Transparency of origin: The foundation of digital trust.

Photo caption — The National Assembly votes to pass the Law on E-commerce. Photo: Doan Tan/TTXVN.

In the context of the e-commerce boom, cross-border transactions are taking place at unprecedented speed and scale. The origin of goods is no longer merely a technical procedure for customs clearance or enjoying preferential tariffs, but has become the foundation of market confidence, consumer protection, and national competitiveness.

According to experts, for many years, the verification and proof of origin of goods has mainly relied on paper-based certificates of origin (C/O), with a manual process of submission, approval, issuance, and presentation that reveals certain limitations.

A report published by the World Customs Organization (WCO) at the end of 2023 indicated the inevitable trend towards electronic Certificates of Origin (C/O), with the transmission and processing of origin data entirely digital, reducing time, increasing accuracy, and improving data sharing between authorities.

In Vietnam, this process is being strongly promoted, but with administrative procedure reforms and national digital transformation. Circular 40/2025/TT-BCT, effective from July 1, 2025, stipulates that the entire process of issuing and managing Certificates of Origin (C/O) will be carried out on the eCoSys system. This is a pivotal step that allows businesses to declare online, digitally sign, and receive electronic C/Os, while also connecting with the National Single Window Portal for data verification and reconciliation.

According to assessments by the European business community in Vietnam, the waiting time for paper-based Certificates of Origin (C/O), ranging from 3 to 5 days, and even exceeding a week in some cases, has become a significant obstacle to production and delivery progress. In this context, digitizing C/Os is not just a procedural improvement but a vital requirement for businesses to participate deeply in cross-border e-commerce. Notably, the recently passed E-commerce Law has expanded the scope of the issue of product origin, not limited to import and export but encompassing the entire online market.

Lawyer Nguyen Thanh Ha, Chairman of SB LAW Firm, commented: The greatest significance of the Law lies in the fact that Vietnam, for the first time, has a specialized legal document that comprehensively regulates e-commerce activities, replacing the fragmented legal framework that previously relied mainly on decrees and circulars.

"Legalizing platform responsibilities, ensuring transparency of product information, and controlling origin fraud are the foundation of digital trust, a key factor for all electronic transactions," lawyer Nguyen Thanh Ha stated.

Notably, the E-commerce Law also clearly stipulates the responsibility of platform owners in controlling the origin and provenance of goods, requiring sellers to provide complete invoices and documents, and allowing regulatory agencies to access data when necessary. In particular, the obligation to remove infringing stores within 24 hours if counterfeit or fraudulent goods are detected has shifted the role of platforms from "passive intermediaries" to entities with direct legal responsibility. This is a fundamental change, because in the e-commerce environment where goods are offered for sale across borders with just a few clicks, the origin of goods is the boundary between legitimate trade and commercial fraud.

From a state management perspective, connecting the electronic Certificate of Origin (C/O) issuance system with e-commerce platforms is a strategic step. According to Ms. Lai Viet Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade), this connection helps businesses reduce paperwork, save costs, and enhance the transparency of origin information in international transactions.

However, for the system to operate effectively, further improvements to the legal framework, data standardization, and the establishment of coordination mechanisms between the Certificate of Origin (C/O) issuing authority, customs authorities, and e-commerce platforms are necessary. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accessing the electronic C/O system through technical training, declaration support services, and direct integration with e-commerce platforms is also crucial.

Digitizing certificates of origin and integrating them with e-commerce not only brings benefits in terms of time, cost, and transparency, but also forms the foundation for businesses to enhance their competitiveness in the international market. When data systems are standardized, easily accessible, and automatically interconnected, Vietnamese goods will have a significant advantage in meeting the stringent technical requirements of major import markets.

In reality, despite great potential, many local entities still face difficulties in applying technology, from traceability to the use of AI and digital platforms. This highlights the role of the State in supporting training, improving digital infrastructure, and building a shared data ecosystem where information on origin, quality, and certification is interconnected from production to consumption.

Furthermore, in the context of a rapidly developing digital market, counterfeit goods, imitation products, and origin fraud not only harm consumers but also erode the reputation of Vietnamese goods in the international market. The E-commerce Law emphasizes the responsibility of controlling goods, protecting data, and ensuring information transparency, not only to tighten management but also to create incentives for businesses to invest systematically in compliance systems and technology. Simultaneously, businesses cannot simply fulfill minimum obligations but need comprehensive upgrades, from contracts and operating regulations to technological infrastructure and data management.

According to experts, transparency of origin in the e-commerce environment is shifting from a technical requirement to a pillar of the digital economy. When certificates of origin are digitized, data is standardized and interconnected with customs, e-commerce platforms, and regulatory agencies, Vietnamese goods will have a clear advantage in meeting the stringent standards of the international market.

More importantly, consumer confidence in online transactions will be strengthened, creating a foundation for the sustainable development of e-commerce in line with the spirit and expectations of the E-commerce Law recently passed by the National Assembly.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/minh-bach-xuat-xu-nen-mong-cua-niem-tin-so-20251220094756381.htm