Navigating Complex Rules of Origin to Unlock Preferential Duty Savings

Client Profile: Global manufacturer / OEM / Distributor operating across multi-country supply chains with production and sourcing spanning the UK / EU / Asia / other regions

The outcome

The project identified approximately £26M in annual duty savings through improved utilisation of preferential trade agreements across key trade lanes, while reducing the risk of post-clearance audits and retroactive duty exposure.

Frontiera helped translate complex rules of origin requirements into practical operational processes, improving transparency over origin data, strengthening compliance controls, and supporting a more strategically optimised supply chain aligned to long-term customs outcomes.

 

Frontiera Customs - Navigating Complex Rules of Origin to Unlock Preferential Duty Savings

The challenge

The client was importing goods across mutiple jurisdictions under variuos Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

  • Uncertainty around origin qualification due to complex Bills of Materials (BOMs)
  • Multiple production strages across different countries
  • Inconsistent or incomplete supplier origin data
  • Risk of incorrect preference claims and potential post-clearance exposure
  • Missed opportunities to optimise duty under available FTAs

In several cases, products were being imported under MFN rates despite potential eligibility for preferential treatment..

Frontiera Customs - Navigating Complex Rules of Origin to Unlock Preferential Duty Savings

Our approach

Frontiera delivered a structured origin review programme, including: 

  • End-to-end mapping of supply chains and production processes
  • Detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) analysis at component level
  • Assessment against relevant Product Specific Rules (PSRs)
  • Indentification of applicable origin rules e.g., CTC, RVC, specific processing 
  • Supplier engagement to obtain and validate origin declarations
  • Gap analysis of existing origin documentation and processes

We then:

  • Evaluated alternative sourcing and production scenarios to achive origin
  • Provided clear origin determinations with supporting rationale
  • Designed internal controls with policies, processes and procedures for ongoing origin management

Our solution

A robust origin framework enabling the client to: 

01

Confidently determine origin status across product lines

02

Support preference claims with compliant documentation e.g., statements on origin / supplier declarations

03

Standardise origin assessment processes across regions

“

Frontiera transformed our approach to duty management

Frontiera transformed our approach to duty management, delivering immediate savings while ensuring full compliance.

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