How To Complete a USMCA Certificate of Origin

Completing a certificate of origin is essential if you want to take advantage of preferential tariff treatment provided under USMCA import standards. There are numerous fields you’ll need to obtain information for, and you’ll need to ensure other regulatory matters are taken care of beforehand. 

Key takeaways:

• Due to U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada, USMCA preferential tariff treatment is your one shot at reducing current import expenses. 
• You must verify which one of the four USMCA origin criteria applies to your products prior to completing your certificate of origin.
• When filling out a USMCA certificate of origin, you’ll need to indicate who the certifier is, provide information on all parties, write a product description, give the correct HTS code, and much more.
• Common mistakes include incorrect HTS codes or origin criteria, improperly using blanket periods, and leaving sections incomplete.

This is a lot of information to cover, so let’s get into the details. 

Take Advantage of USMCA Trade Deals

USMCA helps importers in the U.S. and exporters in Canada and Mexico. The primary benefit of this free trade agreement (FTA) is that it removes tariffs on goods traded between the three countries. However, many exporters in Canada and Mexico and importers in the U.S. haven’t  taken full advantage of the USMCA. Let’s take a look at some data that backs this up. 

The primary reason importers and exporters in both countries might not have taken advantage of USMCA is due to the U.S.’s Most Favored Nation Rates (MFN). These have reduced tariffs on many goods from Mexico and Canada, but this is no longer the case. 

Unfortunately, the U.S. placed heavy tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods in April 2025. Products from both nations receive a 25% tariff, while energy and potash have a 10% tariff. 

All foreign made vehicles also receive a 25% tariff and foreign made auto parts have a tariff of 25% as of May 3, 2025. This is relevant because many American automotive companies conduct a portion of their manufacturing in Mexico. 

While certain exemptions have been made, especially for the automotive industry, these tariffs do make importing from Canada and Mexico more expensive than before. The good news is that you can still take advantage of USMCA’s preferential tariff treatment to avoid these additional costs. 

This involves proving your Canadian or Mexican goods meet the USMCA’s rules of origin criteria and providing a certificate of origin. In the next section, we’ll start by looking at the criteria your goods must meet.

How To Meet USMCA Origin Criterion

Importers and exporters must prove their goods meet the USMCA’s rules of origin to ensure they receive preferential duty treatment. To do this, your goods will need to adhere to one of four rules of origin.

These are: 

• Criterion A: Products are wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more USMCA countries. 
• Criterion B: Products are produced entirely in one or more of USMCA countries using non-originating materials.
• Criterion C: Products are produced in a territory of one or more of the USMCA countries exclusively from originating materials.
• Criterion D: Products are produced entirely in a territory of one or more of the USMCA countries. The materials used must satisfy the “unassembled goods” requirement and either: 1) meet a regional value content not less than 60% if the transaction value method is used, or 2) meet a regional content value less than 50% if the net cost method is used. Products listed in Chapters 61-63 of the HTSUS aren’t eligible for the 50% or less regional content value.

You can see that some criterion are easier to meet than others. Criterion D, specifically, has several additional requirements and limitations. 

Even if your goods meet USMCA rules of origin, this still won’t be enough to receive preferential tariff treatment. You need to provide proof via a certificate of origin.

Who Can Complete A Certificate of Origin?

Both importers, exporters, and producers can fill out USMCA certificates of origin. The only thing that will change is the name of the document based on whose providing it. In Mexico, the form is called the T-MEC certificate of origin, while in Canada it’s called the CUSMA certificate of origin. 

Steps for Completing A USMCA Certificate of Origin

The USMCA doesn’t require a specific format for certificates of origin. However, it does need to have some key pieces of information. In the following sections, we’ll go through each of these data elements. 

1. Identifying as the Importer, Exporter, or Producer of the Certification of Origin

This is where you indicate who you are as the certifier of the document. You’ll either mark yourself as the importer, exporter, or the producer. This section of the certificate of origin tells the reviewer who filled out the document. 

2. Certifier, Exporter, Producer, and Importer Information

The certificate of origin must provide basic information about the certifier, exporter, producer, and importer. If you are the one filling it out, your own information should be easy — just make sure you include all the other parties as well.

