North American Free Trade Agreement
How U.S. Companies Can Benefit
Click here to go to the NAFTA Certificate of Origin Interactive Tool
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade agreement among the United States, Canada, and Mexico that liberalizes restrictions on trade among the three countries. Some of the agreement's objectives include:
 | The elimination of tariff or duty rates (all qualifying products to Canada are now duty-free, and virtually all qualifying products to Mexico are now duty-free). |
| Promoting conditions of free competition, and increasing market access and investment opportunities within the free trade area. |
Since implementation January 1, 1994, trade between the three countries has increased more than 200 percent.
In order for a product to be eligible for lower tariff rates when entering Mexico or Canada, the product must be produced in the United States, entirely of NAFTA component parts, or if foreign components are used, the foreign component must undergo sufficient processing in the United States to meet NAFTA requirements.
This website includes how to determine if your product qualifies for NAFTA preferential tariff treatment, how to fill out the NAFTA Certificate of Origin, frequently asked questions, as well as useful articles on NAFTA.
The Department of Commerce's Market Access and Compliance offices monitor this Agreement to ensure that Canada and Mexico fully comply with their obligations. If you encounter problems under the NAFTA, please contact our Agreements Compliance office.
For additional information please contact a NAFTA specialist at the Trade Information Center at 800-USA-TRADE.
Additional NAFTA Resources
NAFTA Certificate of Origin Interactive Tool
Fillable copy of the NAFTA Certificate of Origin
Continuation sheet for the NAFTA Certificate of Origin
Exporting U.S. Textile and Apparel Products Under NAFTA
Rules of Origin/General Note 12(t)
NAFTA: A Guide to Customs Procedures
For additional information please contact an International Trade Specialist at the Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRADE.