A farm‑to‑invoice guide to prove “wholly obtained” origin for Indonesian fresh vegetables under RCEP in 2026. What qualifies, the exact documents to keep, how to complete a Statement/Certificate of Origin, and how to handle transshipment via Singapore without losing preference.
If you export fresh Indonesian vegetables and want reliable RCEP duty preference in 2026, here’s the exact farm‑to‑invoice system we use. We’ve taken buyers from repeated preference denials to clean approvals within one harvest cycle by tightening three things: origin proof at the farm, traceability at the packhouse, and paperwork at the invoice.
The three pillars of fast, clean RCEP claims
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Wholly obtained clarity. For HS Chapter 07 vegetables, the simplest route is “WO” origin. If the crop is grown and harvested in Indonesia, it qualifies as wholly obtained. That’s true for our Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri) under 0707, Tomatoes under 0702, and Baby Romaine under 0705. You don’t need RVC or CTC calculations.
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Direct consignment discipline. Keep the shipment under customs control from Indonesia to the importing RCEP country. You can transship through hubs (including Singapore) without losing origin if you follow the rules. More on that below.
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Bulletproof documentation. Capture farm-to-packhouse-to-export records that match your RCEP Certificate of Origin or Statement on Origin, line by line. Consistency beats volume.
Practical takeaway: If you can’t explain, in three documents, where the crop was grown, when it was harvested, and how it reached the vessel, you’ll struggle in post‑clearance audits. Build your paper trail first, then ship.
Week 1–2: Groundwork at the farm (what “wholly obtained” really means)
Here’s the thing. Most preference denials we see aren’t because the goods fail WO. They’re because the proof is sloppy.
- Do imported seeds or fertilizers void “wholly obtained” status under RCEP? No. In our experience, customs in Japan, Korea, and China accept that vegetables are wholly obtained in Indonesia when they are grown and harvested here. Imported seeds, fertilizers, and crop chemicals do not disqualify WO. Keep purchase records anyway in case an auditor asks how the farm operates.
Origin documentation checklist at this stage:
- Farm profile: location, owner, GPS or cadastral reference, and crop plan.
- Planting and harvest records: plots, sowing dates, harvest dates, volumes.
- Inputs log: seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides with batch and supplier.
- Farm-to-packhouse transfer notes: vehicle, date/time, lot IDs.
Non‑obvious tip: Use a single lot code format from field to invoice. We tie the farm lot to the packhouse lot and then to the export carton label. One code, end to end.
Week 3–6: Packhouse traceability and choosing your origin document
Minimal operations RCEP reminder. Washing, trimming, grading, chilling, and packing are “minimal operations.” They do not create origin by themselves. That’s fine when you already qualify as WO. Just do them in Indonesia and document them.
What documents prove my vegetables are wholly obtained?
- Packhouse receiving log with farm lot IDs.
- Sorting and grading sheets linked to the same lot.
- Packing list with carton counts by grade and size.
- Cold chain log (0–4°C for sensitive lines like Red Radish and Baby Romaine).
- Phytosanitary certificate and health certificates as required by the destination.
- Bill of lading booking that matches the pack date.
RCEP Certificate of Origin vs Statement on Origin
- Certificate of Origin (CO): Issued via Indonesia’s e‑SKA system by the designated authority. Valid for 12 months.
- Statement on Origin (SoO): Made out by an “Approved Exporter” (AE). Also valid for 12 months and can cover multiple shipments of identical goods for up to 12 months.
How to apply for Approved Exporter in Indonesia (2026 snapshot)
- Apply through the Ministry of Trade channels attached to e‑SKA/INATRADE.
- Show SOPs for origin control, samples of invoices, internal audit procedures, and a clean compliance history.
- Once approved, you’ll receive an AE number you must place on the Statement on Origin. We recommend starting the AE process 4–6 weeks before peak season.
When to use which? If your buyer needs fast clearance or repeat weekly loads of identical items like Tomatoes, SoO by AE reduces friction. If you’re not AE yet, use the CO.
Week 7–12: Shipment execution, transshipment, and the invoice
Can I transship fresh vegetables through Singapore and still claim RCEP? Yes. Singapore is an RCEP Party. Keep the cargo under customs control and do no more than operations necessary to preserve condition or manage transport, such as unloading, reloading, splitting of consignments, and short‑term storage. Avoid washing, trimming, or repacking that changes the goods. To prove direct consignment:
- Use a through bill of lading from Indonesian port to the final RCEP destination with Singapore named as transshipment only.
- Keep Singapore FTZ/warehouse records showing the cargo stayed under customs control.
