Common use of Verification of Origin Clause in Contracts

Verification of Origin. 1. For the purposes of determining whether a good imported into its territory from the territory of the other Party qualifies as an originating good, the importing Party may, through its customs administration, conduct a verification of eligibility for preferential tariff treatment by means of: (a) requests for information addressed to the importer; (b) written questions and requests for information addressed to an exporter or producer in the territory of the other Party; (c) visits to the premises of an exporter or producer in the territory of the other Party to review the records referred to in Article 4.6 and to observe the facilities used in the production of the good; (d) requests to the exporting Party to verify the origin of the good; or (e) such other procedures as the Parties may agree. 2. Where a request is made by the importing Party to the exporting Party to verify the origin of the good: (a) such request shall only be made if the customs value for duty is sufficiently material to warrant the request; (b) the request shall be accompanied by sufficient information to identify the good about which the request was made; (c) the exporting Party shall, within 90 days of receiving the request, advise the importing Party as to the origin of the good about which the request was made; and (d) any costs incurred by the exporting Party in meeting the request to verify the origin of the good shall be mutually determined by the Parties. 3. Prior to conducting a verification visit pursuant to Sub-paragraph 1(c) of this Article the importing Party shall: (a) deliver a written notification of its intention to conduct the visit to: (i) the exporter or producer whose premises are to be visited; and (ii) the customs administration of the exporting Party; and (b) obtain the written consent of the exporter or producer whose premises are to be visited.