19 USC 4033 - Rules of origin

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 4033.

Rules of origin

(a)

Application and interpretation

In this section:

(1)

Tariff classification

(2)

Reference to HTS

(3)

Cost or value

(b)

Originating goods

For purposes of this chapter and for purposes of implementing the preferential tariff treatment provided for under the Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this section, a good is an originating good if—

(1)

the good is a good wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries;

(2)

the good—

(A)

is produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries, and—

(i)

each of the nonoriginating materials used in the production of the good undergoes an applicable change in tariff classification specified in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement; or

(ii)

the good otherwise satisfies any applicable regional value-content or other requirements specified in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement; and

(B)

satisfies all other applicable requirements of this section; or

(3)

the good is produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries, exclusively from materials described in paragraph (1) or (2).

(c)

Regional value-content

(1)

In general

(2)

Build-down method

(A)

In general

(B)

Definitions

In subparagraph (A):

(i)

RVC

(ii)

(iii)

VNM

(3)

Build-up method

(A)

In general

(B)

Definitions

In subparagraph (A):

(i)

RVC

(ii)

(iii)

VOM

(4)

Special rule for certain automotive goods

(A)

In general

(B)

Definitions

In subparagraph (A):

(i)

Automotive good

(ii)

RVC

(iii)

(iv)

VNM

(C)

Motor vehicles

(i)

Basis of calculation

For purposes of determining the regional value-content under subparagraph (A) for an automotive good that is a motor vehicle provided for in any of headings 8701 through 8705, an importer, exporter, or producer may average the amounts calculated under the formula contained in subparagraph (A), over the producer’s fiscal year—

(I)

with respect to all motor vehicles in any 1 of the categories described in clause (ii); or

(II)

with respect to all motor vehicles in any such category that are exported to the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries.

(ii)

Categories

A category is described in this clause if it—

(I)

is the same model line of motor vehicles, is in the same class of vehicles, and is produced in the same plant in the territory of a CAFTA–DR country, as the good described in clause (i) for which regional value-content is being calculated;

(II)

is the same class of motor vehicles, and is produced in the same plant in the territory of a CAFTA–DR country, as the good described in clause (i) for which regional value-content is being calculated; or

(III)

is the same model line of motor vehicles produced in the territory of a CAFTA–DR country as the good described in clause (i) for which regional value-content is being calculated.

(D)

Other automotive goods

For purposes of determining the regional value-content under subparagraph (A) for automotive goods provided for in any of subheadings 8407.31 through 8407.34, in subheading 8408.20, or in heading 8409, 8706, 8707, or 8708, that are produced in the same plant, an importer, exporter, or producer may—

(i)

average the amounts calculated under the formula contained in subparagraph (A) over—

(I)

the fiscal year of the motor vehicle producer to whom the automotive goods are sold,

(II)

any quarter or month, or

(III)

its own fiscal year,

if the goods were produced during the fiscal year, quarter, or month that is the basis for the calculation;

(ii)

determine the average referred to in clause (i) separately for such goods sold to 1 or more motor vehicle producers; or

(iii)

make a separate determination under clause (i) or (ii) for automotive goods that are exported to the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries.

(E)

Calculating net cost

The importer, exporter, or producer shall, consistent with the provisions regarding allocation of costs set out in generally accepted accounting principles, determine the net cost of an automotive good under subparagraph (B) by—

(i)

calculating the total cost incurred with respect to all goods produced by the producer of the automotive good, subtracting any sales promotion, marketing and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, and nonallowable interest costs that are included in the total cost of all such goods, and then reasonably allocating the resulting net cost of those goods to the automotive good;

(ii)

calculating the total cost incurred with respect to all goods produced by that producer, reasonably allocating the total cost to the automotive good, and then subtracting any sales promotion, marketing and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, and nonallowable interest costs that are included in the portion of the total cost allocated to the automotive good; or

(iii)

reasonably allocating each cost that forms part of the total cost incurred with respect to the automotive good so that the aggregate of all such costs does not include any sales promotion, marketing and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, or nonallowable interest costs.

