What does issued retrospectively mean on a GSP Form A certificate of origin?

GSP Form A certificate of origin should be issued on or before date of shipment stated on the transport document. 

If it is issued a later date than the date of shipment, then Form A certificate should bear " issued retrospectively" stamp. 

On my previous articles, I have explained some important points in regards to certificates of origin. 

If you have not read my past posts and you need further information regarding certificates of origin, I recommend you to read my following articles:

• Who should issue certificates of origin?
• What are the differences between certificate of origin and GSP Certificate of Origin Form A?
• When to use GSP certificate of origin: Form A?

Today I want to clarify the meaning of issued retrospectively term on a GSP Form A certificate of origin.

What are the differences between certificate of origin and GSP Certificate of Origin Form A?

Certificate of origin is a generic name of an international shipping document, which is used to identify the origin of goods that is subject to foreign trade business. 

There are various types of certificates of origin in circulation. The most frequently used one is known as ordinary certificate of origin or simply "certificate of origin".

GSP Certificate of Origin Form A is a special type of certificate of origin, that can be grouped under "preferential certificates of origin".

Today on this article I would like to mention the differences between ordinary certificates of origin and GSP certificate of origin Form A.

When to use GSP certificate of origin: Form A?

GSP is the short form of Generalized System of Preferences also known as GSP schemes.

Generalized System of Preferences is a preferential tariff system granted by bunch of developed countries to developing or least developed countries.

Under Generalized System of Preferences schemes less developed countries or developing countries would benefit from reduced or zero tariff rates when exporting permitted products to GSP donor countries.

Today I would like to explain the fundamentals Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), who could get benefited from GSP incentives and how to get benefited from reduced GSP tariffs.

Who should issue certificates of origin?

Origin of the imported goods have strong effect on import custom duties, as almost every country in the world considers the origin of goods when determining applicable import duties.

While there are various types of origin of goods approval methods in international trade, origin declarations, ordinary certificates of origin and preferential certificates of origin are considered to be the most used ones.

• Origin declarations are the simplest form of origin of goods approval methods. Exporters simply insert a standard origin declaration text to any of the commercial documents, that is all. 
• Ordinary certificates of origin is one of the most common way to identify and certify the origin of goods in international trade transactions.
• Some countries have preferential tariff agreements. If imported goods have been originated in a preferential country, then it would be possible to apply for a discounted import tariff rates during import stage.

One of the core conditions to be able to get benefited from a preferential tariff rate would be evidencing the origin of the goods in an acceptable format to the customs authorities.

Today I would like to write about the issuing bodies of the certificates of origin on this article.

Could net weight and gross weight be the same on the packing list?

Net weight and gross weight are two important international trade terms, which are frequently used on bills of lading and packing lists.

Generally gross weight and net weight are showing different values on the packing list.

But in some instances exporters state the same value to both net and gross weight on the packing lists.

Today I will try to explain whether gross weight and net weight could state the same figure on the packing list.