GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

Origin determination notice

A freight forwarder submits product documentation and requests preferential tariff treatment – but customs doubts the declared origin and issues an origin determination notice.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.zoll.de/DE/Fachthemen/Warenursprung/Warenursprung.html

Category

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Reading time

1 min

Words

112

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

A freight forwarder submits product documentation and requests preferential tariff treatment – but customs doubts the declared origin and issues an origin determination notice. This written, legally binding administrative decision establishes whether a good qualifies as originating in a specific country and on what legal basis that conclusion rests. The authority applies the origin rules of the relevant trade agreement, including criteria such as sufficient processing, value-added thresholds, or cumulation provisions. Importers are bound by the decision: it either confirms eligibility for reduced duties or requires payment of the full tariff rate. The origin determination notice is distinct from a binding tariff information (BTI), which addresses HS classification rather than origin status.

Next steps

Tools that match this term

Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Origin master data

When a freight forwarder or exporter calls up a supplier record in their ERP, origin master data delivers the relevant customs att…

Learn more

Automated Origin Verification

Demonstrating valid preferential origin is one of the most demanding compliance tasks in international trade, and automated origin…

Learn more

Origin management

Freight forwarders, exporters, and importers rely on origin management to systematically determine, document, and substantiate the…

Learn more

Country of Origin / Substantial Transformation (U.S. origin determination)

As of June 2026. Under U.S. customs law, a good's country of origin determines which country-specific tariff rate applies — and wi…

Learn more

Non-preferential Origin

Non-preferential origin, often called trade-policy origin or made-in origin, determines which country goods originate from for cus…

Learn more

Origin documentation

Unlike a single origin certificate, origin documentation refers to the full set of records that collectively prove a good's geogra…

Learn more

⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.

Incoterms Simulator →

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Weekly: Top news, industry facts and insights from the world of logistics – free.

Origin determination notice

Next steps

Related Terms

Origin master data

Automated Origin Verification

Origin management

Country of Origin / Substantial Transformation (U.S. origin determination)

Non-preferential Origin

Origin documentation

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers