China

For customs, the country of origin is generally the country where the goods are produced, manufactured, or substantially transformed—not the country they were shipped from. A shipment routed through another country, stored in a foreign warehouse, or sold by a company in another country does not automatically change its origin. The exact origin analysis can depend on the product, its processing, and the applicable customs rules.

Origin matters because tariff measures and other import requirements may apply differently based on where the goods originate. For goods associated with China, check the measure’s scope and the product’s tariff classification (HTS code), because a measure may cover only specified products or classifications. Common errors include relying on the export country, treating simple assembly or repackaging as a new origin, using an incorrect HTS code, or failing to keep records supporting the origin conclusion.

What to check

• Confirm where each product was manufactured and identify all countries involved in production, processing, assembly, and substantial transformation.
• Review the applicable customs origin rules for the product and determine whether processing in another country changes the origin; do not assume that minor processing, repackaging, or relabeling does so.
• Verify the product’s HTS classification, because tariff measures may be limited to particular headings, subheadings, product descriptions, or exclusions.
• Collect and retain supporting records, such as supplier origin statements, bills of materials, production records, invoices, and manufacturing documents.
• Compare the documented origin and HTS classification with the official measure scope, and obtain a customs broker or ruling where the origin analysis is uncertain.