are ready before manual submission is withdrawn. 

Common challenges include: 

• Unclear internal ownership of the OCO submission process
• Users who are unfamiliar with electronic OCO application procedures
• Existing paper-based records that are difficult to track or retrieve
• Repeated manual checks to confirm application status
• Last-minute onboarding or access issues close to the deadline
• Delays caused by missing documents or incomplete application details 

For businesses handling frequent export documentation, even small process gaps can create avoidable delays. A smoother transition starts with reviewing the current workflow, identifying manual touchpoints, and moving users onto an electronic OCO process before manual submission ends. 

How can businesses prepare for electronic OCO submissions? 

Singapore Customs encourages manufacturers and traders to familiarize themselves with their respective AOs' electronic OCO application procedures before the implementation date. This may include planning to onboard, testing the electronic submission process, and contacting the relevant AO for training or technical support if required. 

Use this practical preparation checklist: 

1. Review your current OCO workflow. Identify how your team prepares, submits, tracks, and stores OCO applications today.
2. Confirm your AO's electronic process. Check which AO your business uses and understand its electronic OCO submission requirements.
3. Onboard before the deadline. Set up user access and test the electronic process before manual submission is withdrawn.
4. Prepare your internal team. Make sure your documentation, operations, and compliance teams understand what will change.
5. Strengthen how OCO records are managed. A digital workflow reduces reliance on paper files, manual tracking, and scattered documentation. 

For teams looking to make this transition more manageable, CrimsonLogic Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) supports the online application, management, and verification of OCOs on a single platform. Instead of relying on physical document maintenance and scattered records, businesses can manage OCO applications digitally, access past OCO filings and digital documents stored in the system for two years and use secureCODE to validate document integrity where applicable. 

This helps documentation teams move toward a more structured electronic OCO workflow, with better visibility over applications and easier access to records as manual submission is withdrawn. 

Frequently asked questions about electronic OCO submission in Singapore 

Is electronic OCO submission mandatory from 1 August 2026? 
Yes. From 1 August 2026, all OCO applications must be submitted electronically through the AOs' digital platforms. Manual submissions will no longer be accepted after this date. 

Will there be a grace period after 1 August 2026? 
No. There will be no grace period after the 1 August 2026 implementation date. 

Where manual OCO workflows can create disruption 
Manual OCO applications submitted before 1 August 2026 will continue to be processed by the AOs. 

Which AO should businesses approach for electronic OCO application? 
Businesses may approach any of the five AOs:

1. Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)

2. Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI)

3. Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) 

4. Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI)

5. Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF)

As all five AOs already have existing electronic OCO systems in place, businesses should contact their respective AO directly for guidance on procedures, requirements, and electronic system usage.