The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are seeking views on how Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) provisions are working across all CPTPP markets, including how the customs and rules of origin provisions are operating. Made in Britain works closely with DBT including via its export programme to help its members access the support they need to sell their products globally.
On 15 December 2024, the UK officially became the first European nation to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This major trade bloc connects the UK to 11 dynamic economies across the Indo-Pacific region, providing access to markets and a boost to businesses, particularly SMEs.
Countries in the CPTPP are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the UK.
Made in Britain companies operating in CPTPP countries are encouraged to share their views any business intelligence, experiences, or examples.
See below for more details on the CPTPP Rules of Origin and Customs and some questions to guide your response.
Please send your feedback to trade@madeinbritain.org by 29 September and include: company name (if you are happy to share it); CPTPP markets operating in; details of the issue or barrier identified; and whether you would be interested in talking to us directly about the issue.
Business and industry feedback directly informs DBT’s policy engagement with CPTPP partners and helps shape future guidance and support for UK businesses.
To learn more about the benefits for your business and access practical guidance on trading with CPTPP countries, visit the individual market pages on the CPTPP business.gov.uk site to access 70+ practical guidance documents on how to utilise CPTPP. These cover topics including as rules of origin, business mobility, and tariff reductions. You will also find detailed sector-specific information and commercial opportunities available within these markets.
You will also be able to access CPTPP tariff information using the check how to export goods online tool for ratified countries. For countries where the UK has the bilateral trade agreements and CPTPP, the tool will also show the different tariff rates. The UK Integrated Online Tariff Tool also lets you check import duties and allows you to check the status of available tariff rate quotas.
Overview of the CPTPP’s Customs and Rules of Origin Provisions
The CPTPP’s customs and rules of origin (RoO) provisions apply across all member countries and are designed to facilitate trade by simplifying customs procedures, enhancing transparency, and enabling businesses to claim preferential tariffs.
These provisions include:
- Preferential Tariff Claims: Businesses may claim CPTPP preferences using either an origin declaration or importer’s knowledge, without the need for a Chamber of Commerce-stamped certificate.
- Rules of Origin Criteria: Goods must meet origin criteria such as being wholly obtained, produced exclusively from originating materials, or satisfying product-specific rules.
- Certification of Origin: CPTPP allows for self-certification, provided the certificate includes the minimum data elements outlined in Annex 3-B.
- Customs Cooperation: Members commit to cooperation on customs matters, including risk management, enforcement, and capacity building.
- Release of Goods: Members have committed to releasing goods within 48 hours of arrival, where possible. These provisions aim to reduce administrative burdens, improve predictability, and support seamless trade across CPTPP markets.
Divergent interpretations and implementation in practice
While CPTPP sets out clear commitments, implementation and interpretation can vary across member countries. Anecdotal feedback from exporters has highlighted a range of challenges in some markets. Illustrative examples include:
- Certificate Rejections: Origin certificates generated through national platforms being rejected due to unfamiliar formatting, despite meeting CPTPP requirements.
- Stamping Confusion: Use of Chamber of Commerce stamps leading to misinterpretation as non-preferential origin.
- Regional Inconsistencies: Local customs authorities initially declining CPTPP preferences due to uncertainty over ratification status.
In such cases, the UK government has worked with local customs authorities to identify interim solutions, such as adopting templates aligned with practices in other CPTPP economies. Long-term resolution will require sustained engagement and clarification of CPTPP obligations.
Questions
DBT is committed to ongoing monitoring and stakeholder engagement to ensure CPTPP’s customs and RoO provisions are implemented consistently and effectively.
Experience
What is your experience with the current customs clearance processes for your traded goods?
Comparative Insight
How does importing/exporting into CPTPP markets compare to other countries?
Barriers and difficulties
Have you experienced any inconsistencies or ambiguities in customs processes, documentation, or declarations? (e.g. rejecting certificates of origin for no justified reason)
Delays
Do you frequently experience delays at the border?
Are there any other customs or trade facilitation issues you’d like to raise?
To make contact with Made in Britain and find out more about the CPTPP, or learn more about Made in Britain’s upcoming international trade activity please email trade@madeinbritain.org.
By Made in Britain 2 days ago | By Made in Britain