In foreign trade, competitiveness and operational efficiency largely depend on effective document management. Among the most important documents is the certificate of origin, which certifies the country where a product was manufactured and, in Mexico’s case, is essential for obtaining tariff reductions or exemptions under free trade agreements.
EUR.1 Certificate
The EUR.1 Movement Certificate is an official document used in trade between the European Union and countries that have preferential trade agreements with it, including Mexico under the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union (Mexico-EU FTA).
Main characteristics:
Official physical format: Issued by customs authorities or Chambers of Commerce in the EU.
Mandatory validation: Requires verification of rules of origin before issuance.
Required information: Exporter and importer details, country of origin/destination, description of the merchandise, weight, and invoice reference.
Purpose: Enables Mexican importers to obtain preferential tariff treatment under the Mexico-EU FTA.
Points to consider: Any error or discrepancy with the commercial invoice may lead Mexican customs to reject the tariff benefit.
USMCA Certificate of Origin
The certificate of origin is the essential document for goods to benefit from the preferential treatment offered by the Treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (USMCA). This document certifies that the merchandise complies with the origin requirements of the agreement.
Main characteristics:
No official format: The USMCA certificate of origin is not a pre-printed form. It may take the form of a declaration of origin included in the commercial invoice, a remittance note, or any other commercial document, as long as the required minimum data elements are provided.
Shared responsibility: It can be issued by the exporter, producer, or importer, provided sufficient information is available.
Four-year validity: Valid for four years from the date of issuance.
Points to consider: To issue the certificate, the following minimum information must be included:
Identity of the issuer (importer, exporter, or producer).
Details of the certifier, exporter, producer, and importer.
Description and tariff classification of the merchandise.
Origin criterion.
Period of validity (if covering multiple shipments of identical merchandise within a specific 12-month period).
Authorized signature and date.
Both certificates are essential financial and logistical tools for importers in Mexico. To maximize their benefits, it is crucial to understand the rules of origin and the specific data required for each.
Written By:
Dulce Ángel
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