January 15, 2009

Country Name Abbreviations

Q. Does USDA allow for the use of abbreviations for country names when declaring the country 

of origin and marking products for retail sale? 

A. In general, abbreviations are not acceptable. Only those abbreviations approved for use 

under CBP rules, regulations, and policies are acceptable. CBP does allow for some 

abbreviations or variant spellings for marking purposes. 

In determining the sufficiency of the abbreviation, CBP applies 19 CFR §134.45(b), which 

provides for “Approved Markings of Country Names.” Significantly, an abbreviation must 

“unmistakably indicate the name of the country.” ISO codes are used for statistical purposes. 

Most ISO codes do not unmistakably indicate the name of the country of origin. Therefore, they 

are not acceptable under 19 CFR §134.45(b). CBP does not have an official list of acceptable 

abbreviations. However, below is a compilation of some of the cases that CBP has handled on 

the subject in recent years. 

I. ACCEPTABLE ABBREVIATIONS 

China, Peoples Republic of

The abbreviations “P.R. China,” and “China” are acceptable for country of origin 

marking purposes for goods manufactured in the People’s Republic of China. 

SOURCE: HRL 730578, dated July 10, 1987. See also, HRL 560693, dated 

March 6, 1998. 

Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of

The markings "FYR Macedonia" and "F.Y.R.O.M. (Macedonia)" are acceptable. 

It is of no significance whether the abbreviations come before or after the word 

"Macedonia" provided that the abbreviations "FYR" or "F.Y.R.O.M." are adjacent 

to the word Macedonia and the words are in a comparable size. 

SOURCE: HRL 735526, dated April 28, 1994. 

Micronesia, Federated States of

Any of the following may be used to designate the country of origin of 

merchandise manufactured in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia: 

1) YAP, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA 

2) FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA 

3) MICRONESIA 

SOURCE: HRL 734856, dated December 23, 1992. 

Netherlands, The

"Netherlands" or "Holland” are acceptable abbreviations for The Netherlands. 

SOURCE: HRL 785083, dated August 5, 1993. 

Northern Ireland
January 15, 2009

The marking “Made in the U.K.” is acceptable for goods made in the United 

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 

SOURCE: HRL 732101, dated April 5, 1990. 

Philippines, Republic of the

The word PHILIPPINES may be hyphenated and placed on two lines, or written as 

“PHILIPNES.” 

SOURCE: HRL 727843, dated July 3, 1985. 

Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of

The abbreviation “Saudi” is an acceptable abbreviation for country of origin 

marking purposes because it unmistakably identifies the Kingdom of Saudi 

Arabia as the country of origin of the article. 

SOURCE: 561026, dated July 24, 1998. 

United Kingdom

“U.K.” is an acceptable country of origin marking for the United Kingdom. 

SOURCE: HRL 735379, dated June 15, 1994 (citing T.D. 74-103(1), April 17, 1974)). 

The marking “Made in the U.K.” is acceptable for goods made in the United 

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 

SOURCE: HRL 732101, dated April 5, 1990. 

II. REJECTED ABBREVIATIONS 

Argentina

"Arg" or "Argtin" are not acceptable abbreviations for the Argentine Republic. 

SOURCE: HRL 733104, dated March 15, 1990. 

Canada

“CDA" is not an acceptable abbreviation for Canada. 

SOURCE: HRL 724336, dated January 16, 1984. 

"CAN" is not an acceptable abbreviation for Canada. 

SOURCE: HRL 722566, dated September 14, 1983. 

China, People’s Republic of

“PRC” is not an acceptable abbreviation for articles imported from the People’s 

Republic of China. 

SOURCE: HRL 727372, dated March 18, 1985. See also, HRL 730578, dated 

July 10, 1987; HRL 560693, dated March 6, 1998. 

Czech Republic

In T.D. 93-17 (March 3, 1993), Customs notified the public that the Czech and 

Slovak Federal Republic (CSFR or Czechoslovakia) ceased to exist and was 
January 15, 2009

succeeded by two separate and independent states, the Czech Republic and the 

Slovak Republic. Customs received informal advice from The U.S. Board of 

Geographic Names [sic] that there is still no short form name for the "Czech 

Republic", and that it would not support the designation "Czech" to indicate the 

country of origin of a product of the Czech Republic. Therefore, products of the 

Czech Republic imported on or after January 1, 1994, must be marked "Czech 

Republic," or "Czech Rep." The variant spelling "Republik" is also acceptable. 

SOURCE: HRL 735099, dated September 20, 1993. 

The abbreviations “CZ” and CR” are not acceptable for purposes of 19 CFR 

134.45(b) for goods made in the Czech Republic. 

SOURCE: HRL 560978, dated July 24, 1998. 

Dominican Republic

The abbreviation “DOM REP.” does not unmistakably indicate the name of the 

country of origin to an ultimate purchaser without any guesswork and is neither 

the recognized short form name or long form name for this country according to 

the U.S. Department of State. Therefore, this abbreviation is unacceptable for 

purposes of 19 CFR 1304. 

