MW

For customs, the country of origin is generally where a product is grown, produced, or manufactured—not the country it was shipped from, exported through, or purchased from. If goods are made in more than one country, origin often depends on the applicable rule of origin, including whether the last processing caused a "substantial transformation." The correct test can vary by product and by the trade measure being reviewed.

Origin matters because tariff measures are commonly applied based on the goods’ origin, classification, and entry circumstances. For tracking purposes, “MW” may be a country-of-origin code used in the tariff data; confirm that the code’s official description matches the origin country or territory you intend to review. Common pitfalls include treating the shipping country as origin, overlooking processing in another country, relying on a supplier’s unsupported statement, or assuming one origin rule applies to every tariff measure.

What to check

• Confirm what “MW” means in the official tariff or government data before using it as a country filter.
• Determine origin under the rule applicable to the product and measure; do not use the export or transit country automatically.
• Review the product’s manufacturing steps, bills of materials, and locations of processing to assess whether a substantial transformation occurred.
• Collect and retain supplier origin statements, production records, commercial invoices, and other supporting documents.
• Compare the origin conclusion with the product’s tariff classification and check with a customs broker or qualified trade professional when the facts are complex.