NAFTA Preference Criteria

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It is important to fully complete a NAFTA certificate, but some of the fields are more confusing than others. In particular, identifying the correct preference criteria of a good can be challenging.

To qualify for preferential treatment under the North American Free Trade Agreement, goods must comply with the NAFTA Rules of Origin. The six preference criteria classifications define how a good qualifies.

Use this guide to determine which preference criteria to use when completing a NAFTA form.

Preference Criteria A

Select this option if the good is wholly obtained or produced in one or more of the NAFTA countries. Typically, this referes to mined or farmed goods, not manufactured items.

Preference Criteria B

Use this option for goods produced entirely in a NAFTA country and may include non-NAFTA materials that satisfy the Rules of Origin.

Preference Criteria C

This criterion corresponds to goods produced entirely in NAFTA country exclusively from NAFTA materials.

Preference Criteria D

Goods that do not meet criteria B or C, but qualify if the regional value content requirement is met.

Preference Criteria E

Use for certain electronic items or parts qualifying under the provisions of Annex 308.1.

Preference Criteria F

Only applicable to specific agricultural goods that are exported from the U.S. into Mexico