(d)

Value of materials

(1)

In general

For the purpose of calculating the regional value-content of a good under subsection (c), and for purposes of applying the de minimis rules under subsection (f), the value of a material is—

(A)

in the case of a material that is imported by the producer of the good, the adjusted value of the material;

(B)

in the case of a material acquired in the territory in which the good is produced, the value, determined in accordance with Articles 1 through 8, Article 15, and the corresponding interpretive notes of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 referred to in section 3511(d)(8) of this title, as set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury providing for the application of such Articles in the absence of an importation; or

(C)

in the case of a material that is self-produced, the sum of—

(i)

all expenses incurred in the production of the material, including general expenses; and

(ii)

an amount for profit equivalent to the profit added in the normal course of trade.

(2)

Further adjustments to the value of materials

(A)

Originating material

The following expenses, if not included in the value of an originating material calculated under paragraph (1), may be added to the value of the originating material:

(i)

The costs of freight, insurance, packing, and all other costs incurred in transporting the material within or between the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries to the location of the producer.

(ii)

Duties, taxes, and customs brokerage fees on the material paid in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries, other than duties or taxes that are waived, refunded, refundable, or otherwise recoverable, including credit against duty or tax paid or payable.

(iii)

The cost of waste and spoilage resulting from the use of the material in the production of the good, less the value of renewable scrap or byproducts.

(B)

Nonoriginating material

The following expenses, if included in the value of a nonoriginating material calculated under paragraph (1), may be deducted from the value of the nonoriginating material:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

The cost of waste and spoilage resulting from the use of the material in the production of the good, less the value of renewable scrap or byproducts.

(iv)

The cost of originating materials used in the production of the nonoriginating material in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries.

(e)

Accumulation

(1)

Originating materials used in production of goods of another country

(2)

Multiple procedures

(f)

De minimis amounts of nonoriginating materials

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), a good that does not undergo a change in tariff classification pursuant to Annex 4.1 of the Agreement is an originating good if—

(A)

the value of all nonoriginating materials that—

(i)

are used in the production of the good, and

(ii)

do not undergo the applicable change in tariff classification (set out in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement),

does not exceed 10 percent of the adjusted value of the good;

(B)

the good meets all other applicable requirements of this section; and

(C)

the value of such nonoriginating materials is included in the value of nonoriginating materials for any applicable regional value-content requirement for the good.

(2)

Exceptions

Paragraph (1) does not apply to the following:

(A)

A nonoriginating material provided for in chapter 4, or a nonoriginating dairy preparation containing over 10 percent by weight of milk solids provided for in subheading 1901.90 or 2106.90, that is used in the production of a good provided for in chapter 4.

(B)

A nonoriginating material provided for in chapter 4, or a nonoriginating dairy preparation containing over 10 percent by weight of milk solids provided for in subheading 1901.90, that is used in the production of the following goods:

(i)

Infant preparations containing over 10 percent by weight of milk solids provided for in subheading 1901.10.

(ii)

Mixes and doughs, containing over 25 percent by weight of butterfat, not put up for retail sale, provided for in subheading 1901.20.

(iii)

Dairy preparations containing over 10 percent by weight of milk solids provided for in subheading 1901.90 or 2106.90.

(iv)

Goods provided for in heading 2105.

(v)

Beverages containing milk provided for in subheading 2202.90.

(vi)

Animal feeds containing over 10 percent by weight of milk solids provided for in subheading 2309.90.

(C)

A nonoriginating material provided for in heading 0805, or any of subheadings 2009.11 through 2009.39, that is used in the production of a good provided for in any of subheadings 2009.11 through 2009.39, or in fruit or vegetable juice of any single fruit or vegetable, fortified with minerals or vitamins, concentrated or unconcentrated, provided for in subheading 2106.90 or 2202.90.

(D)

A nonoriginating material provided for in heading 0901 or 2101 that is used in the production of a good provided for in heading 0901 or 2101.

(E)

A nonoriginating material provided for in heading 1006 that is used in the production of a good provided for in heading 1102 or 1103 or subheading 1904.90.

