How to Complete a CUSMA/USMCA Certificate of Origin

The nine required data elements

CUSMA in Canada, USMCA in the United States, and T-MEC in Mexico are the same agreement. Its certification of origin has no prescribed format. It can be a separate form, an invoice, or another document, as long as all nine elements in Annex 5-A appear.

The old NAFTA forms no longer work for these claims. CBP stopped accepting Form 434, and CBSA limits Form B232 to eligible goods released under NAFTA. [CBSA] [19 CFR 182.12] [CBP fact sheet] [CBSA D11-4-14]

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Required statement The certification must include: “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.”

When you need a certification of origin

You need one when an importer claims CUSMA preferential tariff treatment on originating goods. It is not needed just because a truck crosses the border, and goods that do not qualify should not be certified. Low-value shipments have separate exceptions.

Carrier note The certification supports the importer's duty claim. It does not replace ACI or ACE manifest filing, a PARS or PAPS number, or a customs invoice. [CBSA D11-4-2] [19 CFR 182.14]

Who can complete and sign it

The importer, exporter, or producer can complete the certification. A carrier, broker, or other third party cannot certify in its own right. A third party can sign only on behalf of one of those three, with knowledge of the goods' origin and legal authority such as a power of attorney.

Good to know CBP may not require an exporter or producer to complete a certification or give one to another person. The U.S. importer remains responsible for the truthfulness of its claim, even when another party prepared the document. [CBSA D11-4-14] [19 CFR 182.12] [19 CFR 182.13]

Does the good qualify?

A good qualifies under one of four criteria in Article 4.2. Being shipped from Canada, the United States, or Mexico is not enough. Determine the HS classification first, then confirm the rule for that product before anyone signs.

1. Classify the good. Get the HS code for the finished product, and confirm it with your broker if you are unsure.
2. List the materials. Identify each material's origin and classification.
3. Find the product rule. Check Annex 4-B for that HS code. A rule might require a tariff shift, regional value content, or both.
4. Test the good. Confirm that every non-originating material meets the rule, or that an allowance such as the 10% de minimis rule applies.
5. Keep the file. Save the bill of materials, costs, supplier statements, and your analysis.

Schedule goods For a good listed in the applicable schedule, Canada calls for the words “Schedule 2 of the CUSMA Rules of Origin Regulations” and the U.S. calls for “Schedule II of the USMCA Rules of Origin Uniform Regulations.” Automotive goods and textiles have additional rules. [CUSMA Chapter 4] [CBSA] [19 CFR 182.12]

Field-by-field instructions

These instructions follow BorderPrint's free fillable USMCA/CUSMA certificate. Every required data element has a place on the form, and two boxes go beyond the nine required elements. Other templates may number their boxes differently.

Do not mix up the letters Field 7 and Field 8 both use A to D, but they mean different things. Field 7 says why the good qualifies. Field 8 says who is certifying. The form notes that a good listed with Indicator A is only a supporting statement and cannot be the basis of a claim at entry. The party claiming must issue a new certificate as exporter or importer.

Completed certification of origin example

This sample shows a Canadian producer certifying leather belts for a U.S. importer over a 12-month blanket period. All companies, contacts, and details are invented for illustration, so confirm the correct classification and rule for your own goods.

Why B and TS? In this example the belts are made in Canada using leather imported from outside CUSMA. The product rule for headings 42.03 to 42.06 requires a change from any other chapter, and leather from Chapter 41 meets that tariff shift.

Single-shipment vs. blanket certifications

A certification can cover one shipment or multiple shipments of identical goods during a stated blanket period of up to 12 months. A completed certification is accepted as valid for four years after it was completed or signed.

Claims, records, and corrections

The importer needs the certification before making the claim and must provide it if customs asks. Canada requires records for six years. U.S. importers, exporters, and producers must generally keep them for at least five years.

• ✓ Notify everyone: anyone who issued a certificate must tell each recipient about any change that may affect its accuracy or validity.
• ✓ Keep the proof: save bills of materials, supplier statements, costs, invoices, bills of lading, and customs documents with the certificate.
• × Treating a signed certificate as proof by itself. Customs can ask for the records behind it.

[CBSA D11-4-2] [CBSA overview] [19 CFR 182.13] [19 CFR 182.15] [19 CFR 182.21]

What a valid claim does under the 2026 tariffs

As of November 9, 2026, CUSMA remains in force. The U.S. did not agree to extend it at the July 1, 2026 joint review, which moved the agreement to annual reviews. A valid claim still matters, but it does not remove every U.S. tariff.