- Obtain a non‑manipulation certificate or equivalent statement from the Singapore operator or customs if the importer’s customs typically asks for it. China and Korea have increased such checks in the last 6–12 months.
Is simple washing, trimming, or packing enough to change origin under RCEP? No. These are on RCEP’s minimal operations list. They don’t confer origin. Do them in Indonesia before export to keep your WO claim clean.
How do I write the RCEP origin declaration on my invoice? Here’s a simple template for a Statement on Origin by an Approved Exporter for vegetables:
- Declaration text: “The exporter of the products covered by this document declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of Indonesian origin according to the Rules of Origin of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Origin criterion: WO. Country of origin: ID.”
- Required data elements typically include: exporter name and address, AE number, importer name (or ‘unknown’ if permissible), description of goods, HS code (6 digits, e.g., 0702.00 for tomatoes), origin criterion (WO), country of origin (ID), invoice number and date, and signature/name of authorized person with date.
- For repeat weekly shipments of identical goods, indicate the period covered, up to 12 months, if your buyer’s customs accepts it.
Need the latest wording accepted by your buyer’s customs? We can share the version we’re using for Japan, Korea, and China this season. If you want our editable templates, Contact us on whatsapp.
How long is an RCEP Certificate of Origin valid, and can it be issued retroactively?
- Validity: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Retroactive issuance: Allowed under RCEP when there are valid reasons, commonly within 12 months from shipment date. Some customs require a “retroactive” stamp or notation. In our experience, importers in Japan and Korea accept retroactive COs, but they may require a deposit or guarantee at entry until the CO arrives.
Can washing and packing be done outside Indonesia under RCEP? We don’t recommend it. Operations beyond preserving condition in a transshipment hub risk breaking the direct consignment requirement. If anything beyond splitting or re‑labelling is planned, speak with the importer’s customs broker first, or do it in Indonesia.
RCEP vs ASEAN‑China Form E for vegetables to China
Should I use RCEP or ASEAN‑China FTA for vegetables to China?
- Duty rates: For many HS 07 lines, China’s tariff under both ACFTA and RCEP is already 0%. Check the exact HS 8–10 digit for your item.
- Documents: ACFTA requires Form E from the issuing authority. RCEP lets you use an AE Statement on Origin, which can be faster for weekly shipments.
- Routing: If you need flexibility to transship via an RCEP Party outside ASEAN or rely on regional cumulation for any value‑added steps, RCEP can be cleaner. Our rule of thumb: If rates are the same, we use whatever the importer’s customs clears fastest in that port. For most of our vegetable programs into East China, that’s been RCEP this year.
Two non‑obvious checks that stop audits before they start
- Consistency of HS and product naming. Keep the commercial description aligned with the HS 6‑digit. For example, “Fresh tomatoes, round, 6–7 cm, Grade A, 10 kg cartons” sitting under HS 0702.00 on the invoice and origin document. Don’t switch to marketing names on one document. If you’re shipping Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri), write “Fresh cucumbers” plus the grade specs, not just “Kyuri.”
- Lot codes on cartons match the invoice line. We print the farm‑to‑packhouse lot on each carton for Tomatoes, Purple Eggplant, and Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili). Customs has started asking for photos in some ports during desk reviews. It’s a quick pass when the code visible on the carton equals the code on the packing list.
Five mistakes that kill RCEP preference for fresh vegetables
- Mixing farms without records. If you blend lots from different farms and lose the trail, your WO claim turns into a debate. Keep the mixing sheet.
- Using a different HS on the CO than on the commercial invoice. That mismatch triggers queries, especially in Japan and Korea.
- Transshipment without proof of customs control. Keep the Singapore FTZ in/out records and, if in doubt, get a non‑manipulation statement.
- Leaving out the AE number on the Statement on Origin. No AE number, no self‑certification.
- Over‑processing in transit. Washing or re‑packing in a hub can derail direct consignment. Do it in Indonesia.
Resources and next steps
If you need a practical model pack for HS 07 vegetables, we can share our farm profile form, receiving log, and SoO/CO checklists. Questions about your buyer’s port and which document flows faster there? Call us and we’ll walk through your lane specifics.
Want to see what we export now for WO under RCEP? View our products. For example, our Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri), Tomatoes, and Baby Romaine routinely ship under WO with clean acceptance.
Final takeaway: RCEP origin for Indonesian vegetables is won or lost long before cargo reaches the port. Lock down farm records, keep operations in Indonesia, prove direct consignment, and make your origin document mirror your invoice. Do those four, and preference becomes the easy part of the shipment.