Certificate of Origin: Preferential vs Non-Preferential, and Why the Difference Matters

Hands stamping an official export document with a red seal, a globe in the background, representing certificate of origin documentation

For the official rules, see the U.S. Department of Commerce rules of origin overview, and our related guide on trade compliance basics. Certificate of origin preferential status is what actually unlocks a reduced or zero tariff rate under a free trade agreement — without it, customs treats the exact same shipment as fully dutiable. An … Read more