Question 17
Domain 2: Classification under HTSUSDie-cut steel scissors were bolted together and manufactured as completely finished scissors in China, fitted with rubberized non-slip grips handles in Germany, and ultimately imported into the United States. What is the correct country of origin and marking method?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Country of origin is where the scissors were “manufactured as completely finished scissors,” so China is the origin under 19 CFR 134 marking rules. The German grips are only a later addition and do not change origin; imported goods must be marked with the country of origin, here “Made in China,” by die stamping under 19 USC 1304.
Why each option is right or wrong
A. "Made in Beijing" printed on a hangtag.
Country-of-origin marking uses the actual origin country, not the city of manufacture.
B. "Made in China" printed on a sticker attached to the scissors.
The mark must show the country of origin, not be limited to a sticker method.
C. "Made in China" die stamped into the scissors.
Under 19 U.S.C. 1304 and 19 CFR Part 134, the marking country is the country of manufacture where the article last underwent substantial transformation into the finished good; here, the scissors were completely manufactured in China, so China remains the origin despite later handle grips added in Germany. For steel articles like scissors, the required permanent marking method is die stamping unless an exception applies, so the proper marking is a durable “Made in China” die stamp on the scissors themselves.
D. "Made in Germany" printed on a hangtag
Germany added grips only after manufacture; that later processing does not create origin.