A USMCA certificate of origin helps importers claim preferential tariff treatment for qualifying goods traded between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Despite the name, USMCA has no mandatory certificate form. You may use a standard template or any other document that includes the required information, as long as the products comply with the agreement’s rules of origin.
USMCA Certificate of Origin Template
- USMCA Certification of Origin Template – C.H. Robinson — Excel template for completing shipment and origin information.
- USMCA Certification Guidance – U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Official U.S. customs guidance on certification and preferential tariff claims.
What Information Must the Certificate Include?
A USMCA certificate of origin must include nine minimum data elements:
| Required Information | What to Include |
|---|---|
| 1. Certifier's role | Specify whether the certifier is the importer, exporter, or producer |
| 2. Certifier details | Name, title, address, and contact information |
| 3. Exporter details | Exporter's name, address, and contact information |
| 4. Producer details | Producer's name, address, and contact information, subject to applicable exceptions |
| 5. Importer details | Importer's name, address, and contact information, if known |
| 6. Product description | Description of the goods and their six-digit HS classification |
| 7. Origin criterion | The applicable USMCA rule of origin |
| 8. Blanket period | Start and end dates for multiple shipments of identical goods, if applicable |
| 9. Signature and date | Authorized signature, date, and required certification statement |
The importer, exporter, or producer can complete the certification, provided they have sufficient information to support the goods’ originating status.
A certification may cover a single shipment or multiple shipments of identical goods over a period of up to 12 months.
For imports into the United States, the importer must have a valid certification when claiming preferential tariff treatment and be able to provide supporting documentation if requested by customs authorities.
Does USMCA Apply to Goods Shipped from China?
Goods manufactured in China generally do not qualify for USMCA preferential tariff treatment, even if they are shipped to the United States, Mexico, or Canada through another North American country.
USMCA eligibility depends on whether a product meets the agreement’s rules of origin, not simply its shipping route. For example, a Chinese-made product shipped through a warehouse in Mexico does not become USMCA-originating merely by passing through the country.
However, products manufactured in North America using Chinese components may qualify for USMCA benefits if they meet the applicable product-specific rules of origin.
Before claiming preferential tariff treatment, importers should verify the product’s HS classification, manufacturing process, and relevant origin requirements.
Check Origin Documents Before Customs Clearance
A USMCA certificate must accurately reflect the goods being imported. Before claiming preferential tariff treatment, importers should verify the certification details and keep supporting records to substantiate the origin claim.
For Chinese-origin goods that don’t qualify under USMCA, importers should follow the destination country’s customs requirements, including tariff classification, country-of-origin declarations, and duty payments.
If you’re shipping from China to North America, ASLG can help coordinate freight documentation and customs-related arrangements through our customs clearance and brokerage services.