Here are the details required for each part:

• Name
• Address
• Country
• Phone Number
• Email
• Tax Identification Number

This information is used by the reviewer to verify the origin of the goods and to ensure all parties can be reached if there’s a problem with the shipment. 

3 Product Description and HTS Classification

Next, you’ll provide a description of your products and the appropriate HTS classification. The description you give should be in layman’s terms, but it must be sufficient for the reviewer to identify the products that are being imported.

Since the new tariffs were implemented, you may want to consider having your HTS code confirmed by a professional broker. This way, you can ensure that the classification and description you are providing is accurate. 

Finding your HTS code on your own can be a hassle. Use our HTS Look Up Tool to find yours in a matter of minutes. 

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4. Origin Criteria

This part of the document is where the five origin criterion we’ve talked about come into play. You’ll have to state which origin criteria applies to the goods you’re importing. This can be done in three different ways. 

• Write Article 4.2 (originating goods) of the USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC, including Article 4.2 A, Article 4.2 B, Article 4.2 C, Article 4.2 D, or Article 4.2 E 
• Duplicate the product specific rule of origin for the imported products
• Write “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D”

While any of the statements are acceptable, the first two options are most preferred by customs authorities. 

5. Blanket Period

This section only needs to be filled out if your certificate of origin will cover multiple imports of identical products. If this is the case, write the date range for the specified period. That said, the specified period can be no longer than 12 months. Therefore, you should make sure the dates you provide abide by this requirement. 

Commercial importers will find this is easiest when they work with a brokerage service that has a partnership with a cross border freight provider. Planning ahead will make it much easier to take advantage of blanket periods.  

6 Authorized Signature and Date

The certifier of the document is responsible for filling out the final section of the documents. A signature is required, but so is other information about the certifier.

This includes:

• Date 
• Phone number
• Certifier’s Company 
• Email 

This section of the certificate of origin also requires the following certification statement:

“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.”

Once you’ve finished this section, your certificate of origin will be complete. Be sure to provide it as well as the supporting documents when arranging imports to cross the border.

Mistakes To Avoid When Filling Out Your Certificate

There are numerous mistakes that you can make when filling out your USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC. We’ve provided a list of the most common errors you should know about. 

• Incorrect HTS code
• Incorrect origin criterion
• Improper use of blanket certifications
• Incomplete sections

Providing the correct HTS code for imports is essential, and USMCA eligible goods are no different. Writing the wrong code could disqualify your entire shipment for preferential tariff treatment. 

You can run into a similar problem if you put the wrong origin criteria for your goods as well. Each criterion has specific requirements, and putting the incorrect one for your shipment can confuse customs authorities. 

Some importers or exporters will use a blanket period for multiple imports or exports of goods that aren’t identical. This isn’t how the blanket period should be used. You should double-check products in each shipment to ensure they’re all the same so you don’t end up causing more difficulties than you’re solving. 

It may seem obvious, but leaving even one small section of the document incomplete will ruin the whole shipment. Take the time to review your document for any fields that still need to be filled. 

Even better, hiring a Licensed Customs Broker to help fill out the certificate of origin is the surest way to guarantee your document is correct.

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USA Customs Clearance Is Ready To Help You with USMCA Requirements

Here at USA Customs Clearance, we can help you complete your USMCA certificate of origin. Our team consists of experienced and licensed customs brokers. They’re familiar with all of USMCA’s guidelines, and they’ll be able to assist you. With their support, we’re able to provide a variety of services and documents you’ll need when importing. 

This includes:

• Import/Customs Consulting: Meet with one of our customs brokers 1-on-1, where you’ll learn how to fill out your certificate of origin and discuss other USMCA requirements.
• Importer Record of Registration: Assisted filing for first time importers to register with CBP. 
• Manifest Confidentiality: Protect the details of your supply chain from competitors that could use it against you.  

Get the help with your USMCA certificate of origin and other related requirements from USA Customs Clearance. Get started with our services, or call our team at (855) 912-0406. You can also reach out to our team with more questions on our contact page. Start your USMCA importing endeavors today!