CUSMA Template
Customer Guide: How to Use Your CUSMA Support Letter
This letter and the attached CUSMA declaration are meant to help you dispute or prevent
unnecessary tariff or border fees that may be charged by your shipping company or customs
broker. Since all TECH-53 products are manufactured in Canada and qualify under the
Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), they should not be subject to import duties when
shipped within North America.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. When do you use this document?
If your shipping company or customs broker contacts you ask for additional payment due to
tariffs, duties, or import fees send them the following before accepting or paying any fees :
• The CUSMA Tariff Exemption Request – Shipment Dispute Letter (template provided)
• The CUSMA Declaration (Certificate of Origin) (supplied below)
2. Who to send it to?
Send the documents directly to your shipping company’s customs or brokerage department. If you
are unsure who to contact:
• Reply to the email or invoice that mentioned the tariff fees
• Call the shipping company’s customer service and ask for the Customs/Brokerage or
Duties and Taxes Department
3. What to say?
You don’t need to write your own message or explanation. Simply fill in the blanks in the supplied CUSMA Tariff Exemption Request – Shipment Dispute Letter and attach the CUSMA Declaration (Certificate of Origin) document.
4. What happens next?
The shipping company will usually review the CUSMA documentation and forward it to their internal customs processing team. If your shipment already had tariffs applied, they should issue a
correction once eligibility is confirmed. If they insist that duties still apply, politely ask them to forward your documentation to their trade compliance or import department for review under CUSMA.
5. Need more help?
If you or your broker need any additional clarification, TECH-53 can provide direct confirmation of
origin or coordinate with your carrier. Simply contact us at info@tech-53.com for any further support.
Important: Keep a copy of the CUSMA declaration and invoice for your records in case the
shipping company requests additional verification.
Letter Template
CUSMA Tariff Exemption Request – Shipment Dispute Letter (Template)
To: [Insert Shipping Company Name]
Attn: Customs / Brokerage Department
Date: [Insert Date]
Subject: CUSMA Tariff Exemption Request – Shipment Dispute Letter – [Insert Customer Name / Order Reference]
Dear [Insert Shipping Company] Representative or Customs Department,
I am contacting you regarding the shipment associated with the above reference, which has been
flagged for customs duties or import tariffs.
The goods in this shipment were purchased from Tech-53, a Canadian manufacturer and supplier. According to the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), goods that originate within
North America is eligible for preferential tariff treatment and should not be subject to import
duties when traded between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Attached to this message is the CUSMA Declaration provided by Tech-53, which certifies the
North American origin of the products in question. This document confirms that the goods meet the
rules of origin required under CUSMA and therefore qualify for duty-free treatment.
I kindly request that this documentation be reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate customs or
brokerage department to ensure this shipment is processed without the application of additional
tariff fees.
Please advise if any further details or verification are required. I will be happy to coordinate with
Tech-53 should any additional supporting information be needed.
Thank you for your assistance and prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Insert Customer Name]
[Insert Customer Address]
[Insert Customer Contact Information]