Marking items as "made in the USA" for duties purposes

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A merchant asks how to ensure carriers/customs recognize products as made in the USA to reduce duties for Canadian customers.

Suggested steps:

  • Add “Made in the USA” to product descriptions (helps customers; not sufficient for carriers).
  • Include HS codes (Harmonized System commodity codes) and set country of origin to United States on shipping labels and customs forms; Shopify Shipping/ShipStation support this.
  • Attach a Certificate of Origin to validate U.S. origin and leverage USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) duty benefits.
  • Ensure customs declarations list “United States” as the origin for proper duty/exemption assessment.
  • Consult the shipping carrier for their specific requirements and documentation.

Key terms: HS codes classify goods for customs; USMCA can reduce/eliminate duties on qualifying U.S.-made goods; Certificate of Origin certifies product origin.

Outcome: No final confirmation from the merchant; guidance provided, discussion remains open.

Summarized with AI on December 21. AI used: gpt-5.
1

We are trying to mark our products as “made in the USA” to help alleviate our Canadian customers of so many import duties. Our products are made in the USA, but how do we go about this so that the shipping carrier knows?

2

Hi @arcanalacquer

Marking your products as “Made in the USA” is a great way to help Canadian customers with import duties. To ensure that your shipping carriers recognize this designation, you’ll need to take a few steps:

1. Include Country of Origin in Product Descriptions:- Start by clearly indicating “Made in the USA” in your product descriptions. While this won’t automatically notify the shipping carrier, it informs your customers and can be useful for customs documentation.

2. HS Codes and Country of Origin in Shipping Labels:- When you fulfill orders, make sure to include the Harmonized System (HS) codes and the country of origin (USA) on your shipping labels and customs declarations. Most shipping platforms integrated with Shopify, such as ShipStation or Shopify Shipping, allow you to specify these details. This will inform customs in Canada that the products are made in the USA, which can affect duty assessments.

3. Using a Certificate of Origin:- For added clarity, you might consider including a Certificate of Origin with your shipments. This official document certifies that the goods are made in the USA, which can be beneficial for reducing import duties under trade agreements like USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).

4. Customs Declarations:- Ensure that your customs declarations are filled out accurately, with “United States” as the country of origin. This will help Canadian customs authorities apply the appropriate duties (or exemptions) based on the USMCA.

5. Consult Your Shipping Carrier:- It’s a good idea to consult with your shipping carrier directly. They can provide specific guidance on how to mark your packages and what documentation to include to ensure the “Made in the USA” status is recognized by Canadian customs.

By clearly marking your products and ensuring all documentation reflects their origin, you can help your Canadian customers avoid unnecessary import duties, making the shopping experience smoother for them.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Regards,

Adebayo

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