Determining the country of origin of goods plays a significant role in the international trade system. The correct identification of origin is essential for the application of customs duties, trade policy measures, restrictions, and for maintaining accurate foreign trade statistics.
When a product is not covered by international agreements on tariff preferences, its origin is determined for non-preferential purposes in accordance with the general rules established by international and regional legal acts.
The legal regulation of the rules of origin is based on the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union dated 29 May 2014, the EAEU Customs Code (Chapter 4), and Decision No. 49 of the EEC Council dated 13 July 2018. These instruments enshrine the principles of transparency, objectivity, and non-discrimination, ensuring a uniform approach to determining the origin of goods across all member states of the Union.
The main criteria for establishing the country of origin are as follows:
1. Complete production of the goods within the territory of a country;
2. Sufficient processing or transformation when materials from different countries are used in the manufacturing process.
Modern trends involve the introduction of digital tools for supply chain traceability and electronic certification of origin, which enhance procedural transparency and reduce administrative barriers.
Overall, contemporary approaches aim to improve and harmonize the rules for determining the country of origin of goods, thereby contributing to the development of fair, transparent, and predictable international trade.