Traders and exporters can enjoy preferential tariff treatment under the AANZFTA. To avail of this, goods must comply with the AANZFTA rules of origin.

The AANZFTA has established a mechanism where exporters should apply and obtain a Certificate of Origin (CO) in accordance with the Operational Certification Procedures that would ascertain that the goods being exported to another Party are eligible for preferential tariff treatment. This mechanism involves the following steps:

Step 1 - Pre-Export Examination

• Manufacturer/exporter decides on which ROO approach he wishes to follow.
• Make an application to the Issuing Authority/Body requesting a pre-export examination of the origin of the good to be exported.

Note: The result of the examination becomes part of the supporting evidence that the exporter will later use in his application for a CO. Pre-export examinations may not apply for goods for which, by their nature, origin can be easily determined.

Step 2 – Application for a CO

• Exporter makes an application to the Issuing Authority/Body for a CO. The application must include supporting evidence to prove that the good qualifies as originating, and some data requirements, which include information on the exporter; shipment details; and a full description of the goods.

Step 3 – Issuance of the Certificate of Origin

• The CO complying with the data requirements specified in the AANZFTA Agreement (Refer to Appendix 3 of the First Protocol - List of Data Requirements) must be issued as near as possible to, but no later than three (3) working days after, the date of exportation.
• For valid causes, COs may also be issued retroactively – but no longer than 12 months from the date of exportation.
• A CO shall be valid for a period of 12 months and must therefore be submitted to Customs authorities in an importing country within that period.

Step 4 – Send the Certificate of Origin to the Importer

• The original CO [See Note (1) below] should be forwarded by the exporter to the importer for submission to the Customs authorities in the importing country.
• Both the exporter and the Issuing Authority/Body keep copies of the CO.

Note: It is permissible to declare multiple goods on the same Certificate of Origin provided that each good is originating in its own right.

Step 5 – Importer submits Certificate of Origin with import declaration

• If requested by importing customs authority, the importer submits the CO, along with the other documentary requirements, to the Customs authorities of the importing country at the time of importation and claims preferential tariff treatment for the good.

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(1) The Certificate of Origin shall: (i) be in hardcopy; (ii) bear a unique reference number separately given by each place or office of issuance; (iii) be in the English language; and (iv) bear an authorised signature and official seal of the Issuing Authority/Body. The signature and official seal may be applied electronically.