Country of Origin
The country where a product was substantially manufactured or transformed — not necessarily where it was shipped from. It determines which tariffs and trade agreements apply.
Country of origin is not where a product was shipped from — it is where the product was made or last substantially transformed. Origin determines whether anti-dumping duties apply, whether Section 301 China tariffs kick in, whether free-trade preferential rates can be claimed, and what labelling must appear on consumer goods.
Two legal tests are used: wholly obtained (for raw materials and products made from a single country's inputs) and substantial transformation (the product changed identity, function, or tariff heading as a result of processing). FTAs use specific product-by-product rules — see rules of origin.
Also searched: country of origin tariffs · how to determine country of origin · how is country of origin determined
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