SOURCING INTELLIGENCE · USAAlbuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Alternative origins, screened before they are proposed

An alternative origin is only an alternative if it passes the tests that matter for your product: duty treatment, compliance, capability, capacity and logistics. We screen origins against these tests before putting them in front of you.

Illustration: overhead view of railway tracks on ballast with a red plate
THE SCREENING CRITERIA

What we check for each origin

DUTY TREATMENT
base duty and any additional measures that may apply to the product from that origin.
TRADE REMEDIES
whether antidumping or countervailing duty orders cover the product from that origin.
RULES OF ORIGIN
whether the product would genuinely originate there (substantial transformation, or trade-agreement rules where relevant).
COMPLIANCE
US requirements for the product (safety, labeling, emissions, documentation) and the supplier's ability to meet them.
CAPABILITY & CAPACITY
whether manufacturers there make this product at the required standard and volume.
LOGISTICS
routes, transit time and port options to your delivery points.
SUPPLY RISK
concentration, continuity and documentation quality.
ORIGINS WE SCREEN

A qualitative comparison framework

The table below shows which origins we typically screen for each sector. It is a starting point for analysis, not a ranking: the answer for your product depends on its classification, specification and volumes.

SCREENING FRAMEWORK — NOT A RANKING
SectorOrigins typically screened
FurnitureVietnam · Malaysia · Indonesia · India
Flooring & TileVietnam · India · Thailand · Türkiye
Kitchen, Bath, Doors & WindowsVietnam · India · Türkiye
Appliances & HousewaresVietnam · India · Thailand
Home Textiles & DecorIndia · Vietnam · Pakistan · Türkiye
All sectors — North American optionMexico, where products qualify under USMCA rules of origin
Comparing origins on explicit criteria
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE — NOT A CLIENT CASE, NOT A RANKING

Illustrative comparison of a current origin and two alternatives on seven criteria rated favorable, neutral, unfavorable or to confirm. In this example, alternative A becomes a candidate for samples; alternative B is excluded until its trade-remedy status is cleared.

CriterionCurrent originAlternative AAlternative B
DUTY TREATMENTUnfavorableFavorableTo confirm
TRADE REMEDIESNeutralFavorableUnfavorable
RULES OF ORIGINFavorableFavorableTo confirm
COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATIONFavorableTo confirmNeutral
CAPABILITY & CAPACITYFavorableNeutralFavorable
LOGISTICS & LEAD TIMENeutralNeutralFavorable
SUPPLY RISKUnfavorableNeutralNeutral
ReadingBaselineCandidate for samplesExcluded until trade-remedy status is cleared

Current origin

  • DUTY TREATMENTUnfavorable
  • TRADE REMEDIESNeutral
  • RULES OF ORIGINFavorable
  • COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATIONFavorable
  • CAPABILITY & CAPACITYFavorable
  • LOGISTICS & LEAD TIMENeutral
  • SUPPLY RISKUnfavorable

Reading: Baseline

Alternative A

  • DUTY TREATMENTFavorable
  • TRADE REMEDIESFavorable
  • RULES OF ORIGINFavorable
  • COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATIONTo confirm
  • CAPABILITY & CAPACITYNeutral
  • LOGISTICS & LEAD TIMENeutral
  • SUPPLY RISKNeutral

Reading: Candidate for samples

Alternative B

  • DUTY TREATMENTTo confirm
  • TRADE REMEDIESUnfavorable
  • RULES OF ORIGINTo confirm
  • COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATIONNeutral
  • CAPABILITY & CAPACITYFavorable
  • LOGISTICS & LEAD TIMEFavorable
  • SUPPLY RISKNeutral

Reading: Excluded until trade-remedy status is cleared

POINTS OF ATTENTION

Where alternatives fail

Trade remedies follow products, not just countries. Antidumping and countervailing duty orders can cover a product from several origins. An origin that looks attractive can carry its own order.

Transshipment is not an alternative. Goods only routed or lightly processed through a third country keep the origin of manufacture. We screen for genuine production capability.

Compliance travels with the product. A cheaper origin is no help if the supplier cannot document the US requirements for the product.

Sanctions are a hard stop. Origins, suppliers and routes subject to US sanctions are excluded from every analysis.

Should this origin go to samples?

Six successive questions decide whether an origin goes to samples: sanctions, trade-remedy coverage, genuine origin, compliance documentation, capability and capacity, then landed cost and lead time. An origin that passes all six moves to samples, a pilot order, then a volume decision.

  1. Q1Sanctioned origin, supplier or route?
    Yes: ExcludedNo: continue to Q2
  2. Q2Trade-remedy order covering the product from this origin?
    Yes: Excluded unless scope review clears itNo / cleared: continue to Q3
  3. Q3Genuine production there under rules of origin?
    No: ExcludedYes: continue to Q4
  4. Q4Can the supplier document US compliance requirements?
    No: On hold — documents requestedYes: continue to Q5
  5. Q5Capability and capacity confirmed?
    No: On hold — audit or referencesYes: continue to Q6
  6. Q6Landed cost and lead time competitive on the same basis?
    No: Not retainedYes: Samples → pilot order → volume decision
Samples → pilot order → volume decision

Screen an origin for your product

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