Origin · Decision tree

Country of origin determination wizard

Walk a decision tree to determine the right origin criterion for the certificate of origin. Covers wholly-obtained, change-in-tariff-classification, and regional-value-content rules under most FTAs.

Last updated 2026-05-09. Math runs in your browser, no data leaves your computer.

General guidance only, not legal or professional engineering advice. Verify against the cited primary sources (IMDG, REACH, ChAFTA, RCEP, Customs Tariff Act, supplier SDS, etc.) before committing to a shipment, declaration, or contract. Sourzi assumes no liability for outcomes based on these calculators.

Question

Loading...

Origin rules in chemical-trade context

For chemical exports out of China, almost every shipment qualifies as originating in China under at least one of the standard rules. Wholly obtained applies to mined or harvested raw materials (Chinese rock salt, Chinese phosphate ore). CTH or CTSH applies when chemical synthesis on Chinese soil changes the HS classification of the inputs. RVC40 applies as a fallback when CTC does not, since chemical synthesis adds significant value to inputs.

The hard cases are processed-but-not-transformed goods (re-bottling, simple repackaging, blending of identical streams). These rarely confer origin; the goods retain the origin of their dominant input. For example, importing 99.9% pure citric acid into China and packing it into 25 kg bags does not make the citric acid Chinese-origin; the original supplier country origin sticks. Customs at destination is alert to "transhipment laundering" patterns; misdeclaring origin to dodge anti-dumping duties or Section 301 tariffs is a customs fraud offence with serious penalties.

Frequently asked

What is "country of origin"?

The country where the goods are deemed to have been produced, for customs valuation and tariff purposes. Most jurisdictions follow either wholly obtained rules or substantial transformation rules to determine origin when production touches multiple countries.

Why does origin matter even without an FTA?

Customs at the destination uses origin to apply MFN tariff schedules, anti-dumping duties (often country-specific), trade remedies (e.g. US Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-origin goods), import quotas, and safeguard measures. Misdeclaring origin to dodge these is a customs fraud offence.

Related tools