Daralbeida™
DAB-SOP-MAFTA-001 · Rev 1 · April 2026

MAFTA Blanket Certification
Standard Operating Procedure

U.S.–Morocco Free Trade Agreement · Preferential Tariff Claim · 19 CFR Part 10, Subpart M
Document ID DAB-SOP-MAFTA-001
Product EVOO — HTS 1509.10.4000
SPI Code (ACE) BH
Duty Rate 0% (MAFTA)
MPF Not Exempt — Applies
Purpose of this SOP. This document defines how Daralbeida establishes, maintains, and presents evidence for preferential tariff treatment under the U.S.–Morocco Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) on imports of extra virgin olive oil. It covers two claim pathways: (1) the Blanket Declaration covering multiple identical shipments within a 12-month period, and (2) the Low-Value Simplified Statement applicable to commercial invoice value at or below $2,500. This SOP is issued to the importer of record, the customs broker, and the Moroccan exporter/producer, and governs all Daralbeida shipments effective from date of first US import.
§ 01 Regulatory Basis & Key Facts
Governing Regulations

19 CFR Part 10, Subpart M — Full MAFTA implementing regulations

19 CFR § 10.763 — How to make a preference claim (SPI "BH")

19 CFR § 10.764 — Declaration content and blanket period rules

19 CFR § 10.765 — Importer obligations and liability

19 CFR § 10.768 — Effect of non-compliance / denial of preference

19 CFR Part 143, Subpart C — Informal entry for shipments ≤ $2,500

GN 27, HTSUS — Rules of origin for MAFTA goods

Key Facts — MAFTA for Daralbeida EVOO

HTS subheading: 1509.10.4000 — Virgin olive oil, valued over $2/kg, in containers over 18 kg. Base MFN duty: 5¢/kg + 6.9%. MAFTA rate: 0% since Jan 1, 2012.

No mandatory government form. CBP confirms a free-form Declaration with all 19 CFR § 10.764 data elements is fully valid.

MAFTA does NOT provide MPF exemption. The Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%, min $31.67, max $614.35) still applies to all formal entries.

Origin rule for EVOO: Good must be wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of Morocco (100% Moroccan-harvested olives, pressed in Morocco). This is the "wholly obtained" category under GN 27(b).

§ 02 Low-Value Threshold Matrix — Which Pathway Applies

CBP maintains two entry tiers based on commercial invoice value. The FTA certification requirement differs across these tiers. The table below defines the applicable pathway for Daralbeida shipments by batch size.

Tier 1 · ≤ $2,500

Entry type: Informal (19 U.S.C. 1498 / 19 CFR Part 143C)

FTA documentation: A short written statement on the commercial invoice is sufficient. No standalone Declaration required at time of entry — but must be producible on CBP request.

Daralbeida context: Likely applies to air-freight sample runs or very small pilot batches (e.g., <150 units at $14–16 FOB/unit).

Invoice statement: See Section 5 for exact wording.

Tier 2 · $2,501–Blanket

Entry type: Formal (19 U.S.C. 1484 / 19 CFR Part 142)

FTA documentation: Full Declaration under § 10.764 required; must be in importer's possession at time of claim and submitted to CBP on request.

Daralbeida context: Applies to all LCL and FCL shipments — the 100–500 unit test batch and all Year 1 shipments.

Recommendation: Issue a Blanket Declaration at Year-start covering all planned shipments of identical EVOO.

Tier 3 · Blanket (Full Year)

Entry type: Formal — all FCL shipments

FTA documentation: Single Blanket Declaration (up to 12 months) covers all shipments of identical goods. Each entry references the Blanket Declaration by date and document number.

Daralbeida context: The correct Year 1 structure once Year 1 operational shipments begin. One Blanket Declaration covers both FCL shipments targeting ~4,000 units.

Renewal: Issue a new Blanket Declaration each calendar year.

Note on "commercial invoice value" vs. appraised value. CBP uses transaction value (the price actually paid by the importer to the exporter) for classification under the $2,500 informal entry threshold — not the US retail price. For a 100-unit LCL batch at $12–15 FOB/unit, commercial invoice value = $1,200–$1,500, qualifying for the Tier 1 simplified statement pathway. For the 500-unit batch at $12–15 FOB, invoice value = $6,000–$7,500, falling squarely in Tier 2/3 formal entry territory.
§ 03 Required Data Elements — 19 CFR § 10.764 Declaration

The following table lists every data element required for a compliant MAFTA Declaration. All elements marked Required must appear in the free-form Declaration. Elements marked Blanket-specific apply only when the Declaration covers multiple shipments. Elements marked Advisory are best practice for audit readiness.

