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North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Definition & Meaning | Logistics Glossary

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GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Customs brokers and exporters moving goods between the United States, Canada, and Mexico relied on NAFTA – the North American Free Trade Agreement – as their governing framework for preferential trade for more than two decades.

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Customs brokers and exporters moving goods between the United States, Canada, and Mexico relied on NAFTA – the North American Free Trade Agreement – as their governing framework for preferential…

Entering into force in 1994, the agreement progressively eliminated tariffs and established rules of origin that became particularly significant for the automotive and electronics sectors.

NAFTA was superseded on July 1, 2020, by the USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement), which introduced updated provisions on origin certification, labor standards, and digital trade.

Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement

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North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

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Definition & Explanation

Customs brokers and exporters moving goods between the United States, Canada, and Mexico relied on NAFTA – the North American Free Trade Agreement – as their governing framework for preferential trade for more than two decades. Entering into force in 1994, the agreement progressively eliminated tariffs and established rules of origin that became particularly significant for the automotive and electronics sectors. NAFTA was superseded on July 1, 2020, by the USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement), which introduced updated provisions on origin certification, labor standards, and digital trade. NAFTA Certificates of Origin are no longer accepted for preferential tariff claims; USMCA certification requirements apply instead. The name NAFTA still appears regularly as a historical reference in legacy contracts, supplier agreements, and compliance documentation.

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Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta), accessed 2026-09-17
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2025). North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta
BibTeX: @misc{northamericanfree2025, title = {North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2025}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-09-17} }

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