Rule 7 - Minimal operations and processes - Customs Tariff (Determination of Origin of Goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement between the Governments of Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of India) Rules, 2009

7. Minimal operations and processes.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, a product shall not be considered originating in a party if the following operations are undertaken exclusively by itself or in combination in the territory of that party:- (a) operations to ensure the preservation of products in good condition during transport and storage (such as drying, freezing, keeping in brine, ventilation, spreading out, chilling, placing in salt, sulphur dioxide or other aqueous solutions, removal of damaged parts, and like operations); (b) simple operations consisting of removal of dust, sifting or screening, sorting, classifying, matching (including the making-up of sets of articles), washing, painting, cutting; (c) changes of packing and breaking up and assembly of consignments; (d) simple cutting, slicing and repacking or placing in bottles, flasks, bags, boxes, fixing on cards or boards, and all other simple packing operations; (e) affixing of marks, labels or other like distinguishing signs on products or their packaging; (f) simple mixing of products whether or not of different kinds, where one or more components of the mixture do not meet the conditions laid down in these rules to enable them to be considered as originating products; (g) simple assembly of parts of products to constitute a complete product; (h) disassembly; (i) slaughter which means the mere killing of animals; and (j) mere dilution with water or another substance that does not materially alter the characteristics of the products. (2) For textiles and textile products listed in the Annexure II annexed to these rules, an article or material shall not be considered to be originating in a party by virtue of merely having undergone any of the following:- (a) simple combining operations, labelling, pressing, cleaning or dry cleaning or packaging operations, or any combination thereof; (b) cutting to length or width and hemming, stitching or overlocking fabrics which are readily identifiable as being intended for a particular commercial use; (c) trimming and/or joining together by sewing, looping, linking, attaching of accessory articles such as straps, bands, beads, cords, rings and eyelets; (d) one or more finishing operations on yarns, fabrics or other textile articles, such as bleaching, waterproofing, decating, shrinking, mercerizing, or similar operations; or (e) dyeing or printing of fabrics or yarns.