These change often Tariff lists and rates have changed several times in 2026. Confirm the treatment for your exact HS code with a customs broker before you ship. [White & Case] [PwC] [GHY] [CRS] [White House] [ST&R]

Common certification mistakes

Most errors come from certifying goods just because they shipped from Canada or the U.S., confusing the origin criterion with the certifier indicator, or signing without the records to back up the claim.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official CUSMA certificate of origin form?

No. CUSMA and USMCA do not prescribe a form. A certification can be on any document, including an invoice, as long as it contains the nine minimum data elements and the certifying statement.

Who cannot complete and sign a CUSMA certificate of origin?

Only the importer, exporter, or producer can certify. A carrier, customs broker, or other third party cannot certify in its own right. A third party may sign on behalf of one of those parties only with knowledge of the goods' origin and legal authority, such as a power of attorney.

What are the nine required data elements?

They are the certifier type, certifier, exporter, producer, importer, description and HS classification, origin criteria, blanket period if applicable, and an authorized signature and date with the required statement.

What do origin criteria A, B, C, and D mean?

A means wholly obtained or produced in CUSMA territory. B means produced there using non-originating materials that satisfy the product-specific rule. C means produced there exclusively from originating materials. D is a limited rule for certain parts or unassembled goods with a regional value content requirement.

What is the certification indicator on a USMCA form?

On BorderPrint's form, Field 8 states the certifier's status. A means the certifier is not the producer but has the producer's statement, B means importer, C means exporter, and D means producer. This is different from the origin criterion in Field 7.

Can the certification be on a commercial invoice?

Yes, if the invoice contains all the required data elements and the statement. An invoice issued in a non-CUSMA country cannot carry it, so a separate certification is needed in that case.

How long is a CUSMA certification valid?

A properly completed certification is accepted as valid for four years after the date it was completed or signed. A blanket certification can cover identical goods for a period of up to 12 months.

Is a certification needed for low-value shipments?

CBSA does not require one where the value for duty does not exceed CAD $3,300, but the importer must keep records. In the U.S., an importer does not have to submit one for commercial originating goods valued at USD $2,500 or less, unless the importation is part of a series intended to evade the requirement.

Does a certification have to travel with the truck?

The rule is that the importer must have the certification when claiming preferential treatment and provide it to customs on request. Many shippers send it to the customs broker with the commercial invoice, but confirm your broker's process.

Is CUSMA still in effect?

Yes, as of November 9, 2026. The United States did not agree to extend it at the July 1, 2026 joint review, so the agreement moved to annual reviews. It runs until July 1, 2036 unless extended or terminated sooner.

Does a CUSMA certificate avoid all U.S. tariffs?

No. A valid claim can remove ordinary duty and the 10% Section 301 duty on goods entered free of duty under USMCA, but Section 232 tariffs generally still apply and Section 338 tariffs apply regardless of USMCA origin. Confirm your HS code with a customs broker.

Sources

• CBSA — Certifying the origin of goods under CUSMA The nine data elements, explanatory notes, and valid examples.
• CBSA — Memorandum D11-4-14 Who can certify, third-party signers, validity, records, and corrections.
• CBSA — Memorandum D11-4-2 Proof of origin, low-value shipments, electronic certificates, and claims.
• CBSA — CUSMA overview for importers Tariff treatments, low-value threshold, and refund period.
• 19 CFR 182.12 — Certification of origin U.S. data elements, statement, blanket period, and validity.
• 19 CFR 182.13 — Importer obligations Importer responsibility and voluntary corrections.
• 19 CFR 182.14 — Certification not required U.S. low-value and non-commercial exceptions.
• 19 CFR 182.15 — Maintenance of records U.S. importer record retention.
• 19 CFR 182.21 — Exports to Canada or Mexico U.S. exporter and producer corrections and records.
• CUSMA Chapter 4 — Rules of Origin Article 4.2 criteria, de minimis, and product-specific rules.
• White & Case — USMCA 2026 Joint Review Status of the agreement after the July 1, 2026 review.
• White House — Section 338 fact sheet, October 2026 Section 338 scope and application regardless of USMCA origin.

Related resources

• How to Fill Out a Bill of Lading
• Canada CBSA Cross-Border Requirements
• U.S. CBP Cross-Border Requirements
• ACI eManifest for Highway Carriers
• ACE eManifest for Highway Carriers
• PARS vs. PAPS
• All free fillable forms
• All cross-border resources