While ‘Made in PRC’ label is used as an alternative for describing the country of origin for Chinese products, it often carries more negatives than positives
Made in PRC is a Country of Origin label that has grown in popularity in recent years. For eCommerce businesses, using this term might be an attractive alternative to ‘Made in China’, but there are a few things to consider. If you’re planning to use this label on your product, keep reading to learn what Made in PRC means and how to use it when sourcing from China.
The meaning of Made in PRC
The term ‘Made in PRC’ stands for ‘Made in People’s Republic of China’. It’s a Country of Origin label that is being increasingly used as an alternative to ‘Made in China’ for products sourced from China.
The main reason behind using ‘Made in PRC’ is that it is vague and can help avoid the negative connotations some consumers associate with products marked with ‘Made in China’. While ‘PRC’ still means ‘China’, many consumers don’t immediately recognize it, leading them to think it’s another country.
What is Country of Origin labeling?
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is a labeling law that requires retailers to clearly show in which country a centrain product was made. While this law differs from region to region, it provides a wide range of benefits:
- Keep consumers informed about the products they want to buy by providing clear information about the country of origin.
- Enforcing trade regulations and ensuring fair competition.
- Supporting local industries: Some customers prefer to buy products manufactured locally.
- Promoting products: Some countries have a better reputation when it comes to manufacturing certain products.
- Ensuring transparency in the supply chain by showcasing the source of products.
Is using ‘Made in PRC’ legal when sourcing from China?
Before using ‘Made in PRC’ for China sourcing, it’s important to understand the legalities behind it. In China, it is legal to use the term by manufacturers. However, importing from China with ‘Made in PRC’ and selling them in other countries is often illegal.
Many countries require ‘China’ to be clearly shown on the Country of Origin label. The United States Customs and Border Protection has specifically restricted the use of ‘Made in PRC’ for products imported to the USA.
In Europe, the regulations are a bit different. Depending on the product category, you may be able to use a ‘Made in PRC’ label in certain countries. However, remember that these regulations are constantly changing, so you should carefully check the laws regarding the Country of Origin labeling in the place you are selling in.
Five misconceptions about ‘Made in PRC’
The use of acronyms and abbreviations for Country of Origin labeling is always a source of confusion, and ‘Made in PRC’ is no exception. Here are 5 misconceptions people have about this term:
- ‘Made in PRC’ is different from ‘Made in China’
Who has the time to memorize the official names of nearly 200 countries? This is exactly the case here. Made in PRC, which stands for People’s Republic of China, is just the official name used to refer to mainland China. There’s no difference between ‘Made in China’ and ‘Made in PRC’.
- Products made in China have poor quality
This is by far the most common misconception about ‘Made in PRC’ and Chinese-made products. In the past few decades, China has become a bustling manufacturing hub capable of producing high-quality goods across a wide array of industries. This even includes the iPhone, which is renowned for its outstanding quality.
- ‘Made in PRC’ is legal for imported products
While it’s legal to produce made-in-PRC-labeled products in China, importing them is another story. Even if the customs of some countries allow your ‘Made in PRC’ products to pass through the borders one time, this may change at any point in the future.
- Raw materials used in products made in PRC are also from China
‘Made in China’ refers to products that are assembled or manufactured in China. Raw materials are not required to be from the same country nor need to be disclosed on every package.
- ‘Made in PRC’ is the only alternative to ‘Made in China’
While ‘Made in China’ is the most common label, some other alternatives are also used, but not all can be accepted in some countries. Other variations include ‘Manufactured in China’, ‘Assembled in China’, and many others.
The approved use of Made in PRC/China in the US
The United States is very strict in terms of labeling products imported from China. The Customs and Border Protection laws say that the name of the country of origin must be clearly stated and written in English.
Labels accepted in the US include Made in China, Made in P.R. China, and Made in China P.R. Country of origin labels that are not allowed in the US include Made in PRC, P.R.C, and People’s Republic, C.
Made in HK/Hong Kong vs Made in PRC: What’s the difference?
Made in HK, or Made in Hong Kong, is a Country of Origin label that refers to Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region in China. This means that while the city is part of China geographically, its regulations, laws, and even currency, are different from the rest of China.
‘Made in HK’ has long been perceived somewhat more positively than labels such as ‘Made in PRC’ or ‘Made in China’. However, things have changed in the past few years. In 2020, the US requested that products made in Hong Kong be also labeled ‘Made in China’. Other countries have not followed suit, so if your products are manufactured in Hong Kong, you can still use the label.
Should you use ‘Made in PRC’ or ‘Made in China’?
While using ‘Made in PRC’ can be allowed in some countries, it is still an unfamiliar term for most consumers. It’s better to keep the Country of Origin label clearly written and just focus on sourcing quality products from China. At the end of the day, having good products is what improves customer trust and satisfaction, regardless of the label.
If you need help with China sourcing, our team at Lansil Global can help you connect with 2,000+ trusted factories. Our team of sourcing agents can find you quality products at competitive prices, all while advising you on the proper label to use in the country you’re selling in.
To learn how to source from China’s best suppliers, contact our sales team today.
