Correct determination of origin of goods is becoming increasingly important given the current trend towards preferential trade. The “spaghetti bowl” effect of free trade agreements (“FTAs”) means that businesses have to deal with different rules of origin under different FTAs for each of their products. Although FTA tariff concessions are designed to reduce import duties, businesses must be careful in ensuring that the corresponding rules of origin are satisfied.

Bryan Cave International Trade assists clients in determining the origin of their goods to ensure that it is correctly and properly identified according to the requirement of the governing rules of origin. This does not only allow clients to capitalize on appropriate duty concessions but also prevent unnecessary costs from being penalized for non-compliance. We also advise clients on establishing internal control procedures to ensure continued validity of the goods’ origin which may depend on a number of erratic factors affecting the value of materials and goods, such as exchange rate and freight and transportation costs.