(F)

A nonoriginating material provided for in chapter 15 that is used in the production of a good provided for in chapter 15.

(G)

A nonoriginating material provided for in heading 1701 that is used in the production of a good provided for in any of headings 1701 through 1703.

(H)

A nonoriginating material provided for in chapter 17 that is used in the production of a good provided for in subheading 1806.10.

(I)

Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) through (H) and Annex 4.1 of the Agreement, a nonoriginating material used in the production of a good provided for in any of chapters 1 through 24, unless the nonoriginating material is provided for in a different subheading than the good for which origin is being determined under this section.

(3)

Textile or apparel goods

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a textile or apparel good that is not an originating good because certain fibers or yarns used in the production of the component of the good that determines the tariff classification of the good do not undergo an applicable change in tariff classification, set out in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement, shall be considered to be an originating good if—

(i)

the total weight of all such fibers or yarns in that component is not more than 10 percent of the total weight of that component; or

(ii)

the yarns are those described in section 3203(b)(3)(B)(vi)(IV) of this title (as in effect on August 2, 2005).

(B)

Certain textile or apparel goods

(C)

Yarn, fabric, or fiber

(g)

Fungible goods and materials

(1)

In general

(A)

Claim for preferential tariff treatment

(B)

Inventory management method

In this subsection, the term “inventory management method” means—

(i)

averaging;

(ii)

“last-in, first-out”;

(iii)

“first-in, first-out”; or

(iv)

any other method—

(I)

recognized in the generally accepted accounting principles of the CAFTA–DR country in which the production is performed; or

(II)

otherwise accepted by that country.

(2)

Election of inventory method

(h)

Accessories, spare parts, or tools

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), accessories, spare parts, or tools delivered with a good that form part of the good’s standard accessories, spare parts, or tools shall—

(A)

be treated as originating goods if the good is an originating good; and

(B)

be disregarded in determining whether all the nonoriginating materials used in the production of the good undergo the applicable change in tariff classification set out in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement.

(2)

Conditions

Paragraph (1) shall apply only if—

(A)

the accessories, spare parts, or tools are classified with and not invoiced separately from the good, regardless of whether they appear specified or separately identified in the invoice for the good; and

(B)

the quantities and value of the accessories, spare parts, or tools are customary for the good.

(3)

Regional value-content

(i)

Packaging materials and containers for retail sale

(j)

Packing materials and containers for shipment

(k)

Indirect materials

(l)

Transit and transhipment

A good that has undergone production necessary to qualify as an originating good under subsection (b) shall not be considered to be an originating good if, subsequent to that production, the good—

(1)

undergoes further production or any other operation outside the territories of the CAFTA–DR countries, other than unloading, reloading, or any other operation necessary to preserve the good in good condition or to transport the good to the territory of a CAFTA–DR country; or

(2)

does not remain under the control of customs authorities in the territory of a country other than a CAFTA–DR country.

(m)

Goods classifiable as goods put up in sets

Notwithstanding the rules set forth in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement, goods classifiable as goods put up in sets for retail sale as provided for in General Rule of Interpretation 3 of the HTS shall not be considered to be originating goods unless—

(1)

each of the goods in the set is an originating good; or

(2)

the total value of the nonoriginating goods in the set does not exceed—

(A)

in the case of textile or apparel goods, 10 percent of the adjusted value of the set; or

(B)

in the case of a good, other than a textile or apparel good, 15 percent of the adjusted value of the set.

(n)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Adjusted value

(2)

CAFTA–DR country

The term “CAFTA–DR country” means—

(A)

the United States; and

(B)

Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua, for such time as the Agreement is in force between the United States and that country.

(3)

Class of motor vehicles

The term “class of motor vehicles” means any one of the following categories of motor vehicles:

(A)

Motor vehicles provided for in subheading 8701.20, 8704.10, 8704.22, 8704.23, 8704.32, or 8704.90, or heading 8705 or 8706, or motor vehicles for the transport of 16 or more persons provided for in subheading 8702.10 or 8702.90.

