USMCA Certificate of Origin Template

USMCA has no official certificate of origin form: any document works if it contains the nine minimum data elements and the required certification statement. Fill in the form below and click "Download certification PDF" to get a free, printable USMCA certification of origin with those elements in order.

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How to fill out the USMCA certificate of origin

This is an on-page form, not a file upload. You type the details, and the tool lays them out as a PDF titled "USMCA Certification of Origin" with data elements 1 to 9 numbered in order, followed by the certification statement.

To generate the PDF you need a certifier name and at least one good, and each good needs an HS code of at least 6 digits and an origin criterion.

1. Under "1. Who is certifying?", choose Exporter, Producer or Importer, and add the date of certification. The invoice or reference number and "8. Blanket period from / to" are optional.
2. Fill in "2. Certifier" with the company or name, address, phone, email and title.
3. Complete "3. Exporter" (or tick "Same as certifier"), "4. Producer" and "5. Importer" using the options in each section.
4. For each good, enter the "Description of good", "HS code (6-digit)" and "Origin criterion". Click "+ Add good" for more lines.
5. Click "Download certification PDF", then sign and date it. The file downloads automatically, and a download button also appears.

What a USMCA certification of origin is and who fills it out

A certification of origin is the statement that supports a claim for preferential (reduced or duty-free) tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Unlike NAFTA's uniform CBP Form 434, USMCA does not prescribe a form. The data can appear on an invoice or any other document, as long as it includes the nine minimum data elements from USMCA Annex 5-A.

The importer, exporter or producer of the good may complete it. According to CBP, a distributor cannot. An exporter who is not the producer can rely on information showing the good is originating, or on the producer's written representation, such as the producer's own certification.

The certifier is responsible for the origin determination. This tool only formats the data you enter: it does not check whether your goods actually qualify. The importer must have a valid certification in its possession when the USMCA claim is made.

The nine data elements and form options

The PDF follows the Annex 5-A order: (1) whether the importer, exporter or producer certifies, (2) certifier, (3) exporter, (4) producer, (5) importer, (6) description and HS classification of the good, (7) origin criterion, (8) blanket period, and (9) authorized signature and date. Include the country in each address, since CBP's guidance asks for it.

Producer options follow CBP's wording: "Same as certifier", "Enter producer details", "Various" for multiple producers, or "Available upon request by importing authorities" if the producer wants its details kept confidential. The importer can be marked "Unknown" when the certifier does not know it.

Origin criteria A to D are explained under the goods table. In short: A is wholly obtained or produced in USMCA countries, B is produced using non-originating materials that meet the product-specific rule of origin, C is produced exclusively from originating materials, and D covers certain goods that meet a regional value content requirement.

Blanket period: one certification can cover multiple shipments of identical goods for a period of up to 12 months. Leave the dates empty for a single shipment.

Privacy and limits

The PDF is built in your browser on your device. Nothing is uploaded or stored by PaperPorter. Your entries are saved only in this browser's local storage, and if you used the bill of lading or commercial invoice generators here, the certifier, importer and goods start pre-filled. "Clear form" resets everything.

The signature line is left blank, with name, title and date lines, so nothing is signed for you. CBP accepts electronic or digital signatures. The PDF uses standard fonts, so non-Latin characters print as "?".

The tool offers criteria A to D only. CBP's instructions also list a criterion E for goods in certain tariff tables, and vehicles and auto parts have extra certification requirements this tool does not cover.

Tips before you send it

Check the value threshold. For US imports, a certification is not required for non-commercial imports or for commercial imports where the originating goods are worth US$2,500 or less, unless the shipment is part of a series arranged to avoid the rules.

Keep it for four years. A certification is accepted for four years after it is completed. Keep the records that support your origin claim, because the statement commits you to present them on request.

Language. CBP accepts English, Spanish or French. If you submit it in Spanish or French, also provide an English translation.

Describe goods clearly. The description should be specific enough to match the goods on the invoice, and the HS code must be at least 6 digits.

More export paperwork

For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our USMCA certificate of origin guide. You can also make a matching packing list from the same shipment details, or look up terms in the shipping terms glossary. If your import or export also needs an official government PDF, PaperPorter can help you fill official forms.

Guides: USMCA certificate of origin: what it is and how to fill it out · What does FOB mean in shipping?

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Frequently asked questions

Is there an official USMCA certificate of origin form?

No. USMCA does not require a prescribed form. Any document, including an invoice, works if it contains the nine minimum data elements and the certification statement.

Who can fill out a USMCA certificate of origin?

The importer, exporter or producer of the goods may complete it. The person who certifies is responsible for the origin determination.

How long is a USMCA certificate of origin valid?

CBP accepts a certification for four years after the date it was completed. A blanket certification can cover identical goods shipped over a period of up to 12 months.

Is a USMCA certificate of origin required for low-value shipments?

For US imports, a certification is not required when the originating goods in a commercial import are worth US$2,500 or less, or for non-commercial imports. This exception does not apply to a series of imports arranged to avoid the requirement.

Where can I get a free USMCA certificate of origin template in PDF?

You can fill one out on this page and download it as a PDF for free, with no sign-up. CBP also offers an optional template, and its use is not compulsory.

Can a USMCA certificate of origin be signed electronically?

Yes. CBP says a USMCA certification of origin may be completed and submitted electronically and signed with an electronic or digital signature.