AfCFTA Rules of Origin Eligibility Checklist

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11 critical items still open - these are the highest-risk gaps.

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Market and tariff basics

Both the exporting and the importing country are State Parties that apply AfCFTA preferences to your product.CRITICALThe product is classified at HS six-digit level and the classification is documented.CRITICALThe importing country's AfCFTA tariff schedule offers a preferential rate for that line, and it is not on an excluded or sensitive list.CRITICALYou know the current phase-down rate and the date it applies.You have compared the preferential rate with other available regimes, such as a regional economic community scheme.

Origin criterion

The product is either wholly obtained or substantially transformed in a State Party.CRITICALThe product-specific rule for your HS line has been located in the rules of origin appendix.CRITICALYou have tested the rule: change of tariff heading, value added or maximum non-originating content, or a specific process.Bills of materials show which inputs are originating and which are imported from outside the area.CRITICALValue calculations use a documented, reproducible method and a stated price basis.Operations that are insufficient on their own, such as simple packaging or labelling, are not relied on for origin.The tolerance or de minimis allowance, if you use it, is calculated and recorded.

Supplier evidence and cumulation

Supplier declarations or origin statements exist for each originating input.CRITICALDeclarations are current and linked to the item and supplier in your ERP.Any cumulation claim covers materials or processing from other State Parties, with evidence.Imported non-originating inputs have commercial invoices and customs entries on file.Costing records are retained to support value-added calculations.A named person reviews origin data before each certificate application.CRITICAL

Shipment and certificate

The goods travel directly between the State Parties, or any transit is documented as allowed.CRITICALThe commercial invoice, packing list and transport documents are consistent with the origin claim.You know which authority or agency issues the certificate of origin in your country.CRITICALThe certificate application includes goods description, HS code, quantity and origin criterion.Certificates are numbered, filed and linked to the shipment in your ERP.Records are kept for the period required by customs and available for verification requests.CRITICALA process exists for post-clearance verification queries from the importing country.

A product with open critical items should not be shipped under a preferential claim. Rules, schedules and procedures are updated as the agreement is implemented, so confirm details with your customs authority.

Origin data from your BOM

Optional: we outline how to hold supplier origin statements against bill of materials lines in your ERP.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use this checklist

Pick one product and one destination market, then work through the groups. Start with the tariff basics to see whether a preference exists. Then test the origin criterion against your bill of materials. Supplier evidence and the shipment documents come last, because there is no point collecting certificates for a product that fails its rule. Repeat per product family.

One checklist per product and destination.
Start with HS classification.
Use the export to support the certificate application.

How origin is decided

Goods qualify if they are wholly obtained in the area or substantially transformed there. Substantial transformation is tested using product-specific rules, which depend on the HS line and may require a change in tariff heading, a minimum regional value added, a cap on non-originating content or a specific process. Because the rule is product specific, there is no single percentage that works for every product.

Reading your results

Gaps in the supplier evidence group are the most common blocker. A product may qualify on paper but fail verification because origin statements are missing or inputs are not traceable. Link supplier declarations and bill of materials data in your ERP, so each finished good can show which inputs are originating without a manual hunt.

Fix traceability before the first claim.
Keep costing records for value calculations.
Check direct consignment for transit routes.

Common mistakes

Frequent mistakes include assuming a product qualifies because it is assembled locally, using a wrong HS code, forgetting that the importing country's schedule may exclude or phase the line, and treating packaging as sufficient processing. Another is losing track of supplier declarations after the certificate is issued, which makes a later verification request difficult to answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does AfCFTA rules of origin mean?

They are the criteria that decide whether a product counts as originating in the free trade area and so qualifies for preferential tariffs. They include wholly obtained goods and substantial transformation under product-specific rules.

Is there a single percentage for local content?

No. Requirements are product specific. Some products use a change of tariff heading, others a value-added threshold or a specific process, so check the rule for your HS line.

Who issues the certificate of origin?

A designated authority in the exporting State Party issues it, often a revenue authority, chamber or trade agency. Confirm the issuing body and form requirements with your customs authority.

Do all goods get a preferential rate straight away?

No. Tariff liberalisation is phased and some products are on sensitive or excluded lists. Check the importing country's schedule for your product and the current stage.

Netray can help structure the BOM and supplier origin data in your ERP so origin evidence for each shipment is a query, not a scramble.

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AfCFTA Rules of Origin Eligibility Checklist for African Manufacturers