# Non-Preferential origin

<div>This Book outlines the rules on non-preferential origin.</div>

# Introduction

<div id="bkmrk-non-preferential-ori">**[Non-preferential origin](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R0952-20221212&qid=1753432156761#:~:text=Section%201-,Non%2Dpreferential%20origin,-Article%2059 "UCC legal basis")**[ rules](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R0952-20221212&qid=1753432156761#:~:text=Section%201-,Non%2Dpreferential%20origin,-Article%2059 "UCC legal basis") are used for the application of all kinds of non-preferential commercial policy measures, like, for instance, the most-favoured-nation treatment, anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties, trade embargoes, safeguard measures, origin marking requirements , quantitative restrictions or tariff quotas, government procurement and trade statistics. Non-preferential origin is obtained **where goods are "wholly obtained" in one country** or, when two or more countries are involved in the manufacture of a product, origin is obtained **where goods underwent their last, substantial, economically-justified processing or working, in an undertaking equipped for that purpose, resulting in the manufacture of a new product or representing an important stage of manufacture**. **Every product** necessarily **has a non-preferential origin**, which could be different from its preferential origin. When referred to the origin of a product, 'origin' typically refers to non-preferential origin.</div><div id="bkmrk-">  
  
</div>#### **Scope of application of the non-preferential rules of origin**

<div id="bkmrk-the-non-preferential">The non-preferential rules of origin apply to goods declared for release for free circulation in the EU for the purpose of applying the Common Customs Tariff, except where it concerns preferential tariff measures. They are also used for the application of other measures established by Union provisions governing specific fields relating to trade in goods, like anti-dumping measures or origin marking requirements. Establishing harmonised non-preferential rules of origin among WTO members is the objective of the Harmonisation Work Programme laid down in the Agreement on rules of origin (by Decision 94/800/EC the Council approved the Agreement on Rules of Origin (WTO-GATT 1994), annexed to the final act signed in Marrakesh on 15 April 1994). While awaiting the finalisation of this work program, any country can apply its own non-preferential rules of origin at release for free circulation. The rules applied by WTO members should comply with the principles laid down in the Agreement on rules of origin. **Due to the fact that any third country can apply its own non-preferential rules of origin, the use of EU non-preferential rules of origin is not mandatory for export**, the only exception is in case Union measures relating to the origin of goods exist, like for instance export refunds.</div><div id="bkmrk-the-european-commiss" style="text-align: start;">  
  
<span style="color: rgb(23, 43, 77); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important; float: none;">The European Commission also published a [guidance document about non-preferential origin](http://The%20European%20Commission%20also%20published%20a%20guidance%20document%20about%20non-preferential%20origin.%20Although%20this%20document%20is%20not%20legally%20binding%20it%20provides%20a%20useful%20insight%20in%20the%20Commission's%20view%20on%20this%20topic "Guidance document on non-preferntial origin"). Although this document is not legally binding it provides a useful insight in the Commission's view on this topic</span>  
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