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Certificate of Origin (USMCA)Template

A USMCA Certificate of Origin is a certification document used to claim preferential tariff treatment for goods traded between the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

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USMCA CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

Certifier
ABC Exports Inc.
1250 Commerce Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90017 United States
Exporter
ABC Exports Inc.
1250 Commerce Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90017 United States
Producer
Pacific Manufacturing Co.
500 Industrial Way Portland, OR 97201 United States
Importer
Canadian Distribution Ltd.
123 Trade Avenue Toronto, ON M5V 2K8 Canada
Blanket Period
From: 01 Jan 2025To: 31 Dec 2025
Additional Information
Products manufactured at Portland facility.
DESCRIPTION OF GOODSHS TARIFFORIGIN CRITERIONCOUNTRY
Stainless Steel Cookware Set (12pc)7323.93BUnited States
Non-stick Frying Pan 28cm7615.10CUnited States
Kitchen Utensil Set (5pc)8215.99BUnited States
Certification

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.

Place and Date of Issue
Los Angeles 10 Jan 2025
Signatory Company
ABC Exports Inc.
Name of Authorized Signatory
John Smith
I further certify that I am the:
Exporter
Signature
Sample document with realistic data

What is a USMCA Certificate of Origin used for?

The USMCA Certificate of Origin (also known as CUSMA in Canada or T-MEC in Mexico) replaced the NAFTA Certificate of Origin on July 1, 2020. Unlike NAFTA, USMCA does not require a specific government-issued form—any format is acceptable as long as it contains the 9 minimum data elements required by the agreement.

This certification allows importers to claim preferential duty rates, including exemption from certain tariffs that would otherwise apply to non-originating goods. The certificate can be completed by the importer, exporter, or producer, and may cover a single shipment or multiple shipments of identical goods over a blanket period of up to 12 months.

The key difference from the standard Certificate of Origin is that USMCA certificates require specific origin criteria codes (A, B, C, or D) that indicate how the goods qualify for preferential treatment. Proper certification is essential for duty savings and compliance with trade regulations between the three North American countries.

Claiming preferential (reduced or zero) tariff rates under USMCA
Certifying that goods originate in the US, Canada, or Mexico
Documenting how products meet USMCA rules of origin
Supporting customs declarations for North American trade
Enabling duty-free treatment for qualifying goods
Covering multiple shipments with a blanket certificate
Stating the origin criterion (A, B, C or D) the goods are certified under

How to create a Certificate of Origin (USMCA)

1

Enter certifier information

Add the details of the person or company making the origin certification (importer, exporter, or producer).

2

Complete party details

Fill in the exporter, producer, and importer information. If multiple producers, indicate "Various" and attach details.

3

Describe the goods

Add product descriptions with HS tariff classification numbers at the 6-digit level minimum.

4

Specify origin criteria

Select the appropriate origin criterion (A, B, C, or D) that explains how each product qualifies for USMCA treatment.

5

Sign and certify

Add certification date, blanket period if applicable, and authorize with signature to complete the certificate.

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Your questions, answered.

USMCA replaced NAFTA on July 1, 2020. Key differences include: USMCA has no required government form (any format with 9 data elements is acceptable), different origin criteria codes (A-D instead of A-F), stricter automotive rules of origin, a higher de minimis threshold (10%, up from NAFTA's 7%), and labor value content rules for vehicles.
Annex 5-A of USMCA Chapter 5 lists them as: (1) whether the certifier is the importer, exporter or producer; (2) the certifier's name, title, address (including country), telephone number and e-mail address; (3) the exporter's name, address, e-mail address and telephone number, if different from the certifier; (4) the producer's details, if different (or "Various", or "Available upon request by the importing authorities"); (5) the importer's details, if known; (6) a description of the good and its HS tariff classification to the 6-digit level, plus the invoice number if the certificate covers a single shipment and the number is known; (7) the origin criterion; (8) the blanket period, if it covers multiple shipments of identical goods for up to 12 months; and (9) the certifier's signature and date, with the certification statement set out in the Annex.
The letters follow Article 4.2 (a) to (d). A = wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more Parties (Article 4.3). B = produced entirely in the territory using non-originating materials, and the product-specific rule in Annex 4-B is met (usually a change in tariff classification, sometimes regional value content). C = produced entirely in the territory exclusively from originating materials. D = a narrow case: non-originating parts cannot meet the Annex 4-B rule because they and the good are classified in the same subheading (or the same heading not further subdivided), or the good was imported unassembled but classified as assembled, and the regional value content is at least 60% (transaction value) or 50% (net cost); it does not apply to textiles and apparel of Chapters 61 to 63.
The certification can be completed by the importer, exporter, or producer of the goods. The certifier takes responsibility for the accuracy of the information. If completed by the importer based on producer/exporter knowledge, the importer must reasonably believe the information is accurate.
A blanket certificate covers multiple shipments of identical goods over a specified period of up to 12 months. This eliminates the need to create a new certificate for each shipment. The blanket period dates must be clearly stated, and the certificate must be renewed annually.
No, unlike NAFTA, there is no official government-issued form required. Any document format is acceptable as long as it contains the 9 minimum data elements specified in the agreement. This can include commercial invoices with certification language.
Records supporting the origin certification must be maintained for at least 5 years from the date of the certification. This includes production records, purchase invoices, costing information, and any other documentation used to determine origin.
If goods are found to not qualify for preferential treatment, the importer may be liable for the full duty amount plus interest and potential penalties. Certifiers who provide false information may face sanctions. Voluntary disclosure of errors may reduce penalties.
Yes, but automotive goods have stricter rules under USMCA. Vehicles must meet 75% regional value content (increased from NAFTA's 62.5%), and certain components require 70-75% North American content. Passenger vehicles and light trucks must also meet a labor value content requirement.
A USMCA Certificate is only needed to claim preferential tariff treatment. If goods are already duty-free under MFN (Most Favored Nation) rates, or if you choose not to claim preference, no certificate is required. However, having one documented is recommended for compliance.
The sample on this page is free to download as a PDF, no sign-up. You can create USMCA Certificates of Origin on ovrseas during the 14-day free trial (no credit card); after that it is $15 for a week, $20 a month or $192 a year. The template is laid out around the Annex 5-A minimum data elements and the four origin criterion codes; check the finished certificate against Annex 5-A before you sign. Whether your goods qualify, and which criterion applies, is for the certifier to decide.
Under Article 4.12, a good that fails its tariff-classification change only because of some non-originating materials can still be originating if the value of those materials is no more than 10% of the transaction value or total cost of the good (and the good meets every other requirement). Annex 4-A lists goods this does not apply to. Textile and apparel goods follow their own de minimis rule in Chapter 6. De minimis is not a separate criterion code: the good is still certified under the criterion it otherwise meets, usually B.

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