Article 4.12. Indirect Materials Used In Production
Each Party shall provide that an indirect material shall be considered to be an originating material without regard to where it is produced.
Article 4.13. Transit and Transshipment
Each Party shall provide that a good shall not be considered to be an originating good if the good:
(a) undergoes subsequent production or any other operation outside the territories of the Parties, other than unloading, reloading, or any other operation necessary to preserve the good in good condition or to transport the good to the territory of a Party; or
(b) does not remain under the control of customs authorities in the territory of a non-Party.
Article 4.14. Consultation and Modifications
1. The Parties shall consult regularly to ensure that this Chapter is administered effectively, uniformly, and consistently with the spirit and objectives of this Agreement, and shall cooperate in the administration of this Chapter.
2. A Party that considers that a specific rule of origin set forth in Annex 4.1 requires modification to take into account developments in production processes, lack of supply of originating materials, or other relevant factors may submit a proposed modification along with supporting rationale and any studies to the other Parties for consideration.
3. On submission by a Party of a proposed modification under paragraph 2, the Commission may refer the matter to an ad hoc working group within 60 days or on such other date as the Commission may decide. The working group shall meet to consider the proposed modification within 60 days of the date of referral or on such other date as the Commission may decide.
4. Within such period as the Commission may direct, the working group shall provide a report to the Commission, setting out its conclusions and recommendations, if any.
5. On receipt of the report, the Commission may take appropriate action under Article 20.1.3(b).
6. With respect to a textile or apparel good, paragraphs 2 through 4 of Article 3.3 (Rules of Origin, Origin Procedures, and Related Matters) apply in place of paragraphs 2 through 5.
Section B. Origin Procedures
Article 4.15. Claims for Preferential Treatment
1. Each Party shall provide that an importer may make a claim for preferential tariff treatment based on either:
(a) a written or electronic certification by the importer, exporter, or producer; or
(b) the importer's knowledge that the good is an originating good, including reasonable reliance on information in the importer's possession that the good is an originating good.
2. Each Party shall provide that a certification need not be made in a prescribed format, provided that the certification is in written or electronic form, including but not limited to the following elements:
(a) the name of the certifying person, including as necessary contact or other identifying information;
(b) tariff classification under the Harmonized System and a description of the good;
(c) information demonstrating that the good is originating;
(d) date of the certification; and
(e) in the case of a blanket certification issued as set out in paragraph 4(b), the period that the certification covers.
3. Each Party shall provide that a certification by the producer or exporter of the good may be completed on the basis of:
(a) the producer's or exporter's knowledge that the good is originating; or
(b) in the case of an exporter, reasonable reliance on the producer's written or electronic certification that the good is originating. No Party may require an exporter or producer to provide a written or electronic certification to another person.
4. Each Party shall provide that a certification may apply to:
(a) a single shipment of a good into the territory of a Party; or
(b) multiple shipments of identical goods within any period specified in the written or electronic certification, not exceeding 12 months from the date of the certification.
5. Each Party shall provide that a certification shall be valid for four years after the date it was issued.
6. Each Party shall allow an importer to submit a certification in the language of the importing Party or the exporting Party. In the latter case, the importing Party may require the importer to submit a translation of the certification in the language of the importing Party.
Article 4.16. Exceptions
No Party may require a certification or information demonstrating that a good is originating where:
(a) the customs value of the importation does not exceed US$1,500 or the equivalent amount in the currency of the importing Party, or such higher amount as may be established by the importing Party, unless the importing Party considers the importation to be part of a series of importations carried out or planned for the purpose of evading compliance with the Party's laws governing claims for preferential treatment under this Agreement; or
(b) it is a good for which the importing Party does not require the importer to present a certification or information demonstrating origin.
Article 4.17. Record Keeping Requirements
1. Each Party shall provide that an exporter or a producer in its territory that provides a certification in accordance with Article 4.15 shall maintain, for a minimum of five years from the date the certification was issued, all records necessary to demonstrate that a good for which the producer or exporter provided a certification was an originating good, including records concerning:
(a) the purchase of, cost of, value of, and payment for, the exported good;
(b) the purchase of, cost of, value of, and payment for all materials, including indirect materials, used in the production of the exported good; and
(c) the production of the good in the form in which it was exported.
