Providing Overall Consistency in Origin Determination
The Harmonized Non-Preferential Rules of Origin is expected to prevent discrepancies in origin determination among WTO Member countries. The rules do not allow any loophole in origin determination and they should present only one origin to each good.
Contribution to Trade Facilitation
Harmonization means that a single origin can be determined for all non-preferential commercial policy purposes. Both private and public sectors can anticipate being able to know a clear and predictable origin outcome by application of a single set of Rules of Origin.
Customs officers and traders may face a significant task in implementing the Harmonized Rules of Origin once they are operational.
However, in the long run, the benefits of harmonization will be widely appreciated in the same way as the Harmonized System Nomenclature.