The paper documents the first global database on product-specific rules of origin (RoO) mapped with bilateral tariff rates. The database is constructed by ITC and at present covers a sample of 270 preferential trade agreements among more than 190 countries. The paper provides a number of initial insights and stylized facts based on the database as well as possible applications in the domain of economic modelling of the impact of trade agreements. It also highlights challenges and complications based on the insights from the database that will have to be taken into account during construction of restrictiveness estimates of rules of origin. With regard to restrictiveness of rules of origin, the paper analyses both product-specific origin criteria and regime-wide origin provisions in 271 preferential trade agreements. Besides providing methodological steps and factors towards constructing a restrictiveness index of RoO, the paper further suggests potential application of the database in future studies.