(B)

Motor vehicles provided for in subheading 8701.10 or any of subheadings 8701.30 through 8701.90.

(C)

Motor vehicles for the transport of 15 or fewer persons provided for in subheading 8702.10 or 8702.90, or motor vehicles provided for in subheading 8704.21 or 8704.31.

(D)

Motor vehicles provided for in any of subheadings 8703.21 through 8703.90.

(4)

Fungible good or fungible material

(5)

Generally accepted accounting principles

(6)

Goods wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries

The term “goods wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries” means—

(A)

plants and plant products harvested or gathered in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries;

(B)

live animals born and raised in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries;

(C)

goods obtained in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries from live animals;

(D)

goods obtained from hunting, trapping, fishing or aquaculture conducted in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries;

(E)

minerals and other natural resources not included in subparagraphs (A) through (D) that are extracted or taken in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries;

(F)

fish, shellfish, and other marine life taken from the sea, seabed, or subsoil outside the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries by vessels registered or recorded with a CAFTA–DR country and flying the flag of that country;

(G)

goods produced on board factory ships from the goods referred to in subparagraph (F), if such factory ships are registered or recorded with that CAFTA–DR country and fly the flag of that country;

(H)

goods taken by a CAFTA–DR country or a person of a CAFTA–DR country from the seabed or subsoil outside territorial waters, if a CAFTA–DR country has rights to exploit such seabed or subsoil;

(I)

goods taken from outer space, if the goods are obtained by a CAFTA–DR country or a person of a CAFTA–DR country and not processed in the territory of a country other than a CAFTA–DR country;

(J)

waste and scrap derived from—

(i)

manufacturing or processing operations in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries; or

(ii)

used goods collected in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries, if such goods are fit only for the recovery of raw materials;

(K)

recovered goods derived in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries from used goods, and used in the territory of a CAFTA–DR country in the production of remanufactured goods; and

(L)

goods produced in the territory of one or more of the CAFTA–DR countries exclusively from—

(i)

goods referred to in any of subparagraphs (A) through (J), or

(ii)

the derivatives of goods referred to in clause (i),

at any stage of production.

(7)

Identical goods

(8)

Indirect material

The term “indirect material” means a good used in the production, testing, or inspection of a good but not physically incorporated into the good, or a good used in the maintenance of buildings or the operation of equipment associated with the production of a good, including—

(A)

fuel and energy;

(B)

tools, dies, and molds;

(C)

spare parts and materials used in the maintenance of equipment or buildings;

(D)

lubricants, greases, compounding materials, and other materials used in production or used to operate equipment or buildings;

(E)

gloves, glasses, footwear, clothing, safety equipment, and supplies;

(F)

equipment, devices, and supplies used for testing or inspecting the good;

(G)

catalysts and solvents; and

(H)

any other goods that are not incorporated into the good but the use of which in the production of the good can reasonably be demonstrated to be a part of that production.

(9)

Material

(10)

Material that is self-produced

(11)

Model line

(12)

Net cost

(13)

Nonallowable interest costs

(14)

Nonoriginating good or nonoriginating material

(15)

Packing materials and containers for shipment

(16)

Preferential tariff treatment

(17)

Producer

(18)

Production

(19)

Reasonably allocate

(20)

Recovered goods

The term “recovered goods” means materials in the form of individual parts that are the result of—

(A)

the disassembly of used goods into individual parts; and

(B)

the cleaning, inspecting, testing, or other processing that is necessary for improvement to sound working condition of such individual parts.

(21)

Remanufactured good

The term “remanufactured good” means a good that is classified under chapter 84, 85, or 87, or heading 9026, 9031, or 9032, other than a good classified under heading 8418 or 8516, and that—

(A)

is entirely or partially comprised of recovered goods; and

(B)

has a similar life expectancy and enjoys a factory warranty similar to such a new good.

(22)

Total cost

(23)

Used

(o)

Presidential proclamation authority

(1)

In general

The President is authorized to proclaim, as part of the HTS—

(A)

the provisions set out in Annex 4.1 of the Agreement; and

(B)

any additional subordinate category necessary to carry out this subchapter consistent with the Agreement.

