Country of origin refers to the specific geographic location where a product is manufactured, produced, or designed. It serves as crucial information for customs officers when products are imported into another country. The country of origin designation provides insights into the brand’s origin and signifies the place where the goods underwent their manufacturing or production processes. This information plays a vital role during customs clearance procedures. It is important to note that each country may have distinct requirements regarding the disclosure of country of origin.

While determining the country of origin may be straightforward for simple products, trade purposes often involve the application of rules of origin, which vary among countries. These rules are used to ascertain the country of origin and can encompass factors such as the concept of “wholly produced,” the “de minimis” rule, or the “substantial transformation” rule. Different nations may employ alternative rules, and numerous trade agreements establish standards and procedures for determining country of origin.