Taiwan Issues New COO Requirement for Exports of Chinese Chipmaking Tools to US

Taiwan is requiring a certificate of origin and customs approval before certain Chinese-origin chipmaking equipment can be shipped to the U.S. The requirement will apply to shipments of certain “machine tools operated by laser processes, of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of printed circuits, printed circuit assemblies, parts” or “parts of automatic data processing machines,” Taiwan's Bureau of Foreign Trade announced this month.

The agency said the new certificate of origin requirement will help Taiwan better track shipments from China subject to the 25% U.S. Section 301 tariffs. “These amendments are intended to prevent machine tools made in mainland China from being transshipped through the Republic of China and avoid the additional tariffs imposed by the United States,” Taiwan said.

Exporters planning to ship the Chinese machine tools to the U.S. must “apply to the issuing agency for a Certificate of Origin with the Republic of China as the country of origin” before the goods can be released by Taiwan’s customs. “Then, the exporters shall apply for the completion process within 30 days after the Certificate of Origin has been issued,” Taiwan said.