Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1547450
NOVEMBER 2026 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 43 EMS providers' OEM customers are responsible for import and duty. Under turnkey work, the EMS provider is not the importer of record. The turnkey- or-consigned choice determines who purchases materials. Duty follows the OEM's border entry decisions. Ultimately, the OEM decides whether to absorb it, pass it through, or relocate. Before the figure reaches the EMS program team, our Modeler feature runs up to three origin scenarios and displays the tariff hit, the split, and the workforce impact of moving manufacturing. Another feature, the Atlas, then indicates whether the alternate origin is just as concentrated and exposes whether a supply chain corridor or a policy sits above it. UFLPA forced-labor risk and Entity List proximity are flags that also show on origins. A separate HTS classification, and the stack attached to that line, can be reviewed alongside the code in the OEM customer's quote. The MFN rate on that line is only a few percent. A buyer who glances at it may treat it as a rounding error. The stack exposes the actual figure: A stack for a wire harness product may reveal, for example, a Section 301 at 25% for China origin, plus the forced-labor 301 layer. The wire harness serves as a material duty line, demonstrating that the stack is origin-driven. If the OEM moves final assembly to India or Vietnam while the harness remains China- origin, Section 301 will remain. Duty follows the harness entry, not the assembly location. What's the usage model? The model is a license, not a subscription, with considerable free information. At no charge, any visitor can open a report on an electronics HS line. It shows the effective duty rate for China (baseline), Mexico, Vietnam, and India. One more origin can be added to the same compar- ison. It does not open the rest of the report. A one-year or lifetime license key opens the full HTS Supply Intelligence Report, the Electronics Sourcing Risk Atlas, and the Workforce and Sourcing Scenario Modeler. One key covers every tool. The key arrives by email. Paste it once. No account, no password, no subscription, and no auto-renewal. The China, Mexico, Vietnam, and India set is our default comparison. The rule-by-rule stack, Atlas, and Modeler are what the license key opens. SMT007 FEATURE Q&A The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to... Design for Test: A Practical Guide to Test and Inspection by Bert Horner, The Test Connection, Inc. Chapter 5: What Does It All Mean? How to Be Successful Design for Test is not just a checklist; it's a mindset. It bridg- es discipline, reduces risk, and drives quality. But to achieve lasting success, it must be em- bedded into the way teams think, collaborate, and execute. In this chapter, we reflect on the journey so far and provide a roadmap for turn- ing knowledge into action. From best practices and team collaboration to sustaining a test-first culture, this chapter offers practical guidance for organizations ready to elevate their test strategy. Summary of Best Practices A consistent set of DFT practices can significantly improve both product quality and test efficiency when applied early and maintained throughout the development cycle. One of the most impor- tant steps is to start early by introducing test and inspection considerations during schematic cap- ture and component selection rather than waiting until the layout is complete. This approach helps avoid costly redesigns and ensures that access and coverage are built into the design. Continue reading... BOOK EXCERPT