Help with understanding Country of Origin for customs [SAMOS e-commerce LTD](/)Open main menu Search Services Pricing Resources Blog [ Login ](https://connect.samos-e.com/login) ![Illustration of a globe with question marks and a certificate document, highlighting the importance of country of origin for international trade, customs, and e-commerce shipping.](https://samos-e.com/storage/239/conversions/Main-Graphic-2-main.jpg) FAQ's about Country of Origin ============================= With the U.S. imposing heavy tariffs on goods originating in certain places like China and Hong Kong, what you put down in the ‘country of origin’ section of your customs declaration is more important than ever. In this blog we break down what is meant by country of origin and how it affects your parcel shipping. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [What is meant by country of origin in shipping terms?](#content-what-is-meant-by-country-of-origin-in-shipping-terms) - [What Country of Origin is not?](#content-what-country-of-origin-is-not) - [Why do we need to state the country of origin of our imports?](#content-why-do-we-need-to-state-the-country-of-origin-of-our-imports) - [What if I buy materials from China but make a product here in the UK?](#content-what-if-i-buy-materials-from-china-but-make-a-product-here-in-the-uk) - [How can I be sure that I have determined the correct country of origin?](#content-how-can-i-be-sure-that-i-have-determined-the-correct-country-of-origin) - [SAMOS is here to help.](#content-samos-is-here-to-help) 15th May 2025 Updated 10 months ago Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - Copy Link If you’ve been watching the news, you’ll have seen that the U.S. has recently proposed some pretty substantial hikes on tariffs for goods being imported from China as well as removing the ‘de minimis’ exemption – which previously allowed foreign products costing $800 (£624) or less to enter the US duty-free – for Chinese imports as well. While this is concerning for e-commerce businesses located in China, the impact is more far reaching, as anyone who imports a product that originated in that country will be subject to the same rules. Here’s what you need to know about country of origin and how it is used in customs clearance. [\#](#content-what-is-meant-by-country-of-origin-in-shipping-terms "Permalink")What is meant by country of origin in shipping terms? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anyone who imports or exports a product must state the country of origin on their customs declaration. Wherever that item originated from will determine the duties and taxes your business must pay. Generally speaking, the country of origin refers to the country where a product was made, produced or grown. Determining this is a crucial aspect in international trade, influencing factors like tariffs and customs regulations. [\#](#content-what-country-of-origin-is-not "Permalink")What Country of Origin is not? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is not necessarily the country where it's shipped from or purchased. For example, if a shirt was made in Bangladesh, then Bangladesh is the country of origin, even if it was sold from an online store based in London. [\#](#content-why-do-we-need-to-state-the-country-of-origin-of-our-imports "Permalink")Why do we need to state the country of origin of our imports? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The country of origin determines which rules and regulations apply to the product, particularly in international trade, impacting factors like tariffs, quotas, and trade agreements. For example, the U.S. requires imported goods to be marked with the country of origin before entering customs. [\#](#content-what-if-i-buy-materials-from-china-but-make-a-product-here-in-the-uk "Permalink")What if I buy materials from China but make a product here in the UK? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With today’s global supply chains, the country of origin can be complex, as products may involve multiple countries in the production process. For example, a washing machine might be assembled in one country, but the screws might be from another, and the washing machine's origin would depend on the rules for that specific commodity, according to Customs Support. [\#](#content-how-can-i-be-sure-that-i-have-determined-the-correct-country-of-origin "Permalink")How can I be sure that I have determined the correct country of origin? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As a general rule of thumb, where two or more countries take part in the production of goods, the country of origin of goods should be the country where the goods underwent final operations in processing or production. For more information on criteria for sufficient processing of goods see this article. [\#](#content-samos-is-here-to-help "Permalink")SAMOS is here to help. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re here to keep shipping simple for e-commerce businesses that are tired of complicated shipping processes and impersonal customer service departments. If you’d like to know more about how your imports may be affected by recent trade tariff changes, get in touch with SAMOS for a friendly chat. