With the increasing frequency of global trade, country-specific trade statistics serve as an essential foundation for the government in formulating economic policies with their trading partners and in conducting international economic and trade negotiations. They also constitute an indispensable foundation for market research and operational analysis in the private sector. Accordingly, Customs Administration urges importers to accurately declare the country of origin for imported goods to ensure the integrity and quality of trade statistics.
Customs Administration emphasizes that, in accordance with the United Nations’ International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) standards, countries should use the country of origin as the statistical basis when declaring imported goods. Pursuant to the Import Section of the Customs Manual for Advance Cargo Declaration and Clearance, Box 36 of the import declaration form requires the name of the country of origin and its corresponding code. For example, if the imported goods are primarily manufactured in Vietnam, but are shipped from Hong Kong to Taiwan while the foreign seller is located in Singapore, the country of origin must be declared as Vietnam – not Singapore or Hong Kong. 
After reviewing recent import trade statistics, Customs Administration identified several recurring errors in country-of-origin declarations. Importers are therefore reminded to carefully review and comply with proper reporting practices. Common errors include: 
1. Confusion Caused by Similar Pronunciation of English Country Names 
For instance, some importers have mistakenly selected SZ (Eswatini) instead of CH (Switzerland) due to similarities in pronunciation.
2. Typographical Errors Resulting from Adjacent Keyboard Keys 
Examples include entering ST (Sao Tome and Principe) instead of SG (Singapore), KE (Kenya) instead of KR (Republic of Korea), or CH (Switzerland) instead of CN (China).
To maintain the accuracy and credibility of trade statistics, importers are strongly urged to exercise due diligence when declaring the country of origin and its corresponding code.

Phone: (02)2550-5500 ext.2806