Australia`s Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is an international system of preferential tariffs designed to promote economic growth in developing countries. Under the Generalized System of Preferences, New Zealand grants special treatment to certain products recognized as least developed countries (LDCs) or least developed countries (LDCs). The CER built on New Zealand`s previous Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was signed on August 31, 1965 and entered into force on January 1, 1966. NAFTA had lifted four-fifths of tariffs between the two countries and quantitative restrictions on trade across the Tasman Sea. However, it was seen as too complex and bureaucratic, and in March 1980 a joint statement by the prime minister was issued calling for “closer economic relations”. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement between New Zealand and Hong Kong and China (NZ-HKC CEP) was signed on 29 September. It was signed in Hong Kong in March 2010 and entered into force on 1 January 2011. The agreement allows originating products exported from Hong Kong, China, to benefit from preferential tariff treatment when imported into New Zealand. Currently, all goods imported into Hong Kong, China, regardless of their origin, are duty-free. The agreement ensures that New Zealand goods imported into Hong Kong, China, will remain duty-free in the future. The 1988 CER Protocol on Trade in Services (external link) allowed free trade in almost all services and gave New Zealand and Australian service suppliers extensive access to the respective markets. The Protocol contains certain exclusions (areas where full access is not granted) that have been regularly reviewed and significantly reduced over time. Information on the rules of origin and the use of this agreement is available in FactSheet 30 – Closer Economic Partnership Agreement with Thailand (PDF 262 KB).

More information about the Thai CEP can also be found on the MFAT website. Goods may be carried by a non-Party to the Agreement and may maintain preference. However, the goods may not enter the trade or industry of a third party or undergo certain operations other than unloading, transhipment, repackaging and other procedures necessary to keep the goods in good condition during transport by that third party. For further questions regarding free trade agreements, send an email [email protected] – we will endeavor to respond to emails within 48 hours. All goods that comply with the CER`s rules of origin can be traded duty-free between New Zealand and Australia. ANZCERTA has been recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a model free trade agreement covering a wide range of trade issues – essentially all transtasmanic trade in goods, including agricultural products and services. New Zealand also has bilateral trade agreements with Malaysia, Australia and Thailand. Traders should determine which agreement offers the greatest benefit to their imported/exported products. For most goods, goods originating in New Zealand under this Agreement need not be accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by a certification body. The South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA) is a non-reciprocal trade agreement in which New Zealand (with Australia) offers preferential tariff treatment for certain products manufactured or manufactured by Pacific Islands Forum countries (known as “Forum Island Countries”).

There is no preferential duty rate for New Zealand goods exported to a Forum Island country. The importer may choose the form of proof of origin that he requires from the exporter or manufacturer, provided that it contains all the necessary information. A handy template is available for merchants if they wish. The new Austrade experience gives you access to on-demand services to take the next step in your export journey and move forward faster. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) support New Zealand traders (exporters and importers) by improving access to partner markets and removing barriers to trade (such as customs procedures) in these markets. The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4) agreement is an agreement between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Singapore and New Zealand. The P4 agreement, which stands for “Pacific 4”, entered into force in 2006. Under P4, most tariffs on goods traded between member countries were lifted immediately, with the remaining duties expiring (until 2015 for Brunei Darussalam and 2017 for Chile).

Austrade has detailed information on business activities in New Zealand and ASEAN countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Thailand is also a party to the AANZFTA agreement. Distributors should determine which agreement is best for their imported/exported products. The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, commonly referred to as closer economic relations (CER), is a free trade agreement between the governments of New Zealand and Australia. It entered into force on 1 January 1983, but the treaty itself was not signed until 28 March 1983 by the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Trade Lionel Bowen and the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Australia, Laurie Francis, in Canberra, Australia. New Zealand has a second free trade agreement with Australia – AANZFTA – between New Zealand, Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In most cases, it is preferable to use the CER to export goods to Australia. The Closer Economic Agreement between Australia and New Zealand (ANZCERTA), which entered into force in 1983, was Australia`s first bilateral agreement. ANZCERTA has created one of the most open and successful free trade agreements in the world. Chronology: The CER replaced New Zealand`s 1965 Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Talks began in the late 1970s and a new agreement was reached in December 1982.

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