0:00Where is your product really from?
0:02For customs, that is not as simple as it sounds.
0:07Rules of origin decide which country a product counts as coming from.
0:12A product is wholly obtained if it is entirely grown,
0:16mined or manufactured in one country.
0:19It is substantially transformed if it was assembled or processed enough in one
0:25country to count as originating there,
0:28even if some components came from elsewhere.
0:31This matters because many trade agreements offer reduced or zero duty
0:37only for goods that originate in a partner country.
0:41The document that proves it is a certificate of origin,
0:45usually issued by a chamber of commerce or a government body in the exporting
0:50country.
0:52Ask your supplier early.
0:54Can they supply a certificate of origin?
0:57And does your product genuinely qualify for preferential treatment under any
1:02agreement your country has signed?
1:04A certificate is far harder to get after the goods have shipped.
1:09Ask about origin before you ship.