Country of origin marking is the requirement to label imported goods with the country where they were made, produced, grown, or substantially transformed. In customs compliance, origin marking helps consumers and authorities identify the true source of a product. The marking must usually be clear, permanent enough, and visible to the ultimate purchaser. Incorrect or missing country of origin marking can lead to customs delays, marking duties, rework costs, penalties, or refusal of entry.
Country of origin marking is the requirement to label imported goods with the name of the country where they were manufactured or substantially transformed. In the United States, CBP requires that most imported goods be marked to indicate their origin to the ultimate purchaser.
U.S. Marking Requirements
- Goods must be marked legibly and permanently in a conspicuous location
- The marking must be visible to the ultimate purchaser at the time of sale
- Acceptable formats include ‘Made in China’ or ‘Country of Origin: Mexico’
- Certain goods are exempt if they are impractical to mark individually
Unmarked or incorrectly marked goods are subject to a 10 percent marking duty and may be refused entry or required to be repackaged.
For related logistics context, see Dedola’s sustainable fashion and apparel shipping and glossary entries on Country of Origin, Binding Origin Information, Rules of Origin, and CBP.
