| name | certificate-of-origin |
| title | USMCA/NAFTA Certificate of Origin |
| description | Drafts USMCA/NAFTA Certificates of Origin for preferential tariff treatment on US-Mexico-Canada goods. Verifies origin criteria, HS classifications, and regional value content. Use when preparing trade certificates, customs origin documentation, duty preference claims, or cross-border shipment certifications. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/certificate-of-origin |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | trade |
| language | en |
| tags | ["drafting","letter","research"] |
USMCA/NAFTA Certificate of Origin
Generates legally compliant Certificates of Origin certifying goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment under USMCA (effective July 1, 2020) or legacy NAFTA.
Prerequisites
- Commercial invoices and bills of materials for goods being certified
- Production records (material sourcing, manufacturing location, supplier docs)
- Party information: legal names, addresses, tax IDs for exporter, producer, importer
- HS tariff classification (minimum 6-digit; 8- or 10-digit if importing country requires)
- Any prior origin determinations or tariff rulings for same goods
Quick Start
- Confirm agreement: USMCA for shipments on/after July 1, 2020; NAFTA for earlier
- Collect exporter, producer, and importer details
- Describe goods with HS codes and determine origin criterion (A/B/C/D)
- Draft certification statement with legal declarations
- Generate certificate with signature block
Core Workflow
1. Determine Agreement and Coverage Type
| Shipment Date | Agreement |
|---|
| Before July 1, 2020 | NAFTA (Ch. 4-5) |
| On or after July 1, 2020 | USMCA (Ch. 4-5) |
Confirm single shipment or blanket (max 12 months from signature, USMCA Art. 5.2).
2. Collect Party Information
For exporter, producer, and importer: full legal business name, complete physical address, and tax ID / business registration number.
Special cases:
| Scenario | Handling |
|---|
| Exporter = Producer | State "Same" in producer field |
| Producer confidential | "Available to Customs upon request" (Art. 5.2); note verification risk |
| Importer unknown | "Unknown" / "Various"; may need updating before preference claim |
3. Describe Goods
Each good requires: commercial name, technical specs (model/part numbers), material composition, HS classification (6+ digits matching entry docs), and intended use. Never use vague descriptions ("parts," "merchandise").
4. Determine Origin Criterion
