Title 19 CFR · 10 exam questions
19 CFR Part 102: Rules of Origin
19 CFR Part 102, section by section, with every released customs broker license exam question in the CBLEsim bank that tests it. Drawn from 7 released sittings, April 2023 through October 2025.
Edition shown: the 2025 annual edition of Title 19, revised as of April 1, 2025. It is the edition the October 2026 customs broker exam is graded against, and it can differ from the regulation in force today. For the current official text see 19 CFR Part 102 on eCFR.
Sections of Part 102
Every section opens in place. A linked section has its own page, with the exam questions that turn on it.
§ 102.0Scope
With the exception of §§ 102.21 through 102.25, this part sets forth rules for determining the country of origin of imported goods for the purposes specified in paragraph 1 of Annex 311 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”). Under NAFTA, these specific purposes are: country of origin marking; determining the rate of duty and staging category applicable to originating textile and apparel products as set out in Section 2 (Tariff Elimination) of Annex 300-B (Textile and Apparel Goods); and determining the rate of duty and staging category applicable to an originating good as set out in Annex 302.2 (Tariff Elimination). The rules set forth in §§ 102.1 through 102.18 and 102.20 also determine the country of origin for marking purposes of imported goods under the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). The rules set forth in §§ 102.1 through 102.21 of this part will also apply for purposes of determining whether an imported good is a new or different article of commerce under § 10.769 of the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement regulations and § 10.809 of the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement regulations. The rules for determining the country of origin of textile and apparel products set forth in § 102.21 apply for the foregoing purposes and for the other purposes stated in that section. Section 102.22 sets forth rules for determining whether textile and apparel products are considered products of Israel for purposes of the customs laws and the administration of quantitative limitations. Sections 102.23 through 102.25 set forth certain procedural requirements relating to the importation of textile and apparel products.
§ 102.1Definitions
(a) Advanced in value. “Advanced in value” means an increase in the value of a good as a result of production with respect to that good, other than by means of those “minor processing” operations described in paragraphs (n)(5), (n)(6), and (n)(7) of this section.
(b) Commingled. “Commingled” means physically combined or mixed.
(c) Direct physical identification. “Direct physical identification” means identification by visual or other organoleptic examination.
(d) Domestic material. “Domestic material” means a material whose country of origin as determined under these rules is the same country as the country in which the good is produced.
(e) Foreign material. “Foreign material” means a material whose country of origin as determined under these rules is not the same country as the country in which the good is produced.
(f) Fungible goods or fungible materials. “Fungible goods or fungible materials” means goods or materials that are interchangeable for commercial purposes and whose properties are essentially identical.
(g) A good wholly obtained or produced. A good “wholly obtained or produced” in a country means:
(1) A mineral good extracted in that country;
(2) A vegetable or plant good harvested in that country;
(3) A live animal born and raised in that country;
(4) A good obtained from hunting, trapping or fishing in that country;
(5) A good (fish, shellfish and other marine life) taken from the sea by vessels registered or recorded with that country and flying its flag;
(6) A good produced on board factory ships from the goods referred to in paragraph (g)(5) of this section, provided such factory ships are registered or recorded with that country and fly its flag;
(7) A good taken by that country or a person of that country from the seabed or beneath the seabed outside territorial waters, provided that country has rights to exploit such seabed;
(8) A good taken from outer space, provided they are obtained by that country or a person of that country;
(9) Waste and scrap derived from:
(i) Production in a country, or
(ii) Used goods collected in that country provided such goods are fit only for the recovery of raw materials; and
(10) A good produced in that country exclusively from goods referred to in paragraphs (g)(1) through (10) of this section or from their derivatives, at any stage of production.
(h) Harmonized System. “Harmonized System” means the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, including its general rules of Interpretation, Section Notes and Chapter Notes, as adopted and implemented by the United States.
(i) Improved in condition. “Improved in condition” means the enhancement of the physical condition of a good as a result of production with respect to that good, other than by means of those “minor processing” operations described in paragraphs (n)(5), (n)(6), and (n)(7) of this section.
(j) Incorporated. “Incorporated” means physically incorporated into a good as a result of production with respect to that good.
(k) Indirect materials. “Indirect materials” means a good used in the production, testing or inspection of another good but not physically incorporated into that other good, or a good used in the maintenance of buildings or the operation of equipment associated with the production of that other good, including:
(1) Fuel and energy;
(2) Tools, dies and molds;
(3) Spare parts and materials used in the maintenance of equipment and buildings;
(4) Lubricants, greases, compounding materials and other materials used in production or used to operate equipment and buildings;
(5) Gloves, glasses, footwear, clothing, safety equipment and supplies;
(6) Equipment, devices, and supplies used for testing or inspecting the goods;
(7) Catalysts and solvents; and
(8) Any other goods that are not incorporated into the good but whose use in the production of the good can reasonably be demonstrated to be a part of that production.
