The Energy Workforce International Trade Committee, chaired by Kartapurkh Khalsa of NOV, launched its new online trade series today with a session on USMCA Certification. The webinar featured Keil Ritterpusch, Shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, who provided an in-depth overview of certifying goods under the USMCA, determining product eligibility for duty-free entry, and navigating the practical considerations of certification requirements.
With a USMCA certification exemption to the current tariffs on Canada and Mexico, understanding the certification process has become increasingly important. As of March 4, 2025, USMCA-certified goods will be exempt from tariffs (0%), while energy and energy resources will be subject to a 10% tariff, and all other products will face a 25% tariff. This makes certification a strategic priority for eligible products.
Ritterpusch focused much of his presentation on determining whether goods imported from Canada or Mexico qualify for duty-free entry under the USMCA’s rules of origin. He outlined three main criteria:
- Goods wholly obtained or produced entirely in one territory.
- Goods produced in one territory using non-originating materials that meet the applicable rule of origin.
- Goods produced exclusively from originating materials.
He also clarified that “origination” is a technical term under the agreement and does not necessarily mean “Made in the USA” or the commonly understood “country of origin.”
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of understanding Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes and thoroughly assessing the origin and composition of all components within a product to determine eligibility.
To request a copy of Keil Ritterpusch’s presentation deck, please contact Maria Suarez-Simmons.
If you’re interested in joining the International Trade Committee or the Tariff Taskforce, reach out to Maria Suarez-Simmons, VP of Energy Policy.
Maria Suarez-Simmons, Senior Director Energy Policy, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