(2)

Fabrics and yarns not available in commercial quantities in the United States

(3)

Modifications

(A)

In general

(B)

Additional proclamations

(4)

Fabrics, yarns, or fibers not available in commercial quantities in the CAFTA–DR countries

(A)

In general

(B)

Definitions

In this paragraph:

(i)

The term “interested entity” means the government of a CAFTA–DR country other than the United States, a potential or actual purchaser of a textile or apparel good, or a potential or actual supplier of a textile or apparel good.

(ii)

All references to “day” and “days” exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

(C)

Requests to add fabrics, yarns, or fibers

(i)

An interested entity may request the President to determine that a fabric, yarn, or fiber is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA–DR countries and to add that fabric, yarn, or fiber to the list in Annex 3.25 of the Agreement in a restricted or unrestricted quantity.

(ii)

After receiving a request under clause (i), the President may determine whether—

(I)

the fabric, yarn, or fiber is available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA–DR countries; or

(II)

any interested entity objects to the request.

(iii)

The President may, within the time periods specified in clause (iv), proclaim that a fabric, yarn, or fiber that is the subject of a request submitted under clause (i) is added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the Agreement in an unrestricted quantity, or in any restricted quantity that the President may establish, if the President determines under clause (ii) that—

(I)

the fabric, yarn, or fiber is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA–DR countries; or

(II)

no interested entity has objected to the request.

(iv)

The time periods within which the President may issue a proclamation under clause (iii) are—

(I)

not later than 30 days after the date on which the request is submitted under clause (i); or

(II)

not later than 44 days after the request is submitted, if the President determines, within 30 days after the date on which the request is submitted, that the President does not have sufficient information to make a determination under clause (ii).

(v)

Notwithstanding section 4013(a)(2) of this title, a proclamation made under clause (iii) shall take effect on the date on which the text of the proclamation is published in the Federal Register.

(vi)

Not later than 6 months after proclaiming under clause (iii) that a fabric, yarn, or fiber is added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the Agreement in a restricted quantity, the President may eliminate the restriction if the President determines that the fabric, yarn, or fiber is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA–DR countries.

(D)

Deemed approval of request

If, after an interested entity submits a request under subparagraph (C)(i), the President does not, within the applicable time period specified in subparagraph (C)(iv), make a determination under subparagraph (C)(ii) regarding the request, the fabric, yarn, or fiber that is the subject of the request shall be considered to be added, in an unrestricted quantity, to the list in Annex 3.25 of the Agreement beginning—

(i)

45 days after the date on which the request was submitted; or

(ii)

60 days after the date on which the request was submitted, if the President made a determination under subparagraph (C)(iv)(II).

(E)

Requests to restrict or remove fabrics, yarns, or fibers

(i)

Subject to clause (ii), an interested entity may request the President to restrict the quantity of, or remove from the list in Annex 3.25 of the Agreement, any fabric, yarn, or fiber—

(I)

that has been added to that list in an unrestricted quantity pursuant to paragraph (2) or subparagraph (C)(iii) or (D); or

(II)

with respect to which the President has eliminated a restriction under subparagraph (C)(vi).

(ii)

An interested entity may submit a request under clause (i) at any time beginning 6 months after the date of the action described in subclause (I) or (II) of that clause.

(iii)

Not later than 30 days after the date on which a request under clause (i) is submitted, the President may proclaim an action provided for under clause (i) if the President determines that the fabric, yarn, or fiber that is the subject of the request is available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA–DR countries.

(iv)

A proclamation declared under clause (iii) shall take effect no earlier than the date that is 6 months after the date on which the text of the proclamation is published in the Federal Register.

(F)

Procedures

The President shall establish procedures—

(i)

governing the submission of a request under subparagraphs (C) and (E); and

(ii)

providing an opportunity for interested entities to submit comments and supporting evidence before the President makes a determination under subparagraph (C)(ii) or (vi) or (E)(iii).

(Pub. L. 109–53, title II, § 203, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 469; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 421, Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2642.)

cite as: 19 USC 4033

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