Did you know that Rules / Country of Origin is a complicated issue and crucial for exporters in a post Brexit trade world?

27 Feb 2018

BFPA attended a meeting of EURIS* in London recently at which the whole question of definition of Rules / Country of Origin was discussed. These are the criteria used to determine the economic nationality of a product, as opposed to the geographic nationality of a product. They are important in international trade because import duties (i.e. tariffs) and restrictions will be applied at various levels depending on the nationality of the product.

Rules / Country of Origin will be an important issue relating to (particularly export) trade because any preferential tariffs negotiated with other countries post Brexit such as Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will depend on being able to prove that the UK is the Country of Origin (COO) of the product being exported.

Any company already exporting will know that proving Country of Origin is a complex issue in itself, with “cumulation” (a complicated subject on its own) an important deviation from the core concept of origin, possibly being involved through established multinational supply chains for many manufacturers, and so the issue is key to post Brexit trade.

At the EURIS meeting, BEIS made an interesting presentation explaining some background on the Rules of Origin – if you would like to download this presentation (for in-house use only) click here

Watch this space for updates – because BFPA, though its links with EURIS, will be involved in a project with Sussex University to analyse the impact on EURIS industries of different scenarios for a post Brexit UK-EU deal.

*EURIS is an advisory body for the potential impacts of the changing relationship between the UK and EU for the UK Government, manufacturers and media. EURIS members are industry trade associations covering some 3500 companies across electrotechncial, electronics, renewables and mechanical engineering products. It has a focus on product manufacturers covered by the Single Market and the supporting regulations and standards. 

Sarah Gardner, BFPA
sarah@bfpa.co.uk