Practice areas > Applying Rules of Origin Criteria to Import Procedures

DR-CAFTA creates unique rules of origin for each product, essentially based upon a tariff classification. Products qualify as “originating” goods under DR-CAFTA if they have content or processing specific to one of the member countries. Products with some input in either material or processing from a non-member country can still qualify if they meet criteria set out in their corresponding Rule of Origin, as provided in Chapter 4 of the Agreement.

As a general rule, DR-CAFTA requires that products with a non-member country contribution either (1) have a defined percentage of member country input (regional value content method of qualification) or (2) have a defined transformation in a member country (tariff shift method of qualification).

Qualifying products under DR-CAFTA is unique; one cannot summarily analogize to NAFTA or the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement, for example. At Fuerst Ittleman, customs professionals are well-versed in DR-CAFTA’s specific requirements for product compliance and the application of its rules of origin criteria to import procedures.

Fuerst Ittleman is aware that the implementation of these Rules of Origin upon certain industries may not be having, as yet, the intended effect of creating inroads for member countries into the market share of Asian competitors. For example, the apparel industry (and therefore, the textile industry) is still dealing with the issue of the yarn-forward rule flexibilities contained in DR-CAFTA, and the implementation of reverse cumulation agreements. Clients in these markets accordingly have specific DR-CAFTA needs that Fuerst Ittleman is ready to address.

Questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact attorneys at Fuerst Ittleman at for assistance with your DR-CAFTA issues.