USMCA Preference Criteria

It is important to fully complete a USMCA certificate, but some of the fields are more confusing than others. In particular, identifying the correct origin criteria of a good can be challenging.

To qualify for preferential treatment under the USMCA, goods must comply with the USMCA Rules of Origin. The four origin criteria classifications define how a good qualifies.

Specify the origin criterion (A, B, C, or D) under which the good qualifies, as set out in Article 4.2 (Originating Goods):

Origin Criteria A

Wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties, as defined in Article 4.3 (Wholly Obtained or Produced Goods)

Origin Criteria B

Produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties using non‐originating materials provided the good satisfies all applicable requirements of Annex 4‐B (Product‐Specific Rules of Origin)

Origin Criteria C

Produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties exclusively from originating materials

Origin Criteria D

“Except for a good provided for in Chapter 61 to 63 of the Harmonized System:

(i) produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties;

(ii) one or more of the non‐originating materials provided for as parts under the Harmonized System used in the production of the good cannot satisfy the requirements set out in Annex 4‐B (Product‐Specific Rules of Origin) because both the good and its materials are classified in the same subheading or same heading that is not further subdivided into subheadings or, the good was imported into the territory of a Party in an unassembled or a disassembled form but was classified as an assembled good pursuant to rule 2(a) of the General Rules of Interpretation of the Harmonized System; and

(iii) the regional value content of the good, determined in accordance with Article 4.5 (Regional Value Content), is not less than 60 percent if the transaction value method is used, or not less than 50 percent if the net cost method is used”