CUSMA paperwork for small sellers: the certification of origin in plain words

Short answer: a CUSMA claim lets goods that qualify as made in North America cross between Canada, the US and Mexico without duty. To make one, you state on the invoice or a separate page that the goods qualify, with nine pieces of information. For low value shipments, neither country requires that statement at all, though the goods must still qualify.

Qualifying comes first

The paperwork only works if the goods really qualify, and qualifying depends on each product's own rule in the agreement. Some products qualify simply by being wholly made in North America; others need their materials to change tariff code inside the region, or a share of North American value. "Made in Canada" on the label does not on its own mean a product qualifies.

Othermile's CUSMA readiness checklist walks through the questions for each product. It is a self check, not a certification, and it never says a product qualifies. A licensed customs broker can confirm it.

The nine data elements

A certification of origin has no required form. It can be on the invoice or any document, as long as it carries:

1. Who is certifying: importer, exporter or producer
2. The certifier's name, address, phone and email
3. The exporter, if different
4. The producer, if different and known
5. The importer, if known
6. A description of the goods and their six digit tariff code
7. The origin criterion that applies (A, B, C or D)
8. The period it covers, for a blanket certificate covering a year of shipments
9. A signature, date and a statement that the information is true

When you do not need it

Both countries waive the certification for low value imports, as long as the shipment is not one of a series split to get under the limit:

Below those amounts, the goods still have to qualify. You are just not asked for the statement.

Keep the records

Whoever certifies must keep the records that back the claim, such as supplier invoices and bills of materials, for at least five years. If customs asks and they are missing, the claim fails and the duty is owed.

A simple routine

1. Check each product's rule once, with a broker if it matters.
2. Keep one blanket certification per product line for the year.
3. Add the CUSMA statement to the invoice template you use for customs (the commercial invoice).
4. Store the supplier documents in one folder per product.

Check your own numbers

• One parcel: the free border fee checker.
• Your store's last 90 days: the free border cost audit.
• Every order, before it ships: Othermile checks each one against your limits and holds the costly ones for your OK.

These are estimates from the official rules, not customs or legal advice.

This guide explains public rules in plain language for general information. It is not customs, tax or legal advice; the exact tariff code, your paperwork and the carrier decide the final amount.