# Data Element Type Daralbeida Standard Entry
DE-01 Importer name, address, telephone, e-mail Required Legal name of the US importing entity, full address, contact details of signatory
DE-02 Exporter name, address (if different from certifier) Required Moroccan producer/exporter legal name + Casablanca or registered address
DE-03 Producer name, address (if known and different) Required If importer = exporter = producer, note "same as above" or declare as Daralbeida-contracted producer
DE-04 Description of the good Required "Extra Virgin Olive Oil, cold-pressed, Picholine Marocaine variety, bottled in Morocco, 0.5L / 1.0L dark glass bottles"
DE-05 HTS subheading (HTSUS) Required 1509.10.4000
DE-06 Preference criterion / rule of origin basis Required "Wholly obtained — the good is wholly the growth, product, and manufacture of the Kingdom of Morocco, as defined under GN 27(b)(i), HTSUS"
DE-07 Country of origin Required Morocco
DE-08 Blanket period (start and end dates) Blanket Format: MM/DD/YYYY to MM/DD/YYYY · Max span: 12 months · E.g., 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2026
DE-09 Statement that goods are "identical" for blanket purposes Blanket "The goods covered by this Declaration are identical in all respects relevant to the production that qualifies them for preferential tariff treatment under the MAFTA."
DE-10 Certifier's truth-and-accuracy statement Required Verbatim statement per § 10.764 — see Section 4 template
DE-11 Signature + title of authorized individual Required Must be a person with knowledge of the facts and authority to legally bind the company. Digital signature (image of handwritten) accepted by CBP.
DE-12 Date of signing Required Date the Declaration is executed — before or concurrent with first shipment of the blanket period
DE-13 Invoice number(s) / Bill of Lading reference(s) Advisory For single shipments: include. For blanket: reference lot records (DAB-LOT-YYYY-NNN) as generated shipments occur
DE-14 Certificate of Origin from Moroccan Chamber of Commerce Advisory Not legally required by CBP to claim MAFTA preference — but held on file as corroborating evidence and required to avoid the 5¢/kg + 6.9% fallback duty on audit
§ 04 Blanket Declaration Template — Free-Form (19 CFR § 10.764)

The following is Daralbeida's standard free-form Declaration. All fields in blue underline are to be completed before execution. This document must be signed, dated, and retained in the importer's files. It is not submitted at time of entry — it is produced on CBP request.

MAFTA Blanket Declaration of Origin Free-form · 19 CFR § 10.764 · Valid for one (1) blanket period not exceeding 12 months

Document No.:  DAB-MAFTA-[YEAR]-[NNN] 

DECLARATION OF ORIGIN
United States–Morocco Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA)
Pursuant to 19 CFR Part 10, Subpart M, Section 10.764


Importer of Record

Name:  [Legal entity name] 

Address:  [Street, City, State, ZIP] 

Telephone:  [+1-XXX-XXX-XXXX]    E-mail:  [email@daralbeida.com] 

Exporter / Producer (Moroccan Supplier)

Name:  [Producer legal name, e.g. SOHNA or contracted estate] 

Address:  [Street, City, Morocco] 

Telephone / E-mail:  [+212-XXX-XXX-XXX / email] 

Description of Goods

Product: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), cold-pressed, Picholine Marocaine variety, produced and bottled in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Packaging:  [0.5L / 1.0L]  dark glass bottles, sealed with induction liner, labelled "Product of Morocco."

HTS Subheading (HTSUS): 1509.10.4000

Country of Origin: Morocco

Blanket Period

This Declaration covers multiple importations of identical goods during the following blanket period:

From:  MM/DD/YYYY    To:  MM/DD/YYYY    (not to exceed 12 months)

The goods covered by this Declaration are identical in all respects relevant to the production that qualifies them for preferential tariff treatment under the MAFTA.

Preference Criterion / Basis of Origin Claim

The above-described goods qualify as originating goods under the United States–Morocco Free Trade Agreement on the following basis:

Wholly Obtained — The goods are wholly the growth, product, and manufacture of the Kingdom of Morocco. The olives from which this extra virgin olive oil is produced were grown, harvested, cold-pressed, and bottled entirely within the territory of Morocco. No non-originating materials were used in the production of this good. This claim is made pursuant to General Note 27(b)(i), HTSUS.

Certifier's Statement

"The information on this document is true and accurate and I assume the responsibility for proving such representations. I understand that I am liable for any false statements or material omissions made on or in connection with this document. I agree to maintain, and present upon request, documentation necessary to support this Declaration, and to inform in writing all persons to whom this Declaration was given of any changes that could affect the accuracy or validity of this Declaration. I understand that making a false statement in order to receive a benefit or privilege will subject me and the company I represent to criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001."

Signature of Authorized Official

Printed Name & Title

Date (MM/DD/YYYY)

This document consists of 1 page. Retain for a minimum of five (5) years from date of importation per 19 CFR § 163.4. This declaration may be transmitted to CBP electronically pursuant to any CBP-authorized EDI system. A digital image of a handwritten signature is accepted by CBP.

§ 05 Simplified Invoice Statement — Shipments at or Below $2,500

For commercial shipments where the transaction value (FOB invoice price paid to the Moroccan exporter) does not exceed $2,500, a formal standalone Declaration is generally not required at time of entry. The importer proceeds under informal entry procedures per 19 CFR Part 143, Subpart C. A concise written statement embedded directly on the commercial invoice is sufficient to claim the 0% MAFTA preferential rate.