2. Each Party shall provide that an importer claiming preferential tariff treatment for a good imported into the Party's territory shall maintain, for a minimum of five years from the date of importation of the good, all records necessary to demonstrate the good qualified for the preferential tariff treatment.
Article 4.18. Verification
1. For purposes of determining whether a good imported into its territory from the territory of another Party is an originating good, the importing Party may conduct a verification by means of:
(a) written requests for information from the importer, exporter, or producer;
(b) written questionnaires to the importer, exporter, or producer;
(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 4.17 or observe the facilities used in the production of the good, in accordance with any guidelines that the Parties develop pursuant to Article 4.21.2; or
(d) such other procedures to which the importing and exporting Parties may agree.
2. A Party may deny preferential tariff treatment to an imported good where:
(a) the exporter, producer, or importer fails to respond to a written request for information or questionnaire within a reasonable period, as established in the importing Party's law;
(b) after receipt of a written notification for a verification visit to which the importing and exporting Parties have agreed, the exporter or producer does not provide its written consent within a reasonable period, as established by the importing Party's law; or
(c) the Party finds a pattern of conduct indicating that an importer, exporter, or producer has provided false or unsupported declarations or certifications that a good imported into its territory is an originating good.
3. A Party conducting a verification shall provide the importer a determination, in writing, of whether the good is originating. The Party's determination shall include factual findings and the legal basis for the determination.
4. If an importing Party makes a determination under paragraph 3 that a good is not originating, the Party shall not apply that determination to an importation made before the date of the determination where:
(a) the exporting Party issued an advance ruling regarding the tariff classification or valuation of one or more materials used in the good under Article 5.10 (Advance Rulings);
(b) the importing Party's determination is based on a tariff classification or valuation for such materials that is different than that provided for in the advance ruling referred to in subparagraph (a); and
(c) the exporting Party issued the advance ruling before the importing Party's determination.
5. Where an importing Party determines through verification that an importer, exporter, or producer has engaged in a pattern of conduct in providing false or unsupported statements, declarations, or certifications that a good imported into its territory is originating, the Party may suspend preferential tariff treatment to identical goods covered by subsequent statements, declarations, or certifications by that importer, exporter, or producer until the importing Party determines that the importer, exporter, or producer is in compliance with this Chapter.
Article 4.19. Obligations Relating to Importations
1. Each Party shall grant any claim for preferential tariff treatment made in accordance with this Chapter, unless the Party issues a written determination that the claim is invalid as a matter of law or fact.
2. A Party may deny preferential tariff treatment to a good if the importer fails to comply with any requirement in this Chapter.
3. No Party may subject an importer to any penalty for making an invalid claim for preferential tariff treatment, if the importer:
(a) did not engage in negligence, gross negligence, or fraud in making the claim and pays any customs duty owing; or
(b) on becoming aware that such a claim is not valid, promptly and voluntarily corrects the claim and pays any customs duty owing.
4. Each Party may require that an importer who claims preferential tariff treatment for a good imported into its territory:
(a) declare in the importation document that the good is originating;
(b) have in its possession at the time the declaration referred to in subparagraph (a) is made a written or electronic certification as described in Article 4.15, if the certification forms the basis for the claim;
(c) provide a copy of the certification, on request, to the importing Party, if the certification forms the basis for the claim;
(d) when the importer has reason to believe that the declaration in subparagraph (a) is based on inaccurate information, correct the importation document and pay any customs duty owing;
(e) when a certification by a producer or exporter forms the basis for the claim, either provide or have in place, at the importer's option, an arrangement to have the producer or exporter provide, on request of the importing Party, all information relied on by such producer or exporter in making such certification; and
(f) demonstrate, on request of the importing Party, that the good is originating under Article 4.1, including that the good satisfies the requirements of Article 4.13.
5. Each Party shall provide that, where a good was originating when it was imported into its territory, but the importer of the good did not make a claim for preferential tariff treatment at the time of importation, that importer may, no later than one year after the date of importation, make a claim for preferential tariff treatment and apply for a refund of any excess duties paid as a result of the good not having been accorded preferential tariff treatment, on presentation to the Party of:
(a) a written declaration, stating that the good was originating at the time of importation;
(b) a copy of a written or electronic certification if a certification forms the basis for the claim, or other information demonstrating that the good was originating; and
(c) such other documentation relating to the importation of the good as the importing Party may require.
