How to Tell What Country a Company Makes Its Products In

In today’s global economy, products are made all over the world. As consumers, it can be hard to know exactly where the things we buy are made. Whether you're shopping for clothes, electronics, or furniture, knowing where a product comes from can influence your buying decisions. Some people want to support local businesses, while others may prefer to choose more eco-friendly or ethically produced items.

Here’s a guide on how to tell where a company makes its products so that you can make more informed choices when you shop.

1. Check the Product Label or Tag

One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to find out where a product is made is to check the product label or tag. This information is often required by law in many countries, including the United States.

  • Clothing and Apparel: Look at the care tag inside your clothes. It should list the country of origin (e.g., “Made in the USA” or “Made in China”).
  • Electronics and Appliances: On products like phones, computers, or kitchen appliances, you’ll often find a label or sticker on the back or bottom of the product. It will tell you where the item was assembled or manufactured.
  • Furniture: Similar to clothing, furniture often includes a tag that shows where it was made. It can usually be found on the bottom or hidden inside a drawer.

While the label often tells you where the final product was made, it may not always reveal where the raw materials came from or where various components were sourced.

2. Research the Manufacturer’s Website

If the product label or tag doesn’t provide enough information, the next best step is to visit the manufacturer’s official website. Many companies are transparent about where their products are made and will often provide this information on product pages, FAQs, or “About Us” sections. Some companies even take pride in their local manufacturing and emphasize it in their branding and marketing materials.

  • Search for “Manufacturing Locations” or “Where We Make Our Products”: A lot of businesses list their manufacturing facilities and offices in these sections. If a company is focused on American-made products, they’ll likely highlight this fact.
  • Look for Sustainability Reports: Ethical and sustainable brands are often open about their sourcing and manufacturing processes. They may provide detailed reports or statements on their environmental impact, which often includes information about where they source and produce their goods.

3. Look for Certifications and Labels

Certifications and third-party labels can provide clues about where and how a product was made. Here are some labels to look out for:

  • “Made in the USA” or “Made in X Country”: Many products will proudly display the country of origin on their packaging or marketing materials. In the U.S., for example, “Made in the USA” means that the product was manufactured in the United States.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Products with this label are produced under fair labor conditions, and the certification often requires products to be made in certain countries, usually developing nations, where fair trade principles are followed.
  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): For textiles, GOTS certification ensures that the fabric was made in a sustainable, ethical way. The certification provides details about both the production process and the country of origin.
  • B Corp Certification: B Corporations meet high standards of social and environmental performance. While this doesn’t always tell you exactly where the product is made, it often gives insight into how the company operates and where its operations are located.

4. Check Third-Party Retailers

If you’re buying a product from a retailer (like Amazon, Walmart, or Target), sometimes the product description will mention where it was made. This is particularly common for well-known brands or popular products. However, this information can be vague or hard to find on third-party retailer websites. Here are a few tips:

  • Product Descriptions: Look for any mention of the country of origin in the product description. If the description doesn’t mention it, check the product images or ask the seller directly.
  • Customer Reviews: Occasionally, customers will mention where the product is made in their reviews. This can be a good way to find out more about a product, especially if it's something with a more obscure brand.
  • Questions & Answers Section: On platforms like Amazon, customers and sellers can ask and answer questions. You can often find out more information about where a product is made by searching the Q&A section.

5. Ask the Company Directly

If all else fails, you can always contact the company directly to ask where their products are made. Many companies have customer service teams who can provide you with information about their manufacturing locations.

  • Call or Email: Look for contact information on the company’s website or the packaging of the product. Don’t be afraid to ask specifically about where their products are manufactured.
  • Social Media: Companies are very active on social media and often respond quickly to customer inquiries. You can send a direct message or post a question on their public pages.

6. Use Online Databases and Resources

Several online tools and databases track product origins and company manufacturing locations. Websites like Made in a Free World and Global Labor Justice can help you find out more about where products are made and how they were sourced. These websites often focus on ethical sourcing and manufacturing, so they may provide additional details about the conditions of the labor force used to make products.

7. Know the Supply Chain

For more advanced shoppers, you may want to dig deeper into a company’s supply chain. Companies with global operations often source materials and components from various countries before assembling them into finished products in another. This can make it difficult to pin down exactly where a product is made.

  • Ask About Parts and Components: Some brands will disclose where their parts come from. For example, many electronics brands manufacture components like processors in one country but assemble the final product in another.
  • Supply Chain Transparency: Some companies, especially those committed to sustainability and ethical production, are increasingly transparent about their entire supply chain, including where raw materials are sourced and how the supply chain impacts the environment.

Conclusion

Knowing where a product is made is important for consumers who want to make informed choices about what they buy. Whether you want to support local businesses, ensure the product meets specific quality standards, or make a more eco-friendly decision, understanding where a product comes from can guide your purchasing decisions.

Start by checking labels, researching online, and using third-party resources. And if you can’t find the information you need, don’t hesitate to ask the company directly. By taking the time to learn where a product is made, you’re making a choice that aligns with your values—whether it’s supporting local economies, ethical practices, or environmental sustainability.