United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

An importer can claim the agreement's preferential tariff treatment on the basis of a certification of origin completed by the importer, the exporter or the producer (19 CFR 182.11). The claim is made on the entry summary by putting “S” or “S+” before the HTSUS subheading of each qualifying good (19 CFR 182.11).

The certification can be written or electronic, in no prescribed format, and can appear on an invoice or any other document except one issued in a country outside the agreement. It must be in the importer's possession when the claim is made, and a blanket certification can cover identical goods for up to 12 months (19 CFR 182.12).

No copy of the certification of origin is required for a non-commercial importation, or for a commercial importation of originating goods valued at $2,500 or less, unless CBP finds the shipment is one of a series split up to avoid the requirement (19 CFR 182.14).

The importer keeps the records that show the goods qualify for at least five years from the date of importation (19 CFR 182.15).

If no claim was made at entry, the importer can claim a refund of the excess duties within one year of the date of importation (19 CFR 182.31).

The rules of origin for the agreement are set out in General Note 11 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Our certificates of origin page covers origin paperwork for exports, and import customs clearance covers the entry side. The US Trade Representative publishes the agreement text and summary.