6. Each Party may provide that the importer is responsible for complying with the requirements of paragraph 4, notwithstanding that the importer may have based its claim for preferential tariff treatment on a certification or information that an exporter or producer provided.
7. Nothing in this Article shall prevent a Party from taking action under Article 3.2.7.
Article 4.20. Obligations Relating to Exportations
1. Each Party shall provide that:
(a) an exporter or a producer in its territory that has provided a written or electronic certification in accordance with Article 4.15 shall, on request, provide a copy to the exporting Party;
(b) a false certification by an exporter or a producer in its territory that a good to be exported to the territory of another Party is originating shall be subject to penalties equivalent to those that would apply to an importer in its territory that makes a false statement or representation in connection with an importation, with appropriate modifications; and
(c) when an exporter or a producer in its territory has provided a certification and has reason to believe that the certification contains or is based on incorrect information, the exporter or producer shall promptly notify in writing every person to whom the exporter or producer provided the certification of any change that could affect the accuracy or validity of the certification.
2. No Party may impose penalties on an exporter or a producer for providing an incorrect certification if the exporter or producer voluntarily notifies in writing all persons to whom it has provided the certification that it was incorrect.
Article 4.21. Common Guidelines
1. The Parties shall agree on and publish common guidelines for the interpretation, application, and administration of this Chapter and the relevant provisions of Chapter Two (National Treatment and Market Access for Goods) and shall endeavor to do so by the date of entry into force of this Agreement. The Parties may agree to modify the common guidelines.
2. The Parties shall endeavor to develop guidelines for conducting verifications pursuant to Article 4.18.1(c).
Article 4.22. Implementation
Colombia shall:
(a) implement Article 4.15.1(a), with respect to electronic certifications, no later than three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement; and
(b) implement Article 4.15.1(b) no later than three years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement.
Article 4.23. Definitions
For purposes of this Chapter:
adjusted value means the value determined in accordance with Articles 1 through 8, Article 15, and the corresponding interpretative notes of the Customs Valuation Agreement, adjusted, if necessary, to exclude any costs, charges, or expenses incurred for transportation, insurance, and related services incident to the international shipment of the merchandise from the country of exportation to the place of importation;
class of motor vehicles means any one of the following categories of motor vehicles:
(a) motor vehicles classified under subheading 8701.20, motor vehicles for the transport of 16 or more persons classified under subheading 8702.10 or 8702.90, and motor vehicles classified under subheading 8704.10, 8704.22, 8704.23, 8704.32, or 8704.90, or heading 87.05 or 87.06;
(b) motor vehicles classified under subheading 8701.10 or 8701.30 through 8701.90;
(c) motor vehicles for the transport of 15 or fewer persons classified under subheading 8702.10 or 8702.90, and motor vehicles of subheading 8704.21 or 8704.31; or
(d) motor vehicles classified under subheading 8703.21 through 8703.90;
fungible goods or materials means goods or materials that are interchangeable for commercial purposes and whose properties are essentially identical;
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles means recognized consensus or substantial authoritative support given in the territory of a Party with respect to the recording of revenues, expenses, costs, assets, and liabilities, the disclosure of information, and the preparation of financial statements. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles may encompass broad guidelines for general application, as well as detailed standards, practices, and procedures;
good means any merchandise, product, article, or material;
goods wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties means:
(a) plants and plant products harvested or gathered in the territory of one or more of the Parties;
(b) live animals born and raised in the territory of one or more of the Parties;
(c) goods obtained in the territory of one or more of the Parties from live animals;
(d) goods obtained from hunting, trapping, fishing, or aquaculture conducted in the territory of one or more of the Parties;
(e) minerals and other natural resources not included in subparagraphs (a) through (d) extracted or taken from the territory of one or more of the Parties;
(f) fish, shellfish, and other marine life taken from the sea, seabed, or subsoil outside the territory of one or more of the Parties by vessels registered or recorded with a Party and flying its flag;
(g) goods produced on board factory ships from the goods referred to in subparagraph (f), provided such factory ships are registered or recorded with that Party and fly its flag;
(h) goods taken by a Party or a person of a Party from the seabed or subsoil outside territorial waters, provided that a Party has rights to exploit such seabed or subsoil;
(i) goods taken from outer space, provided they are obtained by a Party or a person of a Party and not processed in the territory of a non-Party;
(j) waste and scrap derived from:
(i) manufacturing or processing operations in the territory of one or more of the Parties, or
(ii) used goods collected in the territory of one or more of the Parties, provided such goods are fit only for the recovery of raw materials;
