As international trade begins to pick up after a challenging year for importers and exporters, companies are once again starting to ship goods to Iraq post-lockdown, especially in India.
As an exporter to the Middle Eastern country, there are certain things you need to know about the Iraqi Certificate of Inspection (COI), the official documentation available for non-regulated products entering the market. Read on for a refresher of the details.
What is the Iraq COI?
The Iraqi Certificate of Inspection (COI) is an alternate method to the Certificate of Conformity (COC) of obtaining authorization to export goods to Iraq.
All goods that are listed in the control catalog that are exported to Iraq have to be certified with an accompanying COC. For these goods, the Iraqi COC is a compulsory certificate which has to be applied for by the exporter in order to achieve customs clearance in Iraq. The controlled products include six categories: food, chemicals, engineering, textiles, construction, and safety products; and extend to nearly 1,000 variations.
However, if the exporter needs to issue a certificate for products outside the scope of COC controls, they can apply for a COI, which can be issued by an authorized third-party inspection company. The COI is a one-time customs clearance document applied to each individual shipment. For all unlisted goods, obtaining the (COI) is therefore mandatory to ensure that exporters and importers trading with Iraq are compliant with the requirements of pre-inspection and testing such as: quality, quantity, tariff classification, import eligibility and price of the goods.
The importance of COI
Iraq’s Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC) launched its COI program to protect Iraqi consumers, producers, the environment, and to safeguard public safety and the national economy from using substandard goods such as debased and fake products.
For those products not in the regulated products, exporter/importer should always issue the COI certificate. Otherwise, the goods will not be claimed. Only a third-party inspection company authorized by COSQC can implement the ICIGI and the certificate issued will be recognized by Iraq customs.
This program started in 2011 and every three years COSQC reviews the authorized vendor lists who provide the COC service and re-authorized companies. AQM BD is one of only a few in the industry authorized by COSQC to conduct the IGICI program.
What kind of goods are exported and imported in Iraq?
Iraq is one of the world’s biggest producers and exporters of oil. Shipments of crude oil account for most of its total exports. Main export partners are the US, India, China, and South Korea. Others include Italy, Japan, France, and Syria.Iraq’s main imports are machinery and transport equipment, manufactured articles, mineral fuels, and chemicals and related products. Main import partners are Syria, China, and US. Others include South Korea, Jordan, Germany, and of course India.
Can I export to Iraq from India?
Yes, Indian companies are starting to ship to Iraq again following months of uncertainty due to Covid-19. The country’s main import partners are Syria, China, and the US, South Korea, Jordan, Germany.
Indian exports to Iraq consist of agro chemicals, cosmetics, rubber manufactured products, paints, gems and jewellery, ceramics, manufactures of metals, machine tools, electrical machinery and instruments, transport equipment, electronic goods, handicrafts, cereals, sugar, tea, garments and pharmaceuticals.
How to apply for Iraq COI
To apply for a COI certification, you need an application form, commercial invoice (or proforma invoice), packing list, and a bill of loading before issuing the final certificate. The COI form must be completed by importers and the control body of the exporter. The next part of the form should be completed by the relevant administrators following inspection.
The certificate is created once the inspection has been completed and is issued by the inspector, who works for an authorized independent quality control company, reassuring the client that the goods are top-quality and have been inspected by a third-party company such as AQM BD in accordance with COI requirements. After inspection, the certificate has to be sent to the buyer before delivering the shipment.
Why AQM BD?
AQM BD has a base in Baghdad which is situated close to COSQC to provide total support for customers and avoid any complications or delays with goods at the port. We offer fast, flexible, and reliable services for all of your COI needs. AQM BD has over 25 years of experience in quality assurance with more than 80 offices around the world. We are ready to be your quality service provider at every step of the process. We offer fast, flexible, and reliable services for all your inspection needs. Contact us today to learn more about our Iraq COI and COC services.
Related:
What is Iraq Certificate of Inspection and Why Do You Need It?
How to Apply for the Iraq Certificate of Inspection
Sources:
https://tradingeconomics.com/iraq/imports
https://tradingeconomics.com/iraq/exports
https://www.eoibaghdad.gov.in/eoi.php