(l) Inventory management method. “Inventory management method” means:
(1) Averaging;
(2) “Last-in, first-out;”
(3) “First-in, first-out;” or
(4) Any other method that is recognized in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of the country in which the production is performed or is otherwise accepted by that country.
(m) Material. “Material” means a good that is incorporated into another good as a result of production with respect to that other good, and includes parts, ingredients, subassemblies, and components.
(n) Minor processing. “Minor processing” means the following:
(1) Mere dilution with water or another substance that does not materially alter the characteristics of the good;
(2) Cleaning, including removal of rust, grease, paint, or other coatings;
(3) Application of preservative or decorative coatings, including lubricants, protective encapsulation, preservative or decorative paint, or metallic coatings;
(4) Trimming, filing or cutting off small amounts of excess materials;
(5) Unloading, reloading or any other operation necessary to maintain the good in good condition;
(6) Putting up in measured doses, packing, repacking, packaging, repackaging;
(7) Testing, marking, sorting, or grading;
(8) Ornamental or finishing operations incidental to textile good production designed to enhance the marketing appeal or the ease of care of the product, such as dyeing and printing, embroidery and appliques, pleating, hemstitching, stone or acid washing, permanent pressing, or the attachment of accessories notions, findings and trimmings; or
(9) Repairs and alterations, washing, laundering, or sterilizing.
(o) Production. “Production” means growing, mining, harvesting, fishing, trapping, hunting, manufacturing, processing or assembling a good.
(p) Simple assembly. “Simple assembly” means the fitting together of five or fewer parts all of which are foreign (excluding fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc.) by bolting, gluing, soldering, sewing or by other means without more than minor processing.
(q) Value. “Value” means, with respect to § 102.13:
(1) In the case of a good under NAFTA, its customs value or transaction value within the meaning of the appendix to part 181 of this chapter; or
(2) In the case of a material under NAFTA, its customs value or value within the meaning of the appendix to part 181 of this chapter.
(3) In the case of a good or material under the USMCA, its customs value or transaction value within the meaning of appendix A to part 182 of this chapter.
§ 102.11General rules
The following rules shall apply for purposes of determining the country of origin of imported goods other than textile and apparel products covered by § 102.21.
(a) The country of origin of a good is the country in which:
(1) The good is wholly obtained or produced;
(2) The good is produced exclusively from domestic materials; or
(3) Each foreign material incorporated in that good undergoes an applicable change in tariff classification set out in § 102.20 and satisfies any other applicable requirements of that section, and all other applicable requirements of these rules are satisfied.
(b) Except for a good that is specifically described in the Harmonized System as a set, or is classified as a set pursuant to General Rule of Interpretation 3, where the country of origin cannot be determined under paragraph (a) of this section:
(1) The country of origin of the good is the country or countries of origin of the single material that imparts the essential character to the good, or
(2) If the material that imparts the essential character to the good is fungible, has been commingled, and direct physical identification of the origin of the commingled material is not practical, the country or countries of origin may be determined on the basis of an inventory management method.
(c) Where the country of origin cannot be determined under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section and the good is specifically described in the Harmonized System as a set or mixture, or classified as a set, mixture or composite good pursuant to General Rule of Interpretation 3, the country of origin of the good is the country or countries of origin of all materials that merit equal consideration for determining the essential character of the good.
(d) Where the country of origin of a good cannot be determined under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section, the country of origin of the good shall be determined as follows:
(1) If the good was produced only as a result of minor processing, the country of origin of the good is the country or countries of origin of each material that merits equal consideration for determining the essential character of the good;
(2) If the good was produced by simple assembly and the assembled parts that merit equal consideration for determining the essential character of the good are from the same country, the country of origin of the good is the country of origin of those parts; or
(3) If the country of origin of the good cannot be determined under paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the last country in which the good underwent production.
§ 102.12Fungible goods
When fungible goods of different countries of origin are commingled the country of origin of the goods:
(a) Is the countries of origin of those commingled goods; or
(b) If the good is fungible, has been commingled, and direct physical identification of the origin of the commingled good is not practical, the country or countries of origin may be determined on the basis of an inventory management method.
§ 102.13De Minimis
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, foreign materials that do not undergo the applicable change in tariff classification set out in § 102.20 or satisfy the other applicable requirements of that section when incorporated into a good shall be disregarded in determining the country of origin of the good if the value of those materials is no more than 7 percent of the value of the good or 10 percent of the value of a good of Chapter 22, Harmonized System.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to a foreign material incorporated in a good provided for in Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 17, or 20 of the Harmonized System.