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [What is meant by country of origin in shipping terms?](#content-what-is-meant-by-country-of-origin-in-shipping-terms) - [What Country of Origin is not?](#content-what-country-of-origin-is-not) - [Why do we need to state the country of origin of our imports?](#content-why-do-we-need-to-state-the-country-of-origin-of-our-imports) - [What if I buy materials from China but make a product here in the UK?](#content-what-if-i-buy-materials-from-china-but-make-a-product-here-in-the-uk) - [How can I be sure that I have determined the correct country of origin?](#content-how-can-i-be-sure-that-i-have-determined-the-correct-country-of-origin) - [SAMOS is here to help.](#content-samos-is-here-to-help) 15th May 2025 Updated 10 months ago Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - Copy Link Who is SAMOS? ------------- SAMOS is parcel logistics company based in London, specialising in creating and engineering customer-focussed e-commerce parcel delivery and returns solutions. [Find out more about SAMOS ](/about-samos) What our customers are saying ------------------------------ SAMOS customers had difficulties shipping into the EU and beyond - until they found SAMOS. [Read more about our customers ](/customer-stories) How to contact SAMOS -------------------- Need more help or do you have any questions for us? Talk to us Why not try shipping with SAMOS? -------------------------------- Request a demo to learn more about how SAMOS can help you ship directly to your customers. [Request a demo ](/request-a-demo) ### Related Articles [![Reduce US Duty and Tariff Risk With SAMOS](https://samos-e.com/storage/267/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-6-main.jpg)](/blog/customs/reduce-us-duty-and-tariff-risk-with-samos)7th November 2025[Customs](/blog/customs) ### [ Reduce US Duty and Tariff Risk With SAMOS](/blog/customs/reduce-us-duty-and-tariff-risk-with-samos) Have you received an unexpectedly hefty duty and tariff invoice for a US shipment? 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Are you now rethinking your international delivery strategy for exporting to the USA? ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS [![Pay no minimum $80 duty](https://samos-e.com/storage/253/conversions/Social-Media-Graphic-2-main.jpg)](/blog/customs/how-to-avoid-the-80-minimum-duty-to-us)26th August 2025[Customs](/blog/customs) ### [ Protect your profits - no $80 minimum US duty when you ship with SAMOS](/blog/customs/how-to-avoid-the-80-minimum-duty-to-us) Your customer shouldn’t be the one discovering your courier’s hidden fees. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS [![Image of a dollar sign and percentage sign with arrows pointing to each other](https://samos-e.com/storage/247/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-main.jpg)](/blog/customs/how-to-navigate-changes-to-the-us-de-minimis-rule)14th August 2025[Customs](/blog/customs) ### [ How to navigate changes to the US de minimis rule.](/blog/customs/how-to-navigate-changes-to-the-us-de-minimis-rule) As the date for the end of the US de minimis exemption looms, we talk you through how to prepare for the changes to duties and tariffs. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS Footer ------ ### Services - [Parcel Delivery ](/services/parcel-delivery) - [Parcel Returns ](/services/parcel-returns) - [All Integrations ](/services/integrations) - [Parcel Tracking ](/services/parcel-tracking) - [Shipping to the EU](/services/parcel-delivery/europe) - [Shipping fragrances & cosmetics to the EU](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution) - [Learn about IOSS for EU Shipping ](/blog/ioss) ### Integrations - [Shopify](/services/integrations/shopify) - [Shipstation](/services/integrations/shipstation) - [Linnworks](/services/integrations/linnworks) - [Mintsoft](/services/integrations/mintsoft) - [WooCommerce](/services/integrations/woocommerce) - [Shiptheory](/services/integrations/shiptheory) - [Despatch Cloud](/services/integrations/despatch-cloud) - [Magento](/services/integrations/magento) - [Pimento](/services/integrations/pimento) ### Company - [About SAMOS ](/about-samos) - [Customer Stories ](/customer-stories) - [Shipping Rates ](/pricing/samos-shipping-rates) - [Return Rates ](/pricing/samos-return-rates) - [Request a Demo ](/request-a-demo) - [Sustainability ](/resources/sustainability) - [Resources ](/resources) - [Contact Us ](/contact-us) ### Terms & Conditions - [Website T&Cs ](/website-terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy & Cookies ](/privacy-and-cookie-policy) - [Shipping T&Cs ](/shipping-terms-and-conditions) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/samos.ecom/)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/samos-e-commerce/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/samosecommerce/?hl=en)[YouTube](https://youtube.com/@samose-commerce4997?si=rqZ4UmQ6V1we6Kuk) © 2026 SAMOS e-commerce LTD