Country of Origin Marking

Why is Country of Origin Marking important?

It's to protect the US consumer so they know exactly where the goods they purchased were produced.

How does it work?

The item must be marked in a way that the ultimate purchaser can see it and read it easily whether it's molded directly on the item itself or is stated on a label, hangtag, or the outer carton. There are certain items incapable of being marked or intended to be repackaged that specific rules will apply. There are also additional rules for items that are being imported for assembly.

What happens if goods aren't marked correctly?

In the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can require you to mark the goods, which may mean re-marking them under supervision. It can also assess an additional duty, generally 10 percent of the goods' value, on items that arrive unmarked. Confirm the required wording and placement with your supplier before production.

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