(c) Foreign components or materials that do not undergo the applicable change in tariff classification set out in § 102.21 or satisfy the other applicable requirements of that section when incorporated into a textile or apparel product covered by that section shall be disregarded in determining the country of origin of the good if the total weight of those components or materials is not more than 7 percent of the total weight of the good.
§ 102.15Disregarded materials
(a) The following materials shall be disregarded when determining whether the good undergoes the applicable change in tariff classification set out in § 102.20 or § 102.21, or satisfies the other applicable requirements of those sections:
(1) Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale that are classified with the good;
(2) Accessories, spare parts or tools delivered with the good that are classified with the good and shipped with the good;
(3) Packing materials and containers in which a good is packed for shipment; and
(4) Indirect materials.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 102.17Non-qualifying operations
A foreign material shall not be considered to have undergone an applicable change in tariff classification specified in § 102.20 or § 102.21 or to have met any other applicable requirements of those sections merely by reason of one or more of the following:
(a) A change in end-use;
(b) Dismantling or disassembly;
(c) Simple packing, repacking or retail packaging without more than minor processing;
(d) Mere dilution with water or another substance that does not materially alter the characteristics of the material; or
(e) Collecting parts that, as collected, are classifiable in the same tariff provision as an assembled good pursuant to General Rule of Interpretation 2(a), without any additional operation other than minor processing.
§ 102.18Rules of interpretation
(a) When General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 2(a) is referred to in § 102.20 as an exception to an allowed change in tariff classification, this means that such change will not be acceptable for purposes of that section if the change results from the assembly of parts into an incomplete or unfinished good which is classifiable in the same manner as a complete or finished good pursuant to GRI 2(a).
(b) (1) For purposes of identifying the material that imparts the essential character to a good under § 102.11, the only materials that shall be taken into consideration are those domestic or foreign materials that are classified in a tariff provision from which a change in tariff classification is not allowed under the § 102.20 specific rule or other requirements applicable to the good. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(1):
(i) The materials to be considered must be classified in a tariff provision from which a change in tariff classification is not allowed under the specific rule or other requirements applicable to the good under consideration. For example, in the case of a good classified in HTSUS subheading 8607.11 (the rule for which specifies a change to subheading 8607.11 from any other subheading, except from subheading 8607.12, and except from subheading 8607.19 when that change is pursuant to GRI 2(a)), the only materials that may be considered for purposes of identifying the materials that impart the essential character to the good are those that are classified in subheadings 8607.11, 8607.12 and, if the tariff shift is pursuant to GRI 2(a), 8607.19;
(ii) Materials that may be considered include materials produced by the producer of the good and incorporated in the good. For example, if a producer of a good purchases raw materials and converts those raw materials into a component that is incorporated in the good, that component is a material that may be considered for purposes of identifying the materials that impart the essential character to the good, provided that the component is classified in a tariff provision from which a change in tariff classification is not allowed under the specific rule or other requirements applicable to the good; and
(iii) If there is only one material that is classified in a tariff provision from which a change in tariff classification is not allowed under the § 102.20 specific rule or other requirements applicable to the good, then that material will represent the single material that imparts the essential character to the good under § 102.11.
(2) For purposes of determining which one of two or more materials described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section imparts the essential character to a good under § 102.11, various factors may be examined depending upon the type of good involved. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i) The nature of each material, such as its bulk, quantity, weight or value; and
(ii) The role of each material in relation to the use of the good.
§ 102.19NAFTA preference override
(a) Except in the case of goods covered by paragraph (b) of this section, if a good which is originating within the meaning of § 181.1(q) of this chapter is not determined under § 102.11(a) or (b) or § 102.21 to be a good of a single NAFTA country, the country of origin of such good is the last NAFTA country in which that good underwent production other than minor processing, provided that a Certificate of Origin (see § 181.11 of this chapter) has been completed and signed for the good.
(b) If, under any other provision of this part, the country of origin of a good which is originating within the meaning of § 181.1(q) of this chapter is determined to be the United States and that good has been exported from, and returned to, the United States after having been advanced in value or improved in condition in another NAFTA country, the country of origin of such good for Customs duty purposes is the last NAFTA country in which that good was advanced in value or improved in condition before its return to the United States.
(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply only to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, prior to July 1, 2020.
§ 102.20Specific rules by tariff classification
The following rules are the rules specified in § 102.11(a)(3) and other sections of this part. Where a rule under this section permits a change to a subheading from another subheading of the same heading, the rule will be satisfied only if the change is from a subheading of the same level specified in the rule.
