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On the 1st June 2023, the UK trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand will come into force.
Traders will be able to claim preferential duty rates (Usually 0%) when importing the goods either into the UK or Australia and New Zealand, some goods mainly agricultural will be subject to quotas initially but these will be phased out over time. To claim preference, the traders must ensure that their goods meet the origin requirements laid out in the treaties.
Details of the agreements can be found here:
UK – Australia
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-australia-free-trade-agreement
Origin section
UK-New Zealand
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-new-zealand-free-trade-agreement
Origin section
A declaration is not required if the goods are valued at less than a £1000.00 (2000.00 New Zealand Dollars or 1000.00 Australian Dollars.
Preference can be claimed by making an invoice declaration or by importers knowledge. Although there is not an agreed format or wording for such an invoice declaration the treaties do state the following data requirements must be included either in the accompanying commercial documents (Such as an invoice) and as per point 9 below a commercial document must include the relevant statement and be signed and dated.
DATA REQUIREMENTS –
A declaration of origin that is the basis for a claim for preferential tariff treatment under this Agreement must include the following elements:
- Exporter, Producer, or Authorised Representative of the Exporter or Producer
Indicate whether the signatory is the exporter, or producer in accordance with Article 4.18 (Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment). In the case of an authorised representative, indicate whether the declaration of origin has been completed on behalf of the exporter, producer, or both.
- Signatory
Provide the signatory’s name, company name (if applicable), address (including country), telephone number, and e-mail address.
- Exporter
Provide the exporter’s name, address (including country), e-mail address, and telephone number if different from the signatory. For UK exporters, provide the UK exporter reference number where one has been assigned. The address of the exporter must be in the exporting Party. This information is not required if the producer is completing the declaration of origin and does not know the identity of the exporter.
- Producer
Provide the producer’s name, address (including country), e-mail address, and telephone number, if different from the certifier or exporter or, if there are multiple producers, state “Various” or provide a list of producers. A person that wishes for this information to remain confidential may state “Available upon request by the importing authorities”. The address of a producer must be the place of production of the good in a Party.
- Importer
Provide, if known, the importer’s name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number. The address of the importer must be in a Party.
- Description and HS Tariff Classification of the Good
(a) Provide a description of the good and the Harmonized System tariff classification of the good to the six-digit level. The 4A – 1 description should be sufficient to relate it to the good covered by the declaration of origin; and
(b) If the declaration of origin covers a single shipment of a good, indicate, if known, the invoice number related to the exportation.
- Origin Criterion
Specify the rule of origin under which the good qualifies.
- Period for multiple shipments
If the declaration of origin covers multiple shipments of identical goods for a specified period of up to 12 months as set out in paragraph 3 of Article 4.18 (Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment), state the period during which such shipments will be made.
- Authorised Signature and Date
Australia
If the exporter or producer is the signatory, the declaration of origin must be signed and dated by the signatory, and accompanied by the following statement:
I (the exporter/the producer) declare that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. I (the exporter/the producer) assume responsibility for proving such representations and agree to maintain and present upon request or to make available during a verification visit, documentation necessary to support this declaration of origin.
If an authorised representative of the exporter or producer is the signatory, the declaration of origin must be signed, dated and accompanied by the following statement:
I (the authorised representative of the exporter/producer) declare that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. The exporter or the producer, as the case may be, assumes responsibility for providing such representations and agrees to maintain and present upon request or to make available during a verification visit, documentation necessary to support this declaration of origin.
New Zealand
The exporter/producer certifies that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. The exporter/producer assumes responsibility for proving such representations and agrees to maintain and present upon request, or to make available during a verification visit, documentation necessary to support this origin declaration.
BCC responds to new Australia and New Zealand trade deals
Reacting to the new UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand trade deals which entered into effect at midnight, BCC Head of Trade, William Bain, said:
“A new era of international trade will begin today as the first trade agreements agreed by the United Kingdom since it left the European Union come into force.
“Combined bilateral trade with Australia and New Zealand amounts to over £15bn per year. Inward foreign direct investment from both countries into the UK is £16.6bn, and in the other direction represents a combined £42.1bn.
“By 2035, the Australia deal could boost our economy by £2.3bn per year, and the New Zealand deal by £0.8bn, over the long-term, with benefits felt across the UK.
“For UK firms exporting green goods and services to New Zealand, the agreement offers world leading terms. As the World Trade Organisation recently pointed out, if we get the right fundamentals in place, we can double green trade exports by 2030.
“Of course, the success of any free trade agreement comes down to whether businesses use it and across the UK only 10% of firms are currently exporting.
“If we are to realise the UK’s ambition to be at the forefront of the continuing revolution in life sciences, digital services and green innovation we must look to trade more.
“A recent BCC survey found almost a quarter of firms (23%) said finding a business partner or distributor overseas would encourage them to either start exporting or export more.
“There are strong Chambers of Commerce in both Australia and New Zealand that are affiliated to the BCC, and we will be working with them to get the most from these trade deals for all our economies.
“Having those contacts, that local market understanding and full recognition of the rules and procedures that apply in a destination country can make all the difference between success and failure.
“The message to any business thinking about selling goods and services to New Zealand and Australia is a simple one – there really is no better time to take the plunge.”
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