The CSCB has followed up and requested clarification to information from the (Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) regarding the validity of scanned NAFTA
Certificates of Origin. The following e-mail exchange between the CSCB and CBSA should clarify any outstanding concerns members might have. CSCB
Q: Is a NAFTA Certificate of Origin,
signed with an original signature and faxed to another party's fax machine, acceptable to the CBSA?
CBSA
A: Yes, fax copies of NAFTA Certificates of Origin are acceptable.
CSCB
Q: Is a NAFTA Certificate of Origin, signed with an original signature, then scanned and sent through a computer to another party's fax machine, acceptable to the CBSA?
CBSA
A: Yes, a scanned copy of a Certificate signed with an original signature is acceptable.
CSCB
Q: Is a NAFTA Certificate of Origin, signed with an original
signature, sent by fax to another party's fax line which is attached to a computer network configured to receive and manage incoming faxes for storage or printing acceptable to the CBSA?
CBSA
A: Yes, as the end product in questions 1 and 3 would be the same, a fax copy of a Certificate signed with an original signature is acceptable.
CSCB
Q: Last, we understand
that many companies have created software programs that produce a NAFTA Certificate of Origin. Are there guidelines for these types of programs?
CBSA
A: In response to your last
question, there are no guidelines governing the development of the software programs used to generate certificates of origin. Self-generated certificates of origin must be approved by CBSA.