Editorial Note:
§ 102.21Textile and apparel products
(a) Applicability. Except for purposes of determining whether goods originate in Israel or are the growth, product, or manufacture of Israel, and except as otherwise provided for by statute, the provisions of this section will control the determination of the country of origin of imported textile and apparel products for purposes of the Customs laws and the administration of quantitative restrictions. The provisions of this section will apply to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after July 1, 1996.
(b) Definitions. The following terms will have the meanings indicated when used in this section:
(1) Country of origin. The term country of origin means the country, territory, or insular possession in which a good originates or of which a good is the growth, product, or manufacture.
(2) Fabric-making process. A fabric-making process is any manufacturing operation that begins with polymers, fibers, filaments (including strips), yarns, twine, cordage, rope, or fabric strips and results in a textile fabric.
(3) Knit to shape. The term knit to shape applies to any good of which 50 percent or more of the exterior surface area is formed by major parts that have been knitted or crocheted directly to the shape used in the good, with no consideration being given to patch pockets, appliques, or the like. Minor cutting, trimming, or sewing of those major parts will not affect the determination of whether a good is “knit to shape.”
(4) Major parts. The term major parts means integral components of a good but does not include collars, cuffs, waistbands, plackets, pockets, linings, paddings, trim, accessories, or similar parts.
(5) Textile or apparel product. A textile or apparel product is any good classifiable in Chapters 50 through 63, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), and any good classifiable under one of the following HTSUS headings or subheadings:
3005.90 3921.12.15 3921.13.15 3921.90.2550 4202.12.40-89 4202.22.40-89 4202.32.40-99 4202.92.04-08 4202.92.15-33 4202.92.60-97 6405.20.60 6406.10.77 6406.10.90 6406.90.15 6501 6502 6504 6505.00 (except for hair-nets of subheading 6505.00) 6601.10-99 7019.13.15 7019.13.28 7019.61-90 8708.21 8804 9113.90.40 9404.90 9612.10.9010 9619.00.21-79
(6) Wholly assembled. The term “wholly assembled” when used with reference to a good means that all components, of which there must be at least two, preexisted in essentially the same condition as found in the finished good and were combined to form the finished good in a single country, territory, or insular possession. Minor attachments and minor embellishments (for example, appliques, beads, spangles, embroidery, buttons) not appreciably affecting the identity of the good, and minor subassemblies (for example, collars, cuffs, plackets, pockets), will not affect the status of a good as “wholly assembled” in a single country, territory, or insular possession.
(c) General rules. Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, the country of origin of a textile or apparel product will be determined by sequential application of paragraphs (c) (1) through (5) of this section and, in each case where appropriate to the specific context, by application of the additional requirements or conditions of §§ 102.12 through 102.19 of this part.
(1) The country of origin of a textile or apparel product is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly obtained or produced.
(2) Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which each foreign material incorporated in that good underwent an applicable change in tariff classification, and/or met any other requirement, specified for the good in paragraph (e) of this section.
(3) Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c) (1) or (2) of this section:
(i) If the good was knit to shape, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was knit; or
(ii) Except for fabrics of chapter 59 and goods of headings 5609, 5807, 5811, 6213, 6214, 6301 through 6306, and 6308, and subheadings 6307.10, 6307.90, 9404.90, and 9619.00.31-33 if the good was not knit to shape and the good was wholly assembled in a single country, territory, or insular possession, the country of origin of the good is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the good was wholly assembled.
(4) Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c) (1), (2) or (3) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the single country, territory, or insular possession in which the most important assembly or manufacturing process occurred.
(5) Where the country of origin of a textile or apparel product cannot be determined under paragraph (c) (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section, the country of origin of the good is the last country, territory, or insular possession in which an important assembly or manufacturing process occurred.
(d) Treatment of sets. Where a good classifiable in the HTSUS as a set includes one or more components that are textile or apparel products and a single country of origin for all of the components of the set cannot be determined under paragraph (c) of this section, the country of origin of each component of the set that is a textile or apparel product will be determined separately under paragraph (c) of this section.
