There appears to be considerable misunderstandings as to how an importer can take advantage of CETA duty free rates.  CETA regulations require an exporter’s origin declaration on the invoice and not a certificate of origin.  In fact, the latter animal does not exist.

Specifically, the CETA regulations – as supported by recent CBSA commentary to the trade community – require an exporter origin declaration on the supplier invoice (the declaration can also appear on other commercial documentation but must have a direct link with eligible goods), which reads as follows:

The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs authorisation No …) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of Canada/EU preferential origin.

In the event that the European exporter has yet to obtain its exporter authorization number from its respective Customs authority, that field can be left blank. Moreover, only in the event that the subject goods are products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, must the exporter clearly indicate the symbol “CM”, in lieu of “Canada/EU”.  Otherwise, the Canada/EU indication is a requirement – not Italy, Germany, EC, or any other origin connotation other than “Canada/EU”.

The CBSA has been very clear on this matter but apparently EU suppliers have been receiving conflicting information from various Customs authorities in the EU on the origin and exporter authorization number issue.

For more information on this or any other CETA related matter, please feel free to contact Werner Kreissl at kreisslw@delmar.ca.