On April 8, 2025, the U.S. government announced a 90-day pause on its previously announced “reciprocal” global tariffs, reducing them to a 10% baseline—except for China, whose tariffs have now increased to 145%. This pause does not affect Canada: a 25% U.S. tariff still applies to non-CUSMA-compliant goods, including coffee exported from Canada, and Canada’s own 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods (including coffee) remains in effect. The Coffee Association of Canada will continue monitoring and updating members on these developments.
Members can access additional details in the Member Portal.
Resources
Tariff Status — Green Coffee
Direct Imports of Green Coffee into Canada
Green coffee beans imported directly into Canada from origin countries—including Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam— remain subject to a 0% duty on importation into Canada.
Re-Exporting Green Coffee to the U.S. (Unprocessed):
If green coffee is imported into Canada and re-exported to the U.S. without processing (e.g., remains unroasted), the U.S. will apply tariffs based on the original country of origin, not Canada. This means that there will be a 10% tariff as of April 5 replaced by higher tariffs as of April 9.
Re-Exporting Green Coffee that Has Been Roasted or Processed in Canada:
If green coffee is roasted in Canada before being exported to the U.S., under the U.S. IEEPA tariff structure, those become “products of Canada” and are subject to the 25% U.S. tariff that has been in place since March. This tariff remains in effect until reviewed, at which point adjustments may be considered for items not covered under CUSMA.
Certifying the Origin of Goods Under CUSMA
What does it mean for goods to be “CUSMA compliant”?
Goods that meet the rules of origin under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) are considered CUSMA compliant and may qualify for lower duty rates or exemptions from U.S. tariffs.
How do I determine if my goods qualify under CUSMA?
Identify the correct tariff classification for your goods.
Check the applicable rule of origin:
Wholly obtained (e.g., mined or harvested in Canada)
Product-specific rules, such as:
Tariff shift (a change in tariff classification from inputs to final product)
Value content (a percentage of the good’s value must be from North America)
Process requirement (specific processes must occur in North America)
Who can certify the origin of goods?
The exporter, producer, or importer can certify the origin. A specific form isn’t required—any commercial document (e.g., invoice) is acceptable if it includes required information.
What information must be included in a CUSMA Certification of Origin?
Certifier’s name, title, and contact details
Exporter, producer, and importer info (if different and known)
Description of the goods
6-digit HS tariff classification
Origin criteria
Time period of certification (for blanket coverage, max 12 months)
Invoice number (if applicable)
Authorized signature and this statement: “I certify that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. I assume responsibility for proving such representations…”
How long should I keep records supporting origin?
Under CUSMA: 5 years from the date of certification
Under Canadian law: 6 years
Where can I get help classifying goods or certifying origin?
Members are encouraged to consult with a trade compliance specialist or contact Canadian customs authorities for guidance.
Minimum Information Required
The CUSMA does not require that the exporter, producer or importer certifying the origin of the goods use a particular template or form. Instead, the certification could be set out in writing on any kind of commercial document, including an invoice, so long as it contains the following minimum data elements:
Language
English, French or Spanish.
Information about the Exporter (if different from the certifier)
Provide the exporter’s name, address (including country), e-mail address, and telephone number if different from the certifier. The address of the exporter must be the place of export of the good in a CUSMA Party’s territory. Note, this information is not required if the producer is completing the certification of origin and does not know the identity of the exporter.
Information about the Producer (if different from the certifier or exporter)
Provide the producer’s name, address (including country), e-mail address, and telephone number. If there are multiple producers, state “Various” or provide a list of producers. A person that wishes for this information to remain confidential may state “Available upon request by the importing authorities”. The address of a producer must be the place of production of the good in a Party’s territory.
Information about the Importer (if known)
The importer’s name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number. The address of the importer must be in a Party’s territory.
Description of the Goods
The description should be sufficient to relate it to the good covered by the certification.
HS Tariff Classification (6-digit level)
Include the tariff classification of the good covered by the certification to the 6-digit (sub-heading) level.
Origin Criteria
Specify the origin criteria under which the good qualifies, as set out in Article 4.2 of CUSMA.
Time Period of Certification (if blanket)
If the certification is for a blanket period, state the period during which the certification is applicable (cannot exceed 12 months from the date of certification).
Invoice Number (if single shipment)
If the certification of origin covers a single shipment of a good, indicate, if known, the invoice number related to the exportation.
Authorized Signature and Date
The certification must be signed and dated by the certifier and accompanied by the following statement:
“I certify that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. I assume responsibility for proving such representations and agree to maintain and present upon request or to make available during a verification visit, documentation necessary to support this certification.”
