Customs Brokers Quebec &Ontario ACTS Custom & Trade Services

Free Trade / Origin of Goods

ACTS retraces the origin!
Free trade agreements such as the North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) grant importers substantial or even complete reductions of customs duties on qualifying goods.

In order to benefit from the advantages afforded under a free trade agreement, importers must ensure that their imported goods are covered by valid certificates of origin. If called upon, persons issuing free trade certificates of origin (exporters) must be prepared to provide to the Customs authorities, satisfactory evidence that the goods originate. Only those persons possessing a sufficient knowledge of the free trade rules of origin, the harmonized system of tariff classification, customs valuation, and the finished goods should certify the originating status of a good.

Our advisors can conduct comprehensive origin analysis to determine the origin of your goods. In instances where a good is found not to originate under a free trade agreement, we can recommend solutions, which if acted upon could render the good as originating under a particular free trade agreement.

Our advisors can also participate in Customs origin audit and set up an internal origin management program that guarantees compliance.

Reminder
In Canada: For shipments with a declared value of $1,600 CA and greater, a duly completed certificate of origin is required. For shipments valued at less than $1,600 CA, you can employ either a duly completed certificate of origin or a Declaration for Commercial Importations of less than $1,600 CA.

In the United States: For shipments with a declared value of $2,500 US and greater, a duly completed certificate of origin is required. For shipments valued at less than $2,500 US, you can use either a duly completed certificate of origin or a signed declaration.

Did you know?
The customs authorities of both Canada and the United States estimate that 50% of all NAFTA certificates of origin employed are filled out in an incomplete of erroneous manner. Penalties are applicable for the misapplication of a free trade tariff treatment. So be sure to confirm the validity of your free trade certificates of origin!

For more information, contact: acts@actsconsultants.ca