W/O Origin Criterion in Certificate of Origin (C/O)

The W/O (Wholly Obtained) criterion refers to the origin rules in a Certificate of Origin (C/O), applied exclusively to products entirely produced in a specific country, group of countries, or territory.
Under this criterion, any non-wholly obtained materials or components added during production will disqualify the product from meeting W/O conditions.
Example: ST25 rice grown, harvested, and processed entirely in Vietnam qualifies for the W/O criterion.

List of Products Meeting the W/O Criterion

List of Products Meeting the W/O Criterion

According to Decree 31/2018/ND-CP, the following products are considered wholly obtained:

• Plant-based products (rice, coffee, tea, fruits)
• Live animals and animal-based products (cattle, poultry, milk, eggs)
• Minerals extracted from the national territory
• Seafood caught in a country’s territorial waters
• Reprocessed products derived from W/O materials

Examples: Iron ore mined in Australia, fish caught in Japanese waters.

Benefits and Challenges of Meeting the W/O Criterion

Benefits:

• Tariff incentives: W/O products often enjoy 0% tariffs under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
• Increased product value: Clear origin enhances product credibility.
• National branding: Strengthens a country’s position in global markets.

Challenges:

• Limited raw material sources: Not all countries have sufficient resources to meet W/O criteria.
• Strict verification requirements: Complex procedures to certify origin.
• International competition: Countries with abundant raw materials have a competitive advantage.