(k) recovered goods derived in the territory of one or more of the Parties from used goods and utilized in the territory of one or more of the Parties in the production of remanufactured goods; and
(l) goods produced in the territory of one or more of the Parties exclusively from goods referred to in subparagraphs (a) through (j), or from their derivatives, at any stage of production;
identical goods means goods that are the same in all respects relevant to the particular rule of origin that qualifies the goods as originating;
indirect material means a good used in the production, testing, or inspection of a good but not physically incorporated into the good, or a good used in the maintenance of buildings or the operation of equipment associated with the production of a good, including:
(a) fuel and energy;
(b) tools, dies, and molds;
(c) spare parts and materials used in the maintenance of equipment and buildings;
(d) lubricants, greases, compounding materials, and other materials used in production or used to operate equipment and buildings;
(e) gloves, glasses, footwear, clothing, safety equipment, and supplies;
(f) equipment, devices, and supplies used for testing or inspecting the good;
(g) catalysts and solvents; and
(h) any other goods that are not incorporated into the good but whose use in the production of the good can reasonably be demonstrated to be a part of that production;
material means a good that is used in the production of another good, including a part or an ingredient;
material that is self-produced means an originating material that is produced by a producer of a good and used in the production of that good;
model line means a group of motor vehicles having the same platform or model name;
net cost means total cost minus sales promotion, marketing, and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, and non-allowable interest costs that are included in the total cost;
net cost of the good means the net cost that can be reasonably allocated to the good under one of the following methods:
(a) by calculating the total cost incurred with respect to all goods produced by that producer, subtracting any sales promotion, marketing, and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, and non-allowable interest costs that are included in the total cost of all such goods, and then reasonably allocating the resulting net cost of those goods to the good;
(b) calculating the total cost incurred with respect to all goods produced by that producer, reasonably allocating the total cost to the good, and then subtracting any sales promotion, marketing, and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, and non-allowable interest costs that are included in the portion of the total cost allocated to the good; or
(c) reasonably allocating each cost that forms part of the total cost incurred with respect to the good so that the aggregate of these costs does not include any sales promotion, marketing, and after-sales service costs, royalties, shipping and packing costs, and non-allowable interest costs, provided that the allocation of all such costs is consistent with the provisions regarding the reasonable allocation of costs set out in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
non-allowable interest costs means interest costs incurred by a producer that exceed 700 basis points above the yield on debt obligations of comparable maturities issued by the central level of government of the Party in which the producer is located;
non-originating good or non-originating material means a good or material that does not qualify as originating under this Chapter;
packing materials and containers for shipment means the goods used to protect a good during its transportation and does not include the packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale;
producer means a person who engages in the production of a good in the territory of a Party;
production means growing, mining, harvesting, fishing, raising, trapping, hunting, manufacturing, processing, assembling, or disassembling a good;
reasonably allocate means to apportion in a manner appropriate under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
recovered goods means materials in the form of individual parts that are the result of:
(a) the disassembly of used goods into individual parts; and
(b) cleaning, inspecting, testing, or other processes as necessary for improvement to sound working condition;
remanufactured goods means industrial goods assembled in the territory of a Party classified under Harmonized System Chapter 84, 85, 87, or 90 or heading 94.02, except goods classified under Harmonized System heading 84.18 or 85.16, that:
(a) are entirely or partially comprised of recovered goods; and
(b) have a similar life expectancy and enjoy a factory warranty similar to such new goods;
total cost means all product costs, period costs, and other costs for a good incurred in the territory of one or more of the Parties. Product costs are costs that are associated with the production of a good and include the value of materials, direct labor costs, and direct overhead. Period costs are costs, other than product costs, that are expensed in the period in which they are incurred, such as selling expenses and general and administrative expenses. Other costs are all costs recorded on the books of the producer that are not product costs or period costs, such as interest. Total cost does not include profits that are earned by the producer, regardless of whether they are retained by the producer or paid out to other persons as dividends, or taxes paid on those profits, including capital gains taxes;
used means utilized or consumed in the production of goods; and
value means the value of a good or material for purposes of calculating customs duties or for purposes of applying this Chapter.