(e) Specific rules by tariff classification. (1) The following rules will apply for purposes of determining the country of origin of a textile or apparel product under paragraph (c)(2) of this section:
Table 1 to Paragraph (e)(1)
(2) For goods of HTSUS headings 6213 and 6214 and HTSUS subheadings 6117.10, 6302.22, 6302.29, 6302.53, 6302.59, 6302.93, 6302.99, 6303.92, 6303.99, 6304.19, 6304.93, 6304.99, 9404.90.85 and 9404.90.95, except for goods classified under those headings or subheadings as of cotton or of wool or consisting of fiber blends containing 16 percent or more by weight of cotton:
(i) The country of origin of the good is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the fabric comprising the good was both dyed and printed when accompanied by two or more of the following finishing operations: bleaching, shrinking, fulling, napping, decating, permanent stiffening, weighting, permanent embossing, or moireing;
(ii) If the country of origin cannot be determined under paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, except for goods of HTSUS subheading 6117.10 that are knit to shape or consist of two or more component parts, the country of origin is the country, territory, or insular possession in which the fabric comprising the good was formed by a fabric-making process; or
(iii) For goods of HTSUS subheading 6117.10 that are knit to shape or consist of two or more component parts, if the country of origin cannot be determined under paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section:
(A) If the good is knit to shape, the country of origin of the good is the country, territory, or insular possession in which a change to HTSUS subheading 6117.10 from yarn occurs, provided that the knit to shape components are knit in a single country, territory, or insular possession; or
(B) If the good is not knit to shape and consists of two or more component parts, the country of origin of the good is the country, territory, or insular possession in which a change to an assembled good of HTSUS subheading 6117.10 from unassembled components occurs, provided that the change is the result of the good being wholly assembled in a single country, territory, or insular possession.
Editorial Notes:
2. By CBP Dec. 22-25, 87 FR 68356, Nov. 15, 2022, § 102.21 was amended; however, the revision to entry “6201-6208” in table 1 to paragraph (e)(1) could not be incorporated due to inaccurate amendatory instruction.
§ 102.22Rules of origin for textile and apparel products of Israel
(a) Applicability. The provisions of this section will control for purposes of determining whether a textile or apparel product, as defined in § 102.21(b)(5), is considered a product of Israel for purposes of the customs laws and the administration of quantitative limitations. A textile or apparel product will be a product of Israel if it is wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of Israel. However, a textile or apparel product that consists of materials produced or derived from, or processed in, another country, or insular possession of the United States, in addition to Israel, will be a product of Israel if it last underwent a substantial transformation in Israel. A textile or apparel product will be considered to have undergone a substantial transformation if it has been transformed by means of substantial manufacturing or processing operations into a new and different article of commerce.
(b) Criteria for determining country of origin for products of Israel. The criteria in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section will be considered in determining whether an imported textile or apparel product is a product of Israel. These criteria are not exhaustive. One or any combination of criteria may be determinative, and additional factors may be considered.
(1) A new and different article of commerce will usually result from a manufacturing or processing operation if there is a change in:
(i) Commercial designation or identity;
(ii) Fundamental character; or
(iii) Commercial use.
(2) In determining whether merchandise has been subjected to substantial manufacturing or processing operations, the following will be considered:
(i) The physical change in the material or article as a result of the manufacturing or processing operations in Israel or in Israel and a foreign territory or country or insular possession of the U.S.;
(ii) The time involved in the manufacturing or processing operations in Israel or in Israel and a foreign territory or country or insular possession of the U.S.;
(iii) The complexity of the manufacturing or processing operations in Israel or in Israel and a foreign territory or country or insular possession of the U.S.;
(iv) The level or degree of skill and/or technology required in the manufacturing or processing operations in Israel or in Israel and a foreign territory or country or insular possession of the U.S.; and
(v) The value added to the article or material in Israel or in Israel and a foreign territory or country or insular possession of the U.S., compared to its value when imported into the U.S.
(c) Manufacturing or processing operations. (1) An article or material usually will be a product of Israel when it has undergone in Israel prior to importation into the United States any of the following:
(i) Dyeing of fabric and printing when accompanied by two or more of the following finishing operations: bleaching, shrinking, fulling, napping, decating, permanent stiffening, weighting, permanent embossing, or moireing;
(ii) Spinning fibers into yarn;
(iii) Weaving, knitting or otherwise forming fabric;
(iv) Cutting of fabric into parts and the assembly of those parts into the completed article; or
(v) Substantial assembly by sewing and/or tailoring of all cut pieces of apparel articles which have been cut from fabric in another foreign territory or country, or insular possession of the U.S., into a completed garment (e.g., the complete assembly and tailoring of all cut pieces of suit-type jackets, suits, and shirts).
(2) An article or material usually will not be considered to be a product of Israel by virtue of merely having undergone any of the following:
(i) Simple combining operations, labeling, pressing, cleaning or dry cleaning, or packaging operations, or any combination thereof;
(ii) Cutting to length or width and hemming or overlocking fabrics which are readily identifiable as being intended for a particular commercial use;
(iii) Trimming and/or joining together by sewing, looping, linking, or other means of attaching otherwise completed knit-to-shape component parts produced in a single country, even when accompanied by other processes (e.g., washing, drying, and mending) normally incident to the assembly process;
(iv) One or more finishing operations on yarns, fabrics, or other textile articles, such as showerproofing, superwashing, bleaching, decating, fulling, shrinking, mercerizing, or similar operations; or
(v) Dyeing and/or printing of fabrics or yarns.
