USMCA Certification of Origin: A Guide for US Importers Buying from Mexico

Parts made in Mexico do not enter the US duty-free automatically. The importer has to claim USMCA preference on the entry, and the claim rests on one document: the certification of origin. In 2026 that document matters more than it used to, because it also decides whether the 10% Section 301 duty on products of Mexico applies. This guide explains what the certification must contain, who can sign it, how long it lasts and what you have to keep.

TL;DR

• USMCA has no official form. Any document works, including the invoice, if it contains the nine minimum data elements of Annex 5-A.
• The importer, the exporter or the producer can complete it. For most buyers, the Mexican producer is the right signer, because it holds the cost and material records.
• One certification can cover one shipment or identical goods for up to 12 months. CBP accepts it for four years after it was completed.
• The importer must have the certification when it makes the claim, and keep the records for at least five years.
• "Made in Mexico" is not the same as "originating under USMCA". The goods have to meet the rules of origin.

At a glance

Why the claim matters for parts from Mexico

A USMCA claim can change more than the base duty rate. As of November 1, 2026:

• Section 301 duty on products of Mexico. Since July 24, 2026, products of Mexico pay an additional 10% (HTS 9903.05.55). CBP's guidance says this duty does not apply to products of Mexico entered free of duty under USMCA. Goods already under the Section 232 metals or wood duties are also excluded from it.
• Merchandise processing fee (MPF). CBP does not charge the MPF on goods that originate under USMCA (19 CFR 24.23(c)(3)). On other formal entries it is 0.3464% of value, minimum $34.58 and maximum $670.86 per entry, from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027.
• Section 232 duties. Duties on steel, aluminum and copper of up to 50% are charged even on goods that qualify for USMCA. A certification does not remove them.

Rates change often. Check with your customs broker before each new product ships, and see our guide to US duties on Mexican parts.

Made in Mexico is not the same as USMCA-originating

The country of origin printed on the box tells CBP where the part was made. USMCA preference asks a different question: does the part meet the rules of origin? Under Article 4.2 of the agreement, a good is originating if it is:

1. wholly obtained or produced in the USMCA countries, such as minerals mined there;
2. produced there from non-originating materials and meets the product-specific rule in Annex 4-B, usually a change in tariff classification, sometimes with a regional value content test;
3. produced there exclusively from originating materials; or
4. in some cases where parts and the finished good share a tariff classification, produced there with a regional value content of at least 60% (transaction value method) or 50% (net cost method).

A bracket stamped in Monterrey from Asian steel coil can be a product of Mexico and still fail the rule for its HTS line. Only the producer's bill of materials can show this, which is why the producer should normally certify.

The nine minimum data elements

Annex 5-A lists what every certification must contain:

1. Certifier role: whether the certifier is the importer, the exporter or the producer.
2. Certifier: name, title, address (with country), telephone number and email.
3. Exporter: name, address, email and telephone, if different from the certifier. The address must be the place of export in a USMCA country. Not required if the producer certifies and does not know the exporter.
4. Producer: name, address, email and telephone, if different from the certifier or exporter. For several producers, "Various" or a list. A producer that wants confidentiality may write "Available upon request by the importing authorities".
5. Importer: name, address, email and telephone, if known. The address must be in a USMCA country.
6. Description and HS classification: a description detailed enough to identify the good, and the HS code to 6 digits. For a single shipment, the invoice number if known.
7. Origin criterion: which basis under Article 4.2 the good meets. Certifications usually write it as A, B, C or D, matching points 1 to 4 above.
8. Blanket period: the period, if the certification covers several shipments of identical goods for up to 12 months.
9. Signature and date, with this 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."

CBP publishes an optional fillable template that follows this structure. You do not have to use it.

Who should complete it

The agreement lets three parties certify, but they need different evidence:

• The producer certifies on the basis of its own information and documents. This is the strongest option: the producer knows the materials, their origin and the costs.
• An exporter that is not the producer, for example a trading company, may rely on the producer's written representation that the good is originating.
• The importer may certify only if it has information, including documents, that shows the good is originating. On request, it must demonstrate this to CBP. Few buyers have a supplier's bill of materials, so this route is hard in practice.

Two points to agree with your supplier early:

• No one can force a producer or exporter to certify. Both the agreement and CBP say so. Make the certification a condition in your purchase order or supply agreement, not an afterthought at the border.
• A distributor cannot certify. Only the producer, the exporter or the importer can.

