NAFTA

U.S. Customs, Mexican Customs and

C.C.R.A. have the ability under NAFTA
to conduct “Verification Visits”

The visits are to check on the reliability

of the NAFTA declaration, and to
ensure that the goods declared
NAFTA on the Certificate of Origin
qualify
 NAFTA

1. The Customs authority sends a

“NAFTA Verification Questionnaire”

3. Upon receipt of the completed

questionnaire a decision is made as to
whether a visit is necessary.
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Questionnaires exist for:

- Goods Wholly Produced
- Tariff Change
- Regional Value Content – Net Cost.
- Regional Value Content – Transaction
Value.
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Issues:

If the examination of the NAFTA origin was

done and
properly documented, there is no more
significant work
to be done.

The problems begin when this work was not

done in the
first place.
 NAFTA

If the verification has found the good not to be

of NAFTA origin, one or all of the following
may/will occur:
 Previous importations will be assessed duty
 Penalties may be levied against Company
signing the Certificate
 Other importers importing the same
product from the Company who produced
the Certificate may have duty assessed as
well.
 Other NAFTA Certificates from the company
 NAFTA – Advanced Rulings

Prior to goods being transferred between

NAFTA Countries, one can check with
the Customs Authorities for an
“Advanced Ruling”

Ruling to determine :
- Goods originate under NAFTA
- Which Tariff treatment to use
- NAFTA Marking
 NAFTA – Advanced Rulings

Can be applied for by any company from

any country that is party of the
agreement

In Canada apply in writing with all

applicable information so C.C.R.A. can
make a decision

In U.S.A. application is to U.S. Customs

with all applicable information so they
can make a decision
 NAFTA – Advanced Rulings

In Canada: If an Advanced ruling is received,

the ruling number must be quoted in the
description field of the B3.

In U.S.: If an Advanced ruling is received, a

copy must be submitted with the Customs
documents.

Rulings can also be requested for origin

regarding other trade agreements: CIFTA,
and CCFTA .