• Originating materials for EU FTAs

    Question: I am told that only EU materials with a valid LTSD conferring preferential origin can be treated as EU originating in the preferential origin assessments of finished products made in the EU and incorporate these materials.  Is this accurate? Where can I find official definition of originating materials? We can take the EU – […]

  • How will the trade agreements get approved?

    Question: Being a Trade Nerd, last night I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep because a question kept popping up in my head that I couldn’t answer. The question is: Any trade agreement that Pres. Trump negotiates must be approved by 2/3 of the Senate (67 Senators)) and there are only 53 Republican Senators (and […]

  • Canada Imports of Apparel Under LDCT

    Question: My questions are related to the certificate of origin and the preference criteria for apparel imports into Canada under LDC. The B255 form is currently required for LDC clearance but the version available online is out of date – it reflects the rules of origin up to December 31, 2024. I’ve reviewed the updated regulations in SOR-2023-210 […]

  • US Goods Returned versus USMCA

    Question: Regarding claims of US Goods Returned (9801) and USMCA on US origin goods that are simply repackaged in either Canada or Mexico and then re-imported into the US – (1) Is there an advantage to claiming US Goods Returned, instead of USMCA? (2) Is there an obligation with either program to break out the […]

  • US Goods Returned versus USMCA

    Question: Regarding claims of US Goods Returned (9801) and USMCA on US origin goods that are simply repackaged in either Canada or Mexico and then re-imported into the US – (1) Is there an advantage to claiming US Goods Returned, instead of USMCA? (2) Is there an obligation with either program to break out the […]

  • US-DR-CAFTA

    Question: Hi All, We are facing a new situation, and I wanted to reach out to the knowledge base here in hopes someone may have some insights: We have a customer who will be buying a protein powder from us that is made with a co-manufacturer.  We send Whey Protein to the co-man who then […]

  • Tariff shift with RVC

    Question: Hello Members, I am wondering if you could help me understand how the process of Tariff shift with RVC works.  The finished item requires a 60% RVC, but the main component, which we also produce, only requires 45%. If the major component meets the 45% does this mean the completed good automatically meet the […]

  • Reimport of incorporated US components

    Question: Hello everyone, I have the following question: Our company manufactures in the United States electronic devices from parts of various origin. As finished goods they are US origin items and are even “originating “under many FTA’s including USMCA.  We sell these electronic devices around the world as loose equipment, but we also incorporate them […]

  • GSP renewal

    Question: What is the likelihood of GSP being renewed under the new Trump administration, and if so, when to expect? Answer 1: Good morning, As I am responding to your email, I do not believe we will see any renewal soon. We keep flagging entries for GSP in hope that it does renew, but if […]

  • BOM level necessary for determining an FTA Country of Origin

    Question: My question to the membership is what is the appropriate BOM level necessary for determining a FTA Country of Origin that meets the Reasonable Care standard? I am managing the implementation of a FTA software package for analyzing and qualifying goods for FTAs.  A question has been asked about the BOM for FTA country […]

  • USMCA Certificate for material in inventory

    Question: If a US producer received raw material in 2022, and received a 2022 USMCA certificate for the material, is the producer allowed to base their 2024 USMCA certificate (for a finished good which used that raw material) on the 2022 COO received from the supplier?   Assume there have been no receipts of that material […]

  • FTA Agreements

    Question: We are required to complete free trade agreements per requests from our customers.  As the parts are initially sold to my company I feel that we should be the importer of record on these.  As we would be the party who would get the benefit from the duty free opportunities if the parts qualify. […]