(d) Results of origin determination. If Israel is determined to be the country of origin of a textile or apparel product by application of the provisions in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the inquiry into the origin of the product ends. However, if Israel is determined not to be the country of origin of a textile or apparel product by application of the provisions in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the country of origin of the product will be determined under the rules of origin set forth in § 102.21, although the application of those rules cannot result in Israel being the country of origin of the product.
§ 102.23Origin and Manufacturer Identification
(a) Textile or apparel product manufacturer identification. All commercial importations of textile or apparel products must identify on CBP Form 3461, or its electronic equivalent, (Entry/Immediate Delivery) and CBP Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent, (Entry Summary), and in all electronic data transmissions that require identification of the manufacturer, the manufacturer of such products through a manufacturer identification code (MID) constructed from the name and address of the entity performing the origin-conferring operations pursuant to § 102.21 or § 102.22 of this part, as applicable. The code must be accurately constructed using the methodology set forth in the appendix to this part, including the use of the two-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the country of origin of such products. When a single entry is filed for products of more than one manufacturer, the products of each manufacturer must be separately identified. Importers must be able to demonstrate to CBP their use of reasonable care in determining the manufacturer. If an entry filed for such merchandise fails to include the MID properly constructed from the name and address of the manufacturer, the Center director may reject the entry or take other appropriate action. For purposes of this paragraph, “textile or apparel products” means goods classifiable in Section XI, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), and goods classifiable in any 10-digit HTSUS number outside of Section XI with a three-digit textile category number assigned to the specific subheading.
(b) Incomplete or insufficient information. If the Center director is unable to determine the country of origin of a textile or apparel product, the importer must submit additional information as requested by the Center director. Release of the product from CBP custody will be denied until a determination of the country of origin is made based upon the information provided or the best information available.
(c) Date of exportation. For quota, visa or export license requirements, and statistical purposes, the date of exportation for textile or apparel products listed in § 102.21(b)(5) will be the date the vessel or carrier leaves the last port in the country of origin, as determined by application of § 102.21 or § 102.22, as applicable. Contingency of diversion in another foreign territory or country will not change the date of exportation for quota, visa or export license requirements or for statistical purposes.
§ 102.24Entry of textile or apparel products
Textile or apparel products subject to section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854), whether or not the requirements set forth in § 102.21 or § 102.22, as applicable, have been met, will be denied entry where the factory, producer, manufacturer, or other company named in the entry documents for such textile or apparel products is named in a directive published in the Federal Register by the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements as a company found to be illegally transshipping, closed or unable to produce records to verify production. In these circumstances, no additional information will be accepted or considered by CBP for purposes of determining the admissibility of such textile or apparel products.
§ 102.25Textile or apparel products under the North American Free Trade Agreement
In connection with a claim for NAFTA preferential tariff treatment involving non-originating textile or apparel products subject to the tariff preference level provisions of appendix 6.B to Annex 300-B of the NAFTA and Additional U.S. Notes 3 through 6 to Section XI, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, the importer must submit to CBP a Certificate of Eligibility, or its electronic equivalent, covering the products. The Certificate of Eligibility, or its electronic equivalent, must be properly completed and signed by an authorized official of the Canadian or Mexican government and must be presented to CBP at the time the claim for preferential tariff treatment is filed under § 181.21 of this chapter. If the Center director is unable to determine the country of origin of the products, they will not be entitled to preferential tariff treatment or any other benefit under the NAFTA for which they would otherwise be eligible.
Exam questions from Part 102
April 2023, Q74. Under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), which of the following would NOT be considered an "indirect material" in the manufacture of a ceramic mug? A kiln is the oven that is used to fire or bake the ceramic clay to harden.
- APurified water churned with the clay powder and feldspar to make ceramic clay
- BMolds shaped like cylindrical coffee mugs
- CElectricity used to power the kilns
- DLubricants for the conveyor belts transporting the mugs through the kilns
- EPurified water added to the kiln wash powder used to maintain kiln performance
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is A because purified water churned with clay powder and feldspar is physically incorporated into the ceramic clay, making it a "material" under 19 CFR 102.1(m), not an "indirect material." Indirect materials, as defined in 19 CFR 102.1(k), are those not physically incorporated into the final product. Options B (molds), C (electricity), D (lubricants), and E (kiln wash water) are explicitly listed as indirect materials in 19 CFR 102.1(k)(2), (k)(1), (k)(4), and (k)(3)/(k)(8), respectively. Purified water in A is a direct component of the ceramic clay, not an auxiliary or maintenance item.
