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ARTICLE · 07 SEPTEMBER 2026

Dangers of Self-issued USMCA Certificates

Millar Kreklewetz
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The USMCA allows importers to self-certify their own Certifications of Origin, offering greater flexibility than the former NAFTA regime. However, this practice carries significant compliance risks...

CanadaInternational Law
Robert Kreklewetz
Robert Kreklewetz
Peter Krol
Peter Krol

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One of the significant changes introduced by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement ("USMCA"), relative to the former NAFTA regime, was the expansion of who may complete and execute a USMCA Certification of Origin. In particular, importers are now permitted to complete and sign their own Certifications of Origin, rather than relying solely on exporters or producers.

While this additional flexibility can appear attractive, it brings with it significant compliance risks, with a spate of Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) Verifications (Audits) highlighting the dangers associated with self-certifying your own USMCA imports.

In this Customs & Trade Report we review some of the significant problems associated with this practice, particularly when incorrect.

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