No more mountains of paper and waiting times: Since September 15, 2025, German companies have been able to process their certificates of origin completely digitally. The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce have introduced the digital certificate of origin (dUZ) – an important step towards modernizing foreign trade.
What will change in concrete terms?
Until now, companies were able to submit an application for an electronic certificate of origin (eCertificate of Origin) online, but still had to print out the finished document. The new digital certificate of origin puts an end to this: the entire process is completely digital – from application to use at customs.
Security at the highest level
Forgery-proof thanks to metadata
The dUZ uses significantly more security features than the previous eUZ. While the electronic certificate of origin only had a serial number and a verification code, the digital certificate works with comprehensive meta information for authentication.
Digital signature verifiable with one click
All information about the electronic certificate, the validation status and the digital signature is stored in the PDF. With a simple click, recipients can check the IHK seal and the clerk’s signature directly in Adobe Reader – without additional software or complicated procedures.
The advantages for your company
Save time and costs
Companies not only reduce paper and printing costs, but also speed up their entire export processes considerably. Whereas in the past it often took days between application and dispatch of the certificate of origin, documents can now reach the recipient within minutes.
Seamless integration into existing systems
The dUZ can be easily integrated into digital business processes and supply chain management systems. Exporters can fully automate their documentation while still meeting all legal requirements.
Legal certainty remains guaranteed
The digital certificate of origin retains its legal quality as a public document – even in fully digital form. It therefore has the same legal effect as conventional paper documents.
Promoting international acceptance
The CCIs support companies with special information letters to foreign business partners in order to promote acceptance of the new digital format. In this way, even markets with a traditional affinity for paper can be gradually won over to the digital solution.
Practical tip: The Nuremberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce provides a clear quick guide that takes you through the process step by step. You can find the document (only in german) at 202508-euzweb-quickguide-18-Unternehmen-dUZ.pdf and a fect sheet at _EN__Factsheet_dCO_in_Germany__Sep_2025.pdf.
Outlook: Further digitalization to follow
The digital certificate of origin is just the beginning. The CCIs are continuously expanding their range of digital services for exporting companies. In the coming years, it is expected that other foreign trade documents and procedures will be similarly modernized.
Conclusion
The digital certificate of origin will make international trade a little more sustainable. Companies benefit from faster processes, lower costs and the usual legal certainty. Anyone who has not yet digitized their export documentation should take the plunge now – the technology is mature and the benefits are measurable.
Sources:
- AEB Community – IHK stellen digitale Ursprungszeugnisse aus
- IHK Siegen – Elektronisches Ursprungszeugnis wird zum digitalen Ursprungszeugnis
- IHK Köln – Das elektronische Ursprungszeugnis (eUZ)
- IHK Erfurt – Zoll- und Außenwirtschaftsrecht: Was ändert sich alles 2025?
- Digitales Ursprungszeugnis (dUz) | IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken
