CBP OKs electronic NAFTA certificates

CBP OKs electronic NAFTA certificates    The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is now accepting electronically submitted NAFTA Certificates of Origin.
   CBP issued a directive (3810-014A) that clarifies customs brokerage industry questions about the different methods for treating electronically generated Certificates of Origin in different ports of entry, a client alert from Pisani & Roll, a law firm specializing in international trade and customs law, explained.
   The alert said the new CBP directive said that in order to use computer-generated Certificates of Origin, an importer must seek CBP headquarters approval in writing prior to using the certificates; and the computer-generated certificate must contain 10 elements specified in the directive, which is available on the CBP Web site.
   In addition, an importer must maintain a file showing the field/record layout; must have written authorization from the exporting party; and the importer must have had the electronic certificate in its possession at the time the claim for preferential duty treatment under NAFTA was made.