CBP: Valid vs. Invalid vs. Defective NAFTA Certificate of Origin 
This week, the CBP [U. S. Customs and Border Protection] announced in posting CSMS #14-000598 to clarify the terms:
- Valid NAFTA Certificate of Origin
- Lists the good in question
- Covers the period in question
- Includes the exporter’s or his agent’s signature in block 11a “Authorized Signature”
- Was in the importer’s possession at the time of the claim, as demonstrated by 1) a block 11e
- Invalid NAFTA Certificate of Origin
- if it does not meet the above mentioned requirements
- Defective NAFTA Certificate of Origin
- If meeting the “Valid NAFTA Certificate of Origin,” noted above, but contains other errors or omissions.
- These include, but are not limited to the following:
- illegibility
- misclassification
- incorrect or missing preference criteria
- signature by an individual who cannot legally bind the company
- typed or stamped signature
- 3rd-country goods (in addition to NAFTA goods)
- Net Cost field error
- single entry Certificate without an invoice or other unique reference numbers
- These include, but are not limited to the following:
- If meeting the “Valid NAFTA Certificate of Origin,” noted above, but contains other errors or omissions.
Reminder from CBP: Importers preference will be denied when possession of a valid NAFTA Certificate of Origin at the time of the claim cannot be substantiated.
To read the entire posting: CSMS #14-000598
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