Blanket certifications and validity

For repeat orders of the same part, ask for a blanket certification covering identical goods for a stated period of up to 12 months. It saves paperwork on every truck.

CBP accepts a certification for four years after the date it was completed. That does not stretch a blanket period: a certification signed for January to December covers shipments in that window only, and you can still present it during the four years.

If the bill of materials changes, for example the supplier switches to a non-originating material, the old certification may no longer be right. Under Article 5.6 an exporter or producer that learns a certification is based on incorrect information must notify, in writing, everyone it gave the certification to.

What you must do as the importer

• Have a valid certification when you file the claim. The agreement requires it to be in your possession at the time you make the statement on the entry.
• Provide a copy when CBP asks.
• Correct mistakes promptly. If you have reason to believe the certification is based on incorrect information, correct the entry and pay any duties owing. If you do this promptly, the agreement says you are not penalized for the incorrect statement.
• Fix small errors fast. CBP may not reject a certification for minor errors that do not create doubts. If it is defective, you get at least five working days to provide a corrected copy.
• Keep records for at least five years from the date of importation, including the certification. The producer or exporter keeps its own origin records for five years after completing the certification.

Low-value shipments. CBP does not require a certification for a non-commercial importation, or for a commercial importation whose originating goods are worth no more than US $2,500.

Forgot to claim? You can still claim preference and ask for a refund of excess duties under 19 U.S.C. 1520(d), no later than one year after the date of importation, with a copy of the certification.

Questions to ask your Mexican supplier

• Do your parts meet the USMCA rule of origin for their HTS line, and which origin criterion applies?
• Will you, as the producer, sign a blanket certification for the next 12 months?
• Which materials are non-originating, and how would a change of material supplier affect origin?
• Who on your side keeps the origin records, and can you support a CBP verification?
• Are any of the parts steel, aluminum or copper, so that Section 232 duties still apply?

Our vetting checklist covers the other checks to run before a first order.

Suppliers on Suconex

The Suconex directory lists Mexican manufacturers by process and state, for example in metal forming. Three examples, with descriptions from each company's Suconex profile:

• Metalistik (Aguascalientes): high-volume precision metal components, including stamping, tooling, machining, assembly and powder coating. The profile states Tier-Q 5.0 and ISO 9001:2015.
• PSM – Progressive Stamping de México (Querétaro): stamped parts and subassemblies for the automotive, electrical and electronics industries. The profile states IATF 16949.
• NORMA Group (Tijuana, Baja California): global supplier of clamps, connectors, sealing systems and fluid systems; the profile lists technical seals, plastic extrusion and injection molding.

Listing on Suconex is not an endorsement, and a profile does not show whether a part qualifies for USMCA. Ask each supplier the questions above.

How Suconex helps

Suconex finds Mexican suppliers that fit your part, contacts them in Spanish and asks how they handle USMCA certifications before you see a quote. Send one part through the price check and you get the quotes in one table: unit price, tooling, lead time and certifications.

Get quotes from Mexican suppliers that already export →

FAQ

Is there an official USMCA certificate of origin form?

No. USMCA has no prescribed format. Any document, including an invoice, is accepted if it contains the nine minimum data elements in Annex 5-A. CBP offers an optional template.

Who can sign a USMCA certification of origin?

The importer, the exporter or the producer. A distributor cannot. The producer is usually best placed, because it holds the records that show the good is originating.

How long is a USMCA certification valid?

CBP accepts it for four years after the date it was completed. A blanket certification covers identical goods for the period stated on it, up to 12 months.

Does a USMCA certification remove the 10% Section 301 duty on Mexican goods?

CBP's guidance says the 10% Section 301 duty on products of Mexico does not apply to products of Mexico entered free of duty under USMCA. The goods must really qualify, and the claim must be made on the entry.

Does USMCA remove Section 232 steel and aluminum duties?

No. Section 232 duties on steel, aluminum and copper are charged even on goods that qualify for USMCA.

How long must I keep USMCA records?

At least five years from the date of importation, including the certification that supported the claim.

Can I claim USMCA after the goods were imported?

Yes. You can file a post-importation claim under 19 U.S.C. 1520(d) no later than one year after the date of importation, with a copy of the certification of origin.