Why is a shipping address an incomplete answer?
HMRC's UK guidance explains that origin concerns where goods are grown, produced or manufactured and is not necessarily where they are shipped or bought. It also distinguishes applicable origin rules. This is a useful evidence distinction; UK guidance does not establish a US customs determination.
RFQ Templates is independent and is not affiliated with HMRC. This worksheet is for procurement documentation, not customs, tax or legal advice. The actual destination rules and any preferential-origin claim need review by the responsible trade professional.
Sources: HM Revenue and Customs: Check your goods meet the rules of origin
What should the supplier response request?
Tie the response to the offered equipment and configuration. A supplier may ship from a warehouse that differs from the manufacturing location. A general company profile or distributor address cannot resolve the item-specific origin question.
| Field | Evidence | Review action |
|---|---|---|
| Offered item | Equipment tag, model and configuration | Match the same offered goods |
| Claimed origin | Supplier declaration and stated basis | Keep unsupported claims open |
| Manufacturing evidence | Relevant producer or process evidence | Do not infer origin from brand headquarters |
| Dispatch | Actual shipping point and quoted logistics scope | Keep separate from origin |
| Trade claim | Any specific preference or certificate claim | Route for destination-specific review |
| Change control | Supplier notification if the offered source changes | Reconcile commercial and compliance assumptions |
How can the warehouse answer leave an origin gap?
Illustrative example. A fictional switchgear supplier lists Warehouse A as the dispatch point. The response does not identify the offered equipment's claimed origin or provide supporting evidence. The buyer records dispatch confirmed, origin evidence open, rather than copy Warehouse A's country into both fields.
The supplier later provides an item-linked declaration for review. The worksheet records the declaration, its date and the responsible reviewer's disposition. The example does not decide the correct country, calculate duties or establish eligibility for any preference.
What should remain separate during quote comparison?
Compare equipment scope, logistics, origin evidence and any destination-specific conditions in their own rows. If the basis is missing, show the unresolved assumption and its owner. Do not assign a tariff, assert compliance or label the quote equivalent solely because its dispatch point matches another supplier's.
Before placing an order, reconcile approved origin representations with the final offered configuration and required evidence. Ask the responsible specialist to determine the applicable rules. This process does not certify goods or guarantee customs treatment.
Common questions
What else should the bid team know?
Does a distributor's address prove equipment origin?
No. Request an item-specific claim and its supporting basis.
Does a UK source determine US customs treatment?
No. The responsible professional must apply the destination-specific rules.
Should missing origin evidence be filled from the brand name?
No. Keep the item open and request verified evidence.
Primary sources
- Check your goods meet the rules of originHM Revenue and Customs