What is a USMCA certificate of origin?
A USMCA certificate of origin is a trade document that certifies goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It replaced the NAFTA certificate of origin when the new agreement took effect on July 1, 2020.
When goods are traded between the US, Mexico, and Canada, importers can claim reduced or zero customs duties — but only if they can prove the goods meet the agreement’s rules of origin. The certificate of origin is that proof. Without it, standard duty rates apply, which can significantly increase costs.
Unlike NAFTA, USMCA allows the importer, exporter, or producer to complete the certification. It also doesn’t require a specific form — any document containing the required minimum data elements is acceptable, including an invoice or a standalone certificate.
What should a USMCA certificate of origin include?
USMCA specifies minimum data elements that must be included:
- Certifier Information: Whether the certifier is the importer, exporter, or producer, along with their name, title, address, phone, and email
- Exporter and Producer Details: Name, address, and contact information (if different from the certifier)
- Importer Details: Name, address, and contact information of the importer
- Goods Description: A description of each good being certified, including the HS tariff classification number (6-digit minimum)
- Origin Criteria: The specific rule of origin each good satisfies (e.g., tariff shift, regional value content, wholly obtained)
- Blanket Period: If the certification covers multiple shipments of identical goods, the period it covers (up to 12 months)
- Authorized Signature: The certifier’s signature and date, with a declaration that the information is true and accurate
Last updated: March 2026