- To : Automated Broker Interface
Subject: FACT SHEET 32
TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.
FROM : LISA CROSBY
SUBJECT : NAF-FACT SHEET 32
DATE : 03/11/94
4068073
MARCH 9, 1994
CATEGORY: NAF CO:TO:T:T LAC
TO : REGIONAL DIRECTORS FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, DISTRICT
AND PORT DIRECTORS
FROM : ACTING DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF TRADE OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: FACT SHEET 32: END OF TRANSITION PERIOD FOR
ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATIONS UNDER THE NORTH AMERICAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA)
PASS TO: NON-ABI BROKERS, IMPORTERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
BACKGROUND:
IN FACT SHEET 5 (EMAIL NOTICE 4327071), DATED DECEMBER 1,
1993, YOU WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE WOULD
ACCEPT ALTERNATIVE NAFTA CERTIFICATIONS OF ORIGIN THROUGH MARCH
31, 1994. ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVES INCLUDED THE CERTIFICATE OF
ORIGIN FROM THE U.S.-CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, A DECLARATION
ON COMPANY LETTERHEAD CERTIFYING THAT THE GOODS MET THE NAFTA
RULES OF ORIGIN, OR A DRAFT OF THE CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE FROM
CUSTOMS' AUTOMATED SYSTEM.
EFFECTIVE AS TO GOODS IMPORTED ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1994,
THE OFFICIAL VERSION OF THE NAFTA CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN MUST BE
USED TO SUPPORT A CLAIM FOR PREFERENTIAL NAFTA TARIFF TREATMENT--
ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED. THE ONLY
EXCEPTION TO THIS REQUIREMENT IS BLANKET CERTIFICATES THAT WERE
PREPARED ON THE DRAFT NAFTA CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN; THESE BLANKET
CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1994. THE
CANADIAN AND MEXICAN VERSIONS OF U.S. CUSTOMS 434 (IN ENGLISH,
FRENCH OR SPANISH) ARE ALSO ACCEPTABLE.
IMPORTERS MUST POSSESS, AND SUBMIT TO U.S. CUSTOMS UPON
REQUEST, A COPY OF THE NAFTA CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN. THERE IS NO
REQUIREMENT THAT IMPORTERS POSSESS AN ORIGINAL NOR THAT THEY
SUBMIT A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE UNLESS REQUESTED TO DO SO BY
U.S. CUSTOMS.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MESSAGE MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE
NAFTA HELP DESK AT (202)927-0066.
JANET L. LABUDA