Article 15 Non-alteration

The originating products declared for home use in a Party shall be the same products as exported from the other Party in which they obtained originating status. They shall not have been altered, transformed in any way or subjected to operations other than to preserve them in good condition or than adding or affixing marks, labels, seals or any other documentation to ensure compliance with specific domestic requirements of the importing Party, prior to being declared for home use.

Storage of products or consignments may take place in a non-Party provided that they remain under customs supervision in the non-Party.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Title V, the splitting of consignments may take place in the territory of a non-Party where carried out by the exporter or under his responsibility provided they remain under customs supervision in the non-Party.

In the case of doubt as to whether the conditions provided for in paragraphs 1 to 3 are complied with, the customs authorities may request the declarant to provide evidence of compliance, which may be given by any means, including contractual transport documents such as bills of lading or factual or concrete evidence based on marking or numbering of packages or any evidence related to the goods themselves.