| Title: | Free Trade Agreements Certification of Origin and the Preference Criterion |
|---|---|
| Date: | 2013-11-19 |
| To: | abi,acep |
| Links: | previous, original, next |
For importations into the United States under a free trade agreement (FTA), when a producer, exporter or importer issues an FTA certification of origin (a.k.a. Implementation Instructions, Attachment A), the “Preference Criterion” field should indicate how the good originates (meets the terms of the agreement) with the greatest specificity possible .
EXAMPLE
For example, with respect to an importation of lead sheet under the Peru TPA classified in HTSUS 7804.11.00, the “Preference Criterion” field of the certification of origin* should indicate how the good originates, as follows:
• If the good is wholly obtained:
HTSUS General Note 32(b)(i) or alternatively, Peru TPA Article 4.1(1)(a)
• If the good is produced entirely in Peru and all non-originating materials undergo the required tariff shift (and/or regional value content) specified in the corresponding specific rule of origin:
HTSUS General Note 32(n)78.2** or alternatively, Peru TPA Annex 4.1, Chapter 78, Item 2
• If the good is produced entirely in a Peru exclusively from originating materials:
HTSUS General Note 32(b)(iii) or Peru TPA Article 4.1(1)(c)
This methodology should be used for all “tariff-shift” FTAs*** unless the Agreement, Regulations, or other officially published material provides for an alternate method. (e.g. The NAFTA provides for criterion “A,” “B and “C”.)
If no rule of origin is met, FTA preference cannot be claimed.
* The Peru TPA certification of origin is available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/free_trade/peru/a.ctt/a.pdf and the certifications of origin for our other FTAs are available on www.cbp.gov by searching the country name and selecting the corresponding SmartLink.
** The General Note citation is preferable for ease of use and because it is periodically modified to incorporate World Customs Organization updates to the Harmonized System nomenclature.
*** The FTAs that employ a tariff-shift methodology to confer origination are: NAFTA, Chile FTA, Singapore FTA, Australia FTA, CAFTA-DR, Peru TPA, Colombia TPA, and Panama TPA.
Questions may be directed to fta@dhs.gov.
CSMS #13-000586