April 28, 2020 – The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement’s (USMCA’s) enter into force date will be July 1, 2020. The USTR notified Congress that Canada and Mexico have taken measures necessary to comply with their commitments.
The Agreement contains significant improvements to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and modernized approaches to rules of origin, agricultural market access, intellectual property, digital trade, financial services, labor, and other sectors.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the USMCA Interim Implementation Instructions in Cargo System Messaging Service (CSMS) 42429822, which will use a Special Program Indicator (SPI) of ‘S’.
Pending updates include:
- Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations 182 (19 CFR 182) -under development to include the USMCA Uniform Regulations, USMCA Domestic Regulations, and Appendix.
- The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) -being amended to include General Note 11 with information on the USMCA rules of origin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are also available on CBP’s USMCA webpage.
For further details, please see:
- USMCA Agreement’s Final Text on the USTR’s website,
- USMCA Implementation Act (Public Law No. 116-113) on Congress’ website, and
- USTR’s Federal Register Notice (FRN 2020-08405) with information on how producers of vehicle producers may petition to apply for alternative staging regimes for the USMCA Rules of Origin for automotive goods (draft alternative staging plans due by July 1, 2020, and final alternative staging plans due by August 31, 2020).
Until the USMCA enters into force, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) requirements remains in effect.
If you have any questions regarding the USMCA Livingston can help! Please see our website From NAFTA to USMCA, or contact your Livingston account manager or our regulatory affairs group at usregaffairs@livingstonintl.com