USMCA Explained: How Mexico & Canada Shipments Can Ship Duty-Free

The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced NAFTA in July 2020. If you ship goods to Canada or Mexico that were manufactured in the USA, your shipment may qualify for zero import duty — but only if you complete the required documentation correctly.

What Is USMCA?

USMCA is a free trade agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico that allows qualifying goods (those with sufficient US, Canadian, or Mexican content) to cross borders duty-free. Goods that qualify must be accompanied by a USMCA Certificate of Origin.

How to Claim USMCA Benefits

  1. Confirm your product qualifies — it must be manufactured in the USA, Canada, or Mexico with sufficient regional content
  2. Determine the correct HS code for your product
  3. Complete a USMCA Certificate of Origin
  4. Include the certificate with your commercial invoice