Chengli Export Tips: VOC and COC Certification: Oct 8, 2016
Date：2026-10-28
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1. What are VOC/COC certifications? What is the difference?
COC stands for Certificate of Conformity
VOC stands for Verification of Conformity
COC and VOC refer to the same certificate; only the name differs.
COC certification applies to countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Iran, Kuwait, Egypt, Kenya, Algeria, Tanzania, Lebanon, Uganda, Botswana and Ethiopia.
VOC certification is mainly for Iran, issued by third parties authorized by the Iranian government, such as BV and SGS.
2. Can COC be applied for after the goods have been shipped?
COC must be applied for before shipment; it cannot be reprocessed once the goods have left.
3. What documents are required to apply for COC?
1) Detailed product names in Chinese and English, customs HS code, etc.;
2) Product photos, including images of product labels/shipping marks (if any);
3) Application form (RFC), signed and stamped scan; if there is a trademark, indicate BRAND NAME after the product description on the application and provide a scanned trademark registration certificate; if there is no trademark, add “NO BRAND” at the end of the product description;
4) Product quality documents, such as a product quality Test Report or certificate of conformity.
5) Copies of valid business licenses of the applicant company, exporter and manufacturer;
6) Proforma/commercial invoice (the invoice must show the FOB amount);
7) Packing list.
Process: The applicant submits the above documents; SGS reviews the files. After approval, SGS provides the main inspection requirements; after payment, an inspection date is scheduled with SGS. The exporter prepares the goods as required, and SGS inspectors visit the cargo site for inspection. Once passed, SGS issues the original COC certificate based on final documents such as the Final/Commercial Invoice submitted by the customer; the original is issued directly by the SGS Kenya office to the importer CLOSE.
4. What is the validity period of a COC certificate?
COC is a batch certificate, valid only for the current batch of goods.
The inspection report is valid for 90 days; after expiry, a re-inspection must be arranged.
COC stands for Certificate of Conformity
VOC stands for Verification of Conformity
COC and VOC refer to the same certificate; only the name differs.
COC certification applies to countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Iran, Kuwait, Egypt, Kenya, Algeria, Tanzania, Lebanon, Uganda, Botswana and Ethiopia.
VOC certification is mainly for Iran, issued by third parties authorized by the Iranian government, such as BV and SGS.
COC must be applied for before shipment; it cannot be reprocessed once the goods have left.
3. What documents are required to apply for COC?
1) Detailed product names in Chinese and English, customs HS code, etc.;
2) Product photos, including images of product labels/shipping marks (if any);
3) Application form (RFC), signed and stamped scan; if there is a trademark, indicate BRAND NAME after the product description on the application and provide a scanned trademark registration certificate; if there is no trademark, add “NO BRAND” at the end of the product description;
4) Product quality documents, such as a product quality Test Report or certificate of conformity.
5) Copies of valid business licenses of the applicant company, exporter and manufacturer;
6) Proforma/commercial invoice (the invoice must show the FOB amount);
7) Packing list.
Process: The applicant submits the above documents; SGS reviews the files. After approval, SGS provides the main inspection requirements; after payment, an inspection date is scheduled with SGS. The exporter prepares the goods as required, and SGS inspectors visit the cargo site for inspection. Once passed, SGS issues the original COC certificate based on final documents such as the Final/Commercial Invoice submitted by the customer; the original is issued directly by the SGS Kenya office to the importer CLOSE.
4. What is the validity period of a COC certificate?
COC is a batch certificate, valid only for the current batch of goods.
The inspection report is valid for 90 days; after expiry, a re-inspection must be arranged.
