What is the Iraq Certificate of Conformity?

The Iraq COC is a pre-export certificate, issued under COSQC's conformity assessment programme (which certifiers refer to as ICIGI), showing that a consignment of regulated goods meets the applicable Iraqi requirements. According to Applus+, one of the appointed bodies, the certificate is issued for regulated goods prior to export after a conformity assessment and, where needed, inspection and testing at origin. At the Iraqi border the certificate, the seals and the shipment are verified, and consignments that match the certified data receive a release document.

Which goods need a COC?

Goods on COSQC's regulated-product list need a COC, while goods that are not listed may need a Certificate of Inspection (COI) instead, as HQTS explains. The list changes: TÜV Rheinland announced an update to the standards list that applied from 17 June 2025 (The National). Certifiers' published lead times mention electronics, toys and radio equipment among regulated goods, but the only reliable test is to check each HS code in your order against the current list with the inspection body.

Who applies for the COC, and who pays?

Usually the exporter applies, because the inspection takes place in the country of export, but the importer carries the risk if the certificate is missing, so the sales contract should say who applies, who pays and by when. A typical request for certification includes:

• the commercial or proforma invoice;
• the packing list;
• the HS codes of the goods;
• test reports where applicable, usually from an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

Fees depend on the inspection body, the number of product lines and whether testing is needed. Ask for a written quote and include it in your landed-cost calculation.

How does the COC process work, step by step?

The COC process has six steps, from checking whether your goods are in scope to verification at the Iraqi border.

When the inspection finds that goods do not conform, a non-conformity report (NCR) is raised and the goods must be corrected or the scope changed before a certificate can be issued.

How long does a COC take?

Plan for several weeks. One China-based forwarder publishes lead times of about 2–4 weeks for electronics and toys and 3–6 weeks for radio equipment, and advises obtaining the certificate before the goods leave China. These are indicative vendor figures; your real lead time depends on testing, inspection booking and how quickly document errors are corrected.

What happens if goods arrive without a valid COC?

Expect the shipment to be held: certifiers warn of clearance delays, penalties and possible return of the shipment, and while the problem is solved the container accumulates storage and demurrage. Do not plan on fixing a missing COC after arrival. Standards enforcement is real at land borders too: Shafaq News reported 3,550 tonnes of imports rejected or destroyed at the Ibrahim Khalil crossing with Türkiye in the first four months of 2026 for breaching standards.

Is the Kurdistan Region different?

Partly: the Kurdistan Region runs additional conformity monitoring for some goods, including vehicles and machinery, and since 1 June 2026 has required ASYCUDA pre-declaration at Ibrahim Khalil. If your cargo enters through the north, check both the federal COC requirement and any regional requirement before shipping.

Which documents must match the COC?

The product descriptions, quantities and HS codes on the COC must match the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading, because Iraqi customs cross-checks them in ASYCUDA.

Since 10 July 2026 the certificate of origin and the commercial invoice must also be electronically verified before the declaration is processed (Deloitte), so correcting either one after the COC is issued means repeating checks on both sides. Freeze the product list before the inspection and, if anything changes afterwards, tell the inspection body before the goods are loaded.

How do you avoid COC delays?

Most COC delays come from starting late or from documents that do not match, and this checklist prevents most of them:

1. Check every HS code against the current regulated list before you place the order.
2. Write into the purchase contract who applies for the COC, who pays and the deadline.
3. Choose an inspection body and confirm its current COSQC appointment; certifiers do not always agree on which bodies are authorised.
4. Collect test reports early, preferably from ISO 17025 accredited laboratories.
5. Book the inspection before production finishes, and make sure goods, markings and packing match the documents.
6. Keep the COC, invoice, packing list and certificate of origin consistent, because ASYCUDA cross-checks the data; see Iraq customs in 2026.
7. Book the vessel only when the certificate is issued or firmly scheduled; see shipping from China to Iraq for routes that let goods wait without duty.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules and rates change; confirm the requirements for your shipment with your coordinator or the relevant authority.