China Launches E-Apostille Pilot for Certificates of Origin
China on June 18 began issuing electronic “apostilles” for certificates of origin as part of a pilot program aimed at eliminating paper applications, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a regular press conference. The apostilles will certify the authenticity of certificates of origin issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and applications will “no longer need to go through any off-line procedures at consular authentication agencies,” the spokesperson said.
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“What’s more, the electronic Apostille supports online verification, thus enabling the applicants and agencies using the documents to enjoy better and more efficient service of cross-border document circulation,” they said. “This measure will save Chinese and foreign nationals and businesses significant amounts of time and cost and offer tangible convenience.” China also published a sample e-apostille.
Beijing plans to “gradually” expand the pilot to cover other “types of public documents issued in China.”