NAFTA references removed from Canada's Customs Act as the old trade deal is formally replaced by CUSMA

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

The Customs Act has been updated to strip out all remaining references to NAFTA and 'NAFTA country' across definitions, schedules, marking rules, origin verification procedures, and refund provisions. These terms are now either repealed outright or replaced by equivalent CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) language. Importers and exporters who previously relied on NAFTA-based procedures—such as marking determinations for goods from NAFTA countries, advance rulings under NAFTA articles, or duty relief and drawback tied to NAFTA exports—should confirm they are operating under the CUSMA framework instead. The separate NAFTA-specific marking determination process (section 57.01) has been removed entirely, and requests for re-determination of origin, tariff classification, or value for duty no longer include a 'marking' category. Businesses that import goods from the US or Mexico or claim preferential tariff treatment on that basis should review their documentation and compliance processes to ensure alignment with CUSMA rules.

Who this affects: importers of goods from the United States or Mexico · exporters claiming preferential tariff treatment under Canada-US-Mexico trade rules · customs brokers and trade compliance professionals · businesses seeking duty relief or drawbacks on goods re-exported to CUSMA countries