SOURCE: HRL 561028, dated September 21, 1998. 

European Community/ European Union

The European Community is a organization of sovereign states, operating largely 

as a customs union not a nation state. Until such time as the EC might achieve 

full political union, and its member countries divest themselves of independent 

status as states, the names "EC" and "European Community" cannot be used as 

country names for marking purposes. 

SOURCE:Â HRL 734667, June 16, 1993. 

"EU" is not acceptable for country of origin marking purposes. 

SOURCE: 734820, dated April 21, 1994. 

Germany, Federal Republic of

Because "West Germany" is no longer recognized as a country, this marking is 

unacceptable. Likewise, the markings “Made in FRG” and “Made in GDR” 

would not be allowed. Instead, the word "Germany" must be used, without 

distinction as to east or west, or "Federal Republic of Germany" 

SOURCE: O.C.O.D. 90-221 Customs Bulletin 45/46, November 14, 1990. 

The abbreviations “D,” “G” and “Ger” are not acceptable abbreviations under 19 

CFR 134.45(b) for goods manufactured in the Federal Republic of Germany. 

SOURCE: HRL 560978, dated July 24, 1998. 

Hong Kong

"H.K." is not an acceptable abbreviation for Hong Kong. 

SOURCE: 735281, dated February 24, 1994. 
January 15, 2009

Hungary, Republic of

"Hun" or "Hung" are not acceptable abbreviations for Hungary. 

SOURCE: HRL 733104, dated March 15, 1990. 

Indonesia, Republic of

“IN" is not an acceptable abbreviation for the Republic of Indonesia. 

SOURCE:Â HRL 734443, dated June 3, 1992. 

The abbreviation “INDO” does not unmistakably indicate the name of the country 

of origin to an ultimate purchaser without any guesswork and is neither the 

recognized short form name or long form name for this country according to the 

U.S. Department of State. Therefore, this abbreviation is unacceptable for 

purposes of 19 CFR 1304. 

SOURCE: HRL 561028, dated September 21, 1998. 

Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of

The Department of State has also advised that the conventional long form name as 

approved by the United States Board of Geographic Names is The Former 

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and that there is presently no acceptable shortform name. They have also specifically declared that the name "Macedonia" by 

itself should not be used and that "Republic of Macedonia" is also not an 

appropriate alternative. The name is provisional and subject to future review. 

However, Customs believes that most consumers will not recognize 

"F.Y.R.O.M." as an abbreviation for The Former Yugoslav Republic of 

Macedonia. 

SOURCE: HRL 735526, dated April 28, 1994. 

Mexico

The abbreviation “Mex” does not unmistakably identify Mexico as the country of 

origin of the product and is not an acceptable country of origin marking for 

purposes of 19 U.S.C. 1304. 

Source: HRL 561442, dated July 19, 1999. 

Micronesia, Federated States of

Yap, which is both the name of an island grouping and an island in the Federated 

States of Micronesia, is neither an independent state with which the U.S. 

maintains diplomatic relations nor a colony, possession or protectorate outside the 

boundaries of the mother country. Therefore, neither "YAP" by itself nor "YAP, 

F.S.M." constitute acceptable markings. 

SOURCE: HRL 734856, dated December 23, 1992. 

Netherlands, The

"NL" is not an acceptable abbreviation for the Netherlands. 

SOURCE: HRL 785083, dated August 5, 1993. 
January 15, 2009

Philippines, Republic of the

“Phil” is not an acceptable abbreviation for the Republic of the Philippines. 

SOURCE: HRL 727843, dated July 3, 1985. 

Russian Federation

“RF” is not an acceptable abbreviation for the Russian Federation. 

SOURCE: HRL 559931, dated July 11, 1996. 

Singapore

“SINGPR” is an unacceptable abbreviation which does not unmistakably indicate 

the country of origin in compliance with the requirements of 19 U.S.C. 1304. 

SOURCE: HRL 561306, dated April 15, 1999. 

Scotland

Goods manufactured in Scotland must be marked to indicate the country of origin 

by the following choice of words: "Scotland", "United Kingdom", or "Great 

Britain." 

SOURCE: HRL 734937, dated March 17, 1993. 

The abbreviations "U.K." or "Gt. Britain" are acceptable. 

SOURCE: T.D. 74-130(1) (April 17, 1974). 

United Arab Emirates

The abbreviation “UAE” does not unmistakably indicate the country of origin, 

United Arab Emirates, to the ultimate purchaser and is not in compliance with 19 

U.S.C. 1304. 

SOURCE: HRL 561083, dated November 5, 1998. 

Venezuela, Republic of

"VZLA" or VENZLA” are not acceptable abbreviations for the Republic of 

Venezuela. 

SOURCE: HRL 731799, dated May 15, 1989. 

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CBP guidance on abbreviations 2008-10-31.doc