April 2026, Q53. Which of the following best defines a domestic material?
- AA material whose country of origin is the same as the country in which the good is produced.
- BA material used in the production, testing, or inspection of another good.
- CA material that is interchangeable for commerical purposes and whose properties are essentially identical.
- DA material that is grown or occurs organically rather than being processed or manufactured.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is A because 19 CFR 102.1(d) explicitly defines a domestic material as one whose country of origin matches the country where the good is produced. This directly aligns with option A. Option B mischaracterizes domestic material as a functional role (used in production), which is unrelated to the origin-based definition in the cited authority. Option C describes "fungible goods" as defined in 19 CFR 102.1(f), not domestic materials. Option D confuses "domestic" with organic origin, which is not addressed in the cited text.
October 2020 (AM), Q27. Cotton napkins are imported into the United States. The cotton fabric comprising the napkins is woven in China and the sewing thread is made in Taiwan. The fabric and thread are shipped to Vietnam to be cut, sewn, and finished into the napkins. The finished napkins are then shipped in bulk to Singapore for packaging before being imported into the United States. What is the country of origin of the napkins?
- AVietnam
- BChina
- CTaiwan
- DSingapore
- EUnited States
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is B (China) because 19 CFR 102.21(e)(1) specifies that for textile products, the country of origin is determined by the country where the fabric is woven, not by subsequent assembly or finishing. The cotton fabric, which is the essential component of the napkins, is woven in China, making China the origin under this rule. Vietnam is excluded because the regulation prioritizes the fabric’s origin over the assembly location, and Singapore’s role is limited to packaging, which is not an "important assembly or manufacturing process" under 19 CFR 102.21(b)(5). Taiwan is irrelevant as the thread is a minor component, and the U.S. is not involved in production.
October 2020 (AM), Q67. A Plastics Milling Plant located in New York City imports Canadian polypropylene pellets (correctly classified in 3902.10.0000, HTSUS) for grinding into polypropylene powder (correctly classified 3902.10.0000, HTSUS). The powder is made solely from the foreign material. The company claims the good has been substantially transformed making the country of origin the United States. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
- AThe term, “country of origin”, always means the country of exportation of any article of foreign origin entering the United States
- BAny further work added to an article in another country is always enough to render such other country the, “country of origin”
- CThe “NAFTA Marking Rules” are never used to determine the country of origin for a NAFTA country
- DThe “NAFTA Marking Rules” never require that each foreign material incorporated in that good undergoes an applicable change in tariff classification
- EThe “NAFTA Marking Rules” require a change to heading 3901 through 3915 from any other heading, including another heading within that group. The required tariff heading change does not occur, therefore, the country of origin of the product remains Canadian
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is E because the NAFTA Marking Rules require a change in tariff classification from any heading within 3901–3915 to another heading within the same group, which did not occur here (both the pellets and powder are classified under 3902.10.0000). Since the product remains in the same heading, the country of origin remains Canada, as per 19 CFR 102.20(g). Option A is incorrect because the country of origin can change if a substantial transformation occurs, not just the country of export. Option B is incorrect because additional work alone does not determine origin; specific tariff classification changes are required. Option C is incorrect because NAFTA Marking Rules are specifically used for determining origin in NAFTA countries. Option D is incorrect because the rules do require each foreign material to undergo an applicable change in tariff classification.
October 2020 (PM), Q27. Cotton napkins are imported into the United States. The cotton fabric comprising the napkins is woven in China and the sewing thread is made in Taiwan. The fabric and thread are shipped to Vietnam to be cut, sewn, and finished into the napkins. The finished napkins are then shipped in bulk to Singapore for packaging before being imported into the United States. What is the country of origin of the napkins?
- AVietnam
- BChina
- CTaiwan
- DSingapore
- EUnited States
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is B) China because, under 19 CFR 102.21(e)(1)(i), for goods classified in certain HTSUS headings (including cotton products), the country of origin is determined by where the fabric is woven. Here, the cotton fabric is woven in China, which is the critical manufacturing step for cotton textiles. Vietnam, where the napkins are cut, sewn, and finished, is not the origin because the rule prioritizes the weaving of the fabric over subsequent assembly steps. Singapore, where packaging occurs, is irrelevant to origin determination under this provision. The thread from Taiwan is not the determining factor, as the rule focuses on the fabric’s origin for cotton products.