Critical distinction. "Sufficient at time of entry" does not mean "exempt from documentation." The Declaration must still be producible on CBP request under § 10.764. The invoice statement establishes the prima facie claim; the underlying origin evidence (Certificate of Origin from Moroccan Chamber of Commerce, producer affidavit, mill records) must be retained in file regardless of shipment size. The $2,500 threshold governs entry formality, not recordkeeping.

The following statement must appear verbatim (or in substantially equivalent language) as a distinct, clearly labelled block on the commercial invoice, in English:

MAFTA ORIGIN STATEMENT

I hereby certify that the goods described on this invoice — extra virgin olive oil (HTS 1509.10.4000), [quantity] × [SKU], valued at USD [amount] — are wholly the growth, product, and manufacture of the Kingdom of Morocco, and qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Morocco Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) pursuant to 19 CFR Part 10, Subpart M. The applicable Special Program Indicator is BH. I certify that the information stated herein is true and accurate, and I accept responsibility for this representation.

Authorized signatory: __________________________   Title: __________________________

Date: _________________    Company: Daralbeida™

SPI "BH" on the entry summary. Regardless of shipment value or entry type, the importer's customs broker must prefix the HTS subheading with "BH" on the ACE entry summary to affirmatively claim MAFTA preference. Without the SPI, CBP will apply the MFN duty rate (5¢/kg + 6.9%) by default. Instruct the broker at every shipment. This applies at every entry tier.
§ 06 Operational Procedure — Steps by Shipment Type
Path A — Formal Entry (Shipment Value > $2,500)
  • 1
    Confirm blanket period coverageVerify that the current shipment date falls within the active Blanket Declaration period. If not, execute a new Declaration before shipment departs Casablanca.
  • 2
    Coordinate with Moroccan exporterEnsure the commercial invoice shows: HTS 1509.10.4000, country of origin Morocco, net weight in kg, and invoice unit price in USD. Request the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin (CO) simultaneously.
  • 3
    Brief the customs brokerConfirm broker will claim SPI "BH" on the CBP Form 7501 / ACE entry summary. Provide the Blanket Declaration document number and date for the broker's records.
  • 4
    File ISF (10+2)Submit Importer Security Filing ≥ 24 hours before vessel loading in Casablanca. Include HTS, country of origin, exporter and manufacturer details.
  • 5
    File FDA Prior NoticeSubmit via ACE ≥ 8 hours before arrival at first US port. Olive oil is an FDA-regulated food — no de minimis exemption exists from this requirement.
  • 6
    Retain documentationFile the Blanket Declaration, Moroccan CO, commercial invoice, and B/L together. This packet is the CBP audit response package. Minimum retention: 5 years.
Path B — Informal Entry (Shipment Value ≤ $2,500)
  • 1
    Verify invoice valueConfirm the commercial invoice FOB price to the Moroccan exporter is ≤ $2,500 total. Use actual transaction price paid — not US retail price.
  • 2
    Insert MAFTA origin statement on invoicePlace the verbatim statement from Section 5 of this SOP as a distinct labelled block on the commercial invoice. Sign and date.
  • 3
    Instruct broker — SPI "BH"Even for informal entries, the SPI must appear on the entry documentation to activate the 0% rate. Confirm this with the broker explicitly.
  • 4
    File FDA Prior NoticeRequired for all food shipments regardless of value, per CSMS #65581188 (July 2025). No exemption applies to food products.
  • 5
    Prepare supporting fileEven though no standalone Declaration is submitted, maintain the full § 10.764 Declaration in your files in case CBP requests it post-entry. The invoice statement does not replace this file — it supplements it.
  • 6
    Note for first test batchIf the 100-unit pilot batch FOB value falls below $2,500, Path B applies at entry. However, all 3PL routing, damage inspection, and FNSKU labeling procedures remain unchanged — Path B affects customs formality only, not physical logistics.
§ 07 Record Retention & Audit Readiness

Per 19 CFR § 163.4, all import records — including FTA declarations and supporting origin documentation — must be retained for a minimum of five (5) years from the date of importation. CBP may initiate an origin verification at any time within this window. CBP verification can result in denial of preferential tariff treatment and retroactive assessment of the MFN duty rate plus interest for all shipments under the blanket period if a material error is found.

Document MAFTA Blanket Declaration (DAB-MAFTA-[YEAR]-[NNN])
Retention Period 5 years from last shipment under the blanket period
Storage Location DAB Trade Compliance folder / customs broker file
Document Moroccan Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin
Retention Period 5 years per shipment
Storage Location Per DAB-LOT record; cross-filed with Blanket Declaration
Document Commercial invoice, B/L, packing list (each shipment)
Retention Period 5 years from date of importation
Storage Location DAB-LOT record folder, linked to Lot ID
Document Producer affidavit / mill records (origin corroboration)
Retention Period 5 years; renewed with each new producer contract
Storage Location DAB-SOP-SOURCING-001 producer qualification file

Prepared by
Pierre-Yves · Founder, Daralbeida™
Legal Review
Todd J. Cleary, Esq. · Trade Counsel
Effective Date
Upon execution of first US import entry