Certificate of Free Sale
Export documentation confirming a product is legally sold in its country of origin — often required by importing countries.
Overview
What Free Sale Certificate is and why it matters
A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) is an official document confirming that a product is legally manufactured and sold in its country of origin. Many importing countries require it, particularly where no mutual recognition agreement exists with the exporting country, as a condition of import registration.
Requirements
What you'll need
- Proof the product is legally marketed in the country of origin
- Product listing/registration in the country of origin (where applicable)
- Notarization or apostille legalization, depending on the destination country
- Typical validity period of 1–2 years
Typical timeline
1–2 months
One of the fastest documents in this database to obtain, assuming underlying domestic registration is already in place.
Estimated cost
$200–$2k
Low cost relative to other certifications — this is a documentation exercise, not a technical review.
Where this applies
Applicable countries
Related
Regulatory Pathways
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new CFS for every export shipment?+
No — a single valid CFS is typically reused across shipments and destination countries within its validity period, though some countries require it to be freshly notarized or legalized for their specific import process.
Reviewed launch planning
Ready to start your Free Sale Certificate project?
GHMAP structures your certification path, evidence gaps, and next actions — then connects you with a qualified consultant if you need one.
Professional review remains part of the workflow.