October 2023, Q60. Perky Juniper Inc. (PJ Inc.) submitted a purchase order to a pant manufacturer for 100 dozen women's woven cotton pajama pants. The manufacturer purchases cotton grown and harvested in the U.S. and sends the cotton to France to be spun into yarn. The yarn is shipped to Italy where it is woven into fabric. The fabric is sent to Belguim where it is tye-dyed. The tye-dye fabric goes to Spain where it is made into pajama pants and labelled. PJ Inc. imports the pajama pants into the U.S. What is the country of origin of the pajama pants?
- ABelgium
- BFrance
- CItaly
- DSpain
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is D (Spain) because, under 19 CFR 102.21(c)(3)(ii), the country of origin is the single country where the good was wholly assembled. The pajama pants were assembled in Spain, which is the final step in the manufacturing process. France (B) is where the cotton was spun into yarn, Italy (C) is where the fabric was woven, and Belgium (A) is where the fabric was dyed, but none of these steps constitute the final assembly. The rule explicitly prioritizes the country of final assembly when the good is not knit to shape and is wholly assembled in one location.
October 2023, Q61. Which regulation would apply to a country of origin determination of corn from Romania and Chile commingled in a granary and then imported into the United States?
- A19 CFR 10.57
- B19 CFR 102.12
- C19 CFR 134.14
- D19 CFR 146.1
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is B) 19 CFR 102.12 because it explicitly addresses the determination of country of origin for fungible goods commingled from different countries, as described in the scenario. The regulation allows for an inventory management method when direct physical identification is impractical, which applies here. Other options, such as 19 CFR 10.57 (marking requirements) or 19 CFR 146.1 (marking of goods), do not pertain to country of origin determinations. 19 CFR 134.14 relates to importation under bond, which is unrelated to the question.
October 2024, Q62. Cotton seeds from the cotton species Gossypium barbadense are imported into the U.S. from Egypt. Plants of the species Gossypium barbadense grow the cotton commonly known as Egyptian Cotton. The cotton seeds are planted in Mississippi and then the cotton is harvested. The harvested cotton is turned into 100% cotton thread in the Dominican Republic. The 100% cotton thread is woven into cotton fabric suitable for making shirts and this fabric is cut into pieces in Vietnam. The cut pieces are sewn into shirts in Israel using 100% cotton thread and exported to the United States. What is the country of origin of the shirts?
- AEgypt
- BUnited States
- CVietnam
- DIsrael
Show the answer and explanation
The country of origin is Israel because the shirts were "wholly assembled" there under 19 CFR 102.21(b)(3), which designates the country where final assembly occurs as the origin. While Vietnam cut the fabric and Israel sewed the shirts, the final assembly (sewing) is the decisive step under the rule. Egypt is the origin of the seeds, but the goods were transformed through multiple processes in other countries, and the last significant manufacturing step (sewing) occurred in Israel. Vietnam’s role in cutting is not sufficient to establish origin under the hierarchy of rules in 19 CFR 102.21(b)(3)–(5).
October 2024, Q63. Which of the following is NOT an example of a good "wholly obtained or produced" in the United States?
- ACoal mined in West Virginia.
- BA vegetable harvested in Iowa for export to Mexico.
- CA moon rock retrieved by a U.S. astronaut.
- DA car assembled in Ohio using imported parts.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is D because a car assembled in Ohio using imported parts is not "wholly obtained or produced" in the United States under 19 CFR 102.1(g)(10), which requires goods to be produced exclusively from materials that are themselves wholly obtained or produced in the country. Options A, B, and C involve goods directly extracted, harvested, or obtained in the U.S. (coal, vegetables, moon rocks), meeting the definition in 19 CFR 102.1(g)(1), (2), and (8), respectively. Option D fails because imported parts are foreign materials, disqualifying the car from being "wholly obtained or produced" in the U.S.
October 2025, Q62. When is country of origin based on an inventory management method?
- AWhen the goods are non-fungible, consist of indirect materials, and have been disassembled.
- BWhen the goods are non-fungible, have been commingled, and direct physical identification of the origin of the goods is not practical.
- CWhen the goods are fungible, have been commingled, and direct physical identification of the origin of the goods is not practical.
- DAnytime the goods are fungible, regardless of other attributes.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is C because 19 CFR 102.12(b) explicitly states that when fungible goods are commingled and direct physical identification of origin is not practical, the country of origin may be determined via an inventory management method. Option A is incorrect because non-fungible goods and disassembly are not addressed in the rule. Option B is incorrect because non-fungible goods are excluded from the scenario described in 19 CFR 102.12(b). Option D is incorrect because the rule requires both commingling and impractical physical identification, not just fungibility alone.
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