On November 30, 2018, Canada, the United States, and Mexico signed the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) / United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) / Tratado entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá (T-MEC). This agreement will modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by addressing current trade challenges in key industries, such as agriculture and automotive, and making improvements to better facilitate the free flow of goods between all three countries. Tariff-free access to markets will continue and provisions have been included for important issues like intellectual property, labour standards, gender equality, and indigenous peoples’ rights. 

All three countries have now submitted formal notification of their ratification and the new agreement will replace the current NAFTA and come into force on July 1, 2020.

New Proof of Origin Requirements

In order to claim the preferential tariff treatment for each country under CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC, a set of data elements referred to as a ‘certification origin’ must be provided by the exporter, producer or importer of the goods by adding the information to any document (e.g., Commercial Invoice) accompanying the shipment, or if preferred, by providing it on a separate document. In addition, the imported goods must originate* and be exported from a CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC country. 

The 'Certification of Origin' can be completed in English, French, or Spanish and will not follow a prescribed format, however, the following minimum data elements must be included:

1. Indicate the Certifier (Importer, Exporter or Producer)

Please note that Mexico will only begin accepting the ‘Importer’ as the Certifier, for goods imported into Mexico, beginning January 1, 2024.

2. Name, Address (including country) and Contact Information of the Certifier

3. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Exporter (if different from the certifier) 

4. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Producer (if different from the certifier, or exporter)

5. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Importer

6. Description and HS Tariff Classification (6-digit level) for the Goods (include invoice number, if known)

7. Origin Criterion for the Goods, as set out in Article 4.2: Originating Goods of the CUSMA Rules of Origin

8. Blanket Period (date range up to 1 calendar year)

9. Authorized Signature and Date

The certification* will need to be signed and dated by the certifier and accompanied by the following 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."

In lieu of the new Certification of Origin, FedEx will accept the following low-value certifying statement for commercial shipments valued below CAD$3300 (**see chart below).

“I hereby certify that the goods covered by this shipment qualifies as an originating good for the purposes of preferential treatment under USMCA/T-MEC/CUMSA.”

All information is subject to change and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Next Steps for Importing into Canada

1. FedEx strongly recommends that importers/exporters/producers re-evaluate and re-certify their goods to ensure they qualify for preferential treatment under the new agreement (e.g., Rules of Origin).

2. Current NAFTA certificates should be replaced with the equivalent ‘Certification of Origin’ required under the new CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC.

3. Current processes will need to be updated to ensure that the new ‘Certification of Origin’ is either referenced on, and/or is provided with the accompanying shipment documentation.

4. Advanced rulings for origin under the new CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC must be obtained. NAFTA origin advance rulings will not be valid once the new agreement comes into force.

You can quickly and easily prepare your shipping labels and Certification of Origin for your CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC shipments using your FedEx electronic shipping solution and FedEx^® Electronic Trade Documents. Please find your FedEx electronic shipping solution below and follow the steps.