Certification of Origin (USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC) Template
The free-trade certification for US–Mexico–Canada shipments. Has no prescribed form, but must carry all nine required data elements.
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Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada
Indicate whether the certifier is the IMPORTER, EXPORTER or PRODUCER of the goods.
| Item | 6 Description of Goods | 6 HS Tariff Classification | 7 Origin Criterion | Country of Origin | Quantity | Unit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I certify that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. I assume responsibility for proving such representations and agree to maintain and present upon request or to make available during a verification visit, documentation necessary to support this certification.
About this document
The USMCA certification of origin claims preferential duty on goods traded between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Unlike its predecessor it has no prescribed government form. But it does have nine required data elements, and a certification missing any of them can be rejected regardless of how the goods actually qualify.
No form, but nine mandatory elements
The certification can appear on an invoice or any other document, provided it contains: the certifier's role, the certifier, exporter, producer and importer details, a description and tariff classification of the goods, the origin criterion, the blanket period if applicable, and a signed authorised certification statement. Because there is no official template, the omissions are what get caught rather than the formatting.
The origin criterion is the substantive claim
Goods qualify by being wholly obtained, by being produced entirely from originating materials, or by meeting a product-specific rule involving a tariff shift or a regional value content threshold. The criterion stated is the basis on which you are claiming duty relief, and it is the thing an audit tests. It is not a formality to be copied from a previous shipment.
Anyone can certify, and anyone certifying is responsible
Under USMCA the importer, exporter or producer may complete the certification. Whoever does takes responsibility for it, and must be able to substantiate the claim on request. Where an exporter certifies on the basis of a producer's information, get that information in writing and keep it. Retrospective verification is the norm, not the exception.
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Keep building your document set
- Commercial InvoiceGoods, values and payment details.
- Packing List — DetailedPackages, weights and dimensions.
- Certificate of OriginThe declared origin of your goods.
- Bill of LadingShipper, consignee and cargo details.
- Shipper's Letter of InstructionInstructions for your freight forwarder.
- Verified Gross Mass DeclarationThe verified weight of a packed container.
Questions
+Is there an official USMCA form?
No. Unlike NAFTA's CBP Form 434, USMCA prescribes no form. Any document containing the nine required data elements and a signed certification is acceptable.
+Can one certification cover multiple shipments?
Yes, using a blanket period of up to twelve months for identical goods. State the period on the certification, and remember it commits you for every shipment inside it.
+What is regional value content?
A calculation of how much of a good's value originates in the USMCA region, used where a tariff shift alone does not qualify the good. The thresholds and the permitted calculation methods vary by product.
+How long must I keep the records?
At least five years from the date of certification, and the party who certified must be able to produce them. Verification often happens well after the goods have been sold on.
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