Find answers to your top questions related to CUSMA certification with Chit Chats. Learn more about CUSMA certification and how it may affect you here. 

Once your products have been submitted for approval - you will need confirmation of approval BEFORE preferential duty-free treatment will be seen at time of DDP postage purchase. 

How long does the approval process take?

  • After submission and if there aren't any errors, please expect same day approval. 

Do I need to submit CUSMA for each of my SKUs?

  • CUSMA approval is based on a valid HTS Code and Country of Origin (Canada, United States or Mexico) - SKUs are no longer required for CUSMA certification
Be sure to check your HTS code is valid on the US site and indicates CUSMA treatment (Special column indicated by an 'S' or doesn't have a general rate of duty)
  • If you have products with new HTS Codes you will need to submit CUSMA approval for new HTS Codes (once approved, validity is one year)


If I change my descriptions when creating shipments, would this affect my CUSMA eligibility?  

It does not affect your CUSMA eligibility since description alone isn't a variable needed for the CUSMA combination. As long as you use the right combination of COO and HTS, you will get access to the CUSMA rate. 


Do I need to submit CUSMA if I don't see an S or S+ on the US site in the Special Duty column?

  • Yes, if your shipment is of Mexico or Canada origin and it does not have any General Rate of duties, you will still need to submit CUSMA with a valid 10 digit HTS code . 
  • Remember blanket tariffs could apply. Duties & tariffs are determined by country of origin AND 10 digit HTS code. 

If CUSMA approved, why am I seeing fees?

  • If your product is approved for CUSMA duty-free treatment you will see the following fees
    • Postage cost
    • Chit Chats Insurance (optional)
    • Customs Processing
      • Flat fee per shipment, covering administrative costs for informal entry into the U.S. It is a flat fee per shipment (1.35 USD flat fee*).
    •  Broker Line Item 
      • Fee for our broker to process the individual line items in the shipment (0.15 USD / line item*).
        • Example: You are shipping 1 t-shirt, 2 mugs and 3 pins = 3 shipment item
  • *These fees are subject to change – we have worked hard to keep these as low as possible as we understand sellers are grappling with having to now pay duties on top of postage costs up front. 


I made a mistake. How can I cancel my CUSMA submission?

  • Currently you will have to wait to resubmit a new CUSMA request. Our team is working hard to continue to improve this new system.

While we are experts in shipping logistics and providing solutions to get your goods into the U.S., we are not licensed customs professionals and do not specialize in tariff classifications or trade compliance matters.

Trade Commissioner

For questions specifically related to HTS codes, country of origin, CUSMA regulations, we strongly recommend consulting a licensed customs broker or trade compliance expert. That said, we’re always here to help guide you through the process and connect you with trusted resources when needed. Our goal is to make your cross-border shipping experience as smooth and efficient as possible.