CSMS Message: 03-001531

TO: ALL INTERESTED PARTIES

PURPOSE:
TO REMIND ALL FILERS TO USE REASONABLE CARE WHEN REPORTING THE
COUNTRY OF EXPORTATION.

ACTION:
PERSONNEL OF THE FOREIGN TRADE DIVISION AT THE U.S. CENSUS
BUREAU, AFTER BEING CONTACTED BY THEIR CANADIAN COUNTERPARTS HAVE
RAISED CONCERNS WITH CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION HQ PERSONNEL
CONCERNING THE INCORRECT REPORTING OF COUNTRY OF EXPORATION.
GENERAL STATISTICAL NOTE 1(B)(I) STATES "THE COUNTRY
OF EXPORTATION SHALL BE THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN EXCEPT WHEN THE
MERCHANDISE WHILE LOCATED IN A THIRD COUNTRY IS THE SUBJECT OF
A NEW PURCHASE.." CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE 099 3550-061 STATES THAT
"THE COUNTRY OF EXPORTATION IS THAT COUNTRY FROM WHICH THE
MERCHANDISE WAS SHIPPED TO THE UNITED STATES HAVING LAST BEEN
A PART OF THE COMMERCE OF THE COUNTRY AND WITHOUT CONTINGENCY
OF DIVERSION."

IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO QUESTION WHETHER THE COUNTRY OF
EXPORTATION IS IN FACT COUNTRY "A" WHENEVER THE COUNTRY OF
ORIGIN IS OTHER THAN COUNTRY "A". WE CAN ACCEPT AS A GIVEN
THAT IF THE MERCHANDISE WAS SIMPLY UNLOADED IN COUNTRY "A"
AND SUBSEQUENTLY EXPORTED TO THE U.S. THAT THE COUNTRY OF
EXPORTATION IS NOT IS NOT COUNTRY "A". IF YOU ARE UNSURE AS TO THE
PROPER OF EXPORTATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMODITY SPECIALIST TEAM
RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT MERCHANDISE.

QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO JOHN LEONARD, OFFICE OF FIELD
OPERATIONS AT 202-927-0915.