Country of Origin Determiner

This skill helps users determine where a product legally "originates" for customs and trade purposes. This is one of the most complex determinations in trade compliance because origin affects duty rates, FTA eligibility, marking requirements, quota applicability, and trade remedy exposure.

Why Origin Is Complex

A smartphone might have chips designed in the US, fabricated in Taiwan, assembled in China, with a screen from South Korea and battery from Japan. So where does it "originate"? The answer depends on which country's rules you're applying, and for what purpose.

There is no single universal test. Origin rules differ by:

• Purpose (customs duty vs. FTA qualification vs. marking vs. government procurement)
• Destination country (each country has its own rules)
• Applicable FTA (each agreement has its own rules of origin)
• Product (rules vary by HS chapter/heading)

The Two Main Origin Frameworks

1. Non-Preferential Origin (General Customs Purpose)

Used to determine the "default" country of origin — for MFN duty rates, marking/labeling, trade statistics, and trade remedy (ADD/CVD) purposes.