On July 1, 2020, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register an interim final rule [USCBP-2020-0036; CBP Dec. 20-11], which amends the CBP regulations to implement the rules of origin provisions for preferential tariff treatment of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). The document sets forth the framework for CBP regulations that provides further guidance regarding the rules of origin for those seeking USMCA preferential tariff treatment and includes the text of the Uniform Regulations regarding rules of origin, as trilaterally agreed upon by the United States, the United Mexican States (Mexico), and Canada. Because the USMCA supersedes the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) when the USMCA enters into force on July 1, 2020, this document also amends the NAFTA regulations to reflect that the NAFTA provisions do not apply to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after July 1, 2020.

Interested persons are invited to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments on this interim final rule. As stated in the Federal Register, CBP will not accept comments upon the Uniform Regulations regarding rules of origin trilaterally agreed upon and contained in Appendix A to part 182 of title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (19 CFR part 182). CBP also invites comments that relate to the economic, environmental, or federalism effects that might result from the interim final rule. Comments that will provide the most assistance to CBP will reference a specific portion of the interim final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include data, information or authority that support such recommended change. The interim final rule is effective on July 1, 2020; comments must be received by August 31, 2020.