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The new NAFTA deal passed the Canadian Senate by a rush vote on March 18, 2020. Canada was the only signatory still to ratify the deal referred to as CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) in Canada and USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) in the U.S..
The legislation received royal assent the same day from Governor General Julie Payette, which initiated a three-month period to give the three countries time to hammer out the regulations that will govern the mechanics of the agreement. Implementation of the new agreement is set to take place on June 1, 2020, although there is talk the deal may be delayed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Importers should begin obtaining valid Certificates of Origin (or ensure exporters are prepared to include the applicable certificate of origin data elements on shipping documents) under the new agreement to ensure there is no lapse in preferential trade status, prior to the new deal taking effect. Between now and June 1, 2020, NAFTA Certificates of Origin will still be required to obtain preferential trade status. Once the new trade agreement becomes effective, NAFTA Certificates of Origin will no longer be valid and must be replaced with CUSMA/USMCA Certificates of Origin or specified certificate of origin data elements on shipping documents.
For clients who are currently enrolled in Universal’s NAFTA Project Management Program (Service Option 2 – Universal Logistics obtains Blanket Certificates for Client), we will contact your vendors directly to obtain the required CUSMA/USMCA Certificates of Origin. For those clients not enrolled in this Service Option and who would like Universal Logistics to obtain the required Certificates of Origin direct from your vendors, please let us know.
To download Universal’s CUSMA/USMCA Certificate of Origin template click here.
For more information, contact Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs.
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