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  • About
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Become a Member
    • Certificate of Free Sale
    • Certificate of Origin
    • BSE Statement
  • Trade Shows
    • Cosmoprof Hong Kong
    • Cosmoprof Bologna
    • Beautyworld Middle East
  • Buyer Meetings
    • Virtual
    • Southeast Asia
  • Resources
    • Brand Directory
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    • FAQs
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Certificate of Free Sale

Request a Certificate of Free Sale

Our Certificates of Free Sale are always dully authenticated by an Apostille from the Secretary of State, notarized and validated by the CTA.  A scanned copy is emailed upon completion of the document. Our Certificates can be issued for products and companies from all 50 states and territories. In addition, all certificates carry a unique holographic tracking number to allow foreign custom offices, clients, or yourself to verify authenticity.

Foreign governments require a "Certificate of Free Sale", sometimes referred to as a "Certificate of Export" or "Certificate to Foreign Governments" when companies import products.

The Certificate of Free Sale is evidence that goods, such as cosmetics, dietary supplements, infant formulas, foods (includes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbals), food additives, plant and dairy foods and beverages, are legally sold or distributed in the open market, freely without restriction, and approved by the regulatory authorities in the country of origin. I.e., United States.

Costs

Cost: $85 for non-members

$35 for members

Processing time: 5-7 business days

Expedited Service Available: 1-2 business days

Request a Certificate of Free Sale

Documentation Needed

Point of origin documents1) A written declaration from the manufacturer. 

A written declaration from your company if you are the manufacturer stating that the products are manufactured in the United States.

2) Copies of invoices showing the sale/distribution of each product to a U.S. customer.

The invoices should be dated within the last 12 months and the product names must be the same as how they will appear on the certificate. For example, if you sell lipstick to Whole Foods Market, a copy of a paid invoice to Whole Foods can be provided to us to fulfill this requirement.

3) A list of all SKU’s and product description in MS Excel or Word.

This list MUST match the items in your invoice.

4) Kuwait

Kuwait requires all documents to be Authenticated by the US Dept. of State and by the Kuwait Embassy before they are accepted. Therefore, these certificates need a $20 check from the requesting company for us to send along with the Free Sale Certificate for federal authentication.

Please make checks payable to the U.S. Department of State and send to our above address. This check must have your company name and printed address that matches the company and address on the certificate.

Due to the increased authorizations necessary a FSC for Kuwait costs $250 and is typically completed in 6-8 weeks.

5) Vietnam

Vietnam always requires an embassy authentication and particular format. These certificates are $250 and are typically completed in 2-3 weeks.

Countries that require special authentications:

Vietnam & Kuwait.

Payments

An invoice will be issued once we review your request with a pay by card option to pay online or you can mail a check to:

California Trade Alliance 2321 E. 4th Street, #C318, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Request a Certificate of Free Sale

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there expedited processing available? Expand

Yes, for an additional cost of $35 the FSC will be done within 2 business days.

Is there expedited shipping available? Expand

Yes, we offer FedEx 2Day for a cost of $45 and FedEx Priority Overnight for $90.

If my business has a FedEx account number can we provide that to be used to ship the document(s)? Expand

Yes, please provide the account number on the request form and we will use that to send the document.

What if I am exporting to multiple countries and need multiple certificates? Expand

Each country requires an individual certificate that is apostilled by the California Department of State and notarized.

What products can be covered by a CTA Certificate of Free Sale? Expand

Cosmetics, dietary supplements, infant formulas, foods (includes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbals), food additives, plant and dairy foods, and beverages.

How many SKU’s/Products can be listed in a Certificate of Free Sale? Expand

Each Certificate can include up to 50 SKU’s at no additional cost. Please note that if you have more than one product, we can list them all on one certificate (we will still need copies of invoices showing the sale of each product to U.S. customers).

Can I receive an electronic version of the FSC before it is mailed? Expand

Yes, we are happy to provide you with a scanned version of the original copy please request this in the comments section of the request form.

I need a certificate for Vietnam? Expand

Yes, we specialize in processing certificates and documents for Vietnam.  They always require an embassy authentication and particular format. These certificates are $250 and are typically completed in 2-3 weeks.

If there is information we did not cover above please reach us via our contact page.

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