Issue 387, February 13, 2003
On January 23, 2003, Presidential Proclamation 7641 was published, which initiated several changes to the NAFTA Rules of Origin. As a result of these changes, a number of products now have "split" rules of origin. This means that a product covered under a particular tariff classification will have one NAFTA rule of origin if it is a product of Canada and a different NAFTA rule of origin if it is a product of Mexico.

The classifications/products affected by these new "split" rules are:

2203-2209 (beer, wine and liquor)
2710-2715 (petroleum products)
2905.11-2905.49 (acyclic alcohols)
7113-7118 (jewelry)
8518.30 (headphones)
8706.00.03-8706.00.50 (vehicle chassis)
9009.91-9009.99.99 (parts of photocopiers)

Importers and exporters making NAFTA claims on these products should review the new NAFTA rules of origin to ensure these changes will not affect their NAFTA eligibility. The NAFTA rules of origin are found in General Note 12 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS). The newest version of the HTSUS can be found on the U.S. International Trade Commission website @ www.usitc.gov

These NAFTA rule modifications are effective for goods of Canada that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after January 1, 2003. For goods from Mexico that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, the NAFTA modifications will be effective on or after the date that is to be announced in the Federal Register by the U.S. Trade Representative.

Our contributing writer, Paul Vroman, Technical Advisor, can be reached at our Danzas AEI Intercontinental office in Port Huron, Michigan via email at paul.vroman@dhl.com or at (810) 987-0557.

Please note that due to the complex nature of the subject matter, DHL Danzas Air & Ocean cannot be responsible for actions taken by the reader in reliance on the information contained herein without prior consultation with DHL Danzas Air & Ocean.