The China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is the first free trade agreement signed between my country and a developed country. Since its official entry into force on October 1, 2008, Chinese companies have benefited from imports of New Zealand-originated goods of 247.14 billion yuan, an average annual increase of 23.1% since 2009, and tariff reductions of 28.39 billion yuan, an average annual increase of 31.5%. import costs of high-quality New Zealand products such as lamb, beef, dairy products, fruits, and natural honey have been further reduced.
It is understood that, in order to release the dividends of the origin policy, China Customs has actively implemented reform measures such as the “two certificates in one” for foreign trade operator filing and origin enterprise filing, self-service printing of origin certificates, and intelligent verification of origin certificates to realize export origin. The certificate of origin is handled electronically in the whole process. With the simplification of the export visa process and the shortening of the time for enterprises to apply for the permit, the sense of gain for enterprises has continued to increase.
With the certificate of origin issued by the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement issued by New Zealand, Comvita Food (China) Co., Ltd. imports a batch of New Zealand Manuka honey to enjoy a 15% tariff reduction, realizing zero-tariff imports, with a tax discount of 43.2 Ten thousand yuan. According to the person in charge of the company, in the face of the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, they still increased imports last year, largely due to the tariff reduction policy of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. In 2020, the value of the company's imports of New Zealand originated goods at Shenzhen Port and the amount of tariff reductions both increased significantly year-on-year, exceeding 80%. From 2018 to 2020, the company's imported goods valued at Shenzhen Port amounted to 260 million yuan, with a tax reduction of 41.149 million yuan.
In order to meet the needs of the domestic market and protect the development of domestic animal husbandry, the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement formulated the "Special Safeguard Measures for Agricultural Products" at the beginning of its implementation, setting a trigger level for the import quantity of milk and cream and other dairy products imported from New Zealand each year. Agricultural products imported within the trigger level can enjoy the agreed tax rate. After the cumulative amount of imports in the current year exceeds the trigger level, the re-imported agricultural products will be subject to tariffs at the most-favored-nation tax rate. For "agricultural products in transit" that have been contracted and shipped before the trigger, the agreed tax rate can still be applied after approval by the customs. In 2019, the Customs developed the "Applicable Certificate Management System for imported Agricultural Products Tariff Rates in Transit", which realized the automatic triggering of the import quantity of agricultural products in transit, and reminded enterprises of the remaining enjoyable import quota in real time.
"By applying for the qualification of importing agricultural products in transit, imported products enjoy preferential tariffs under the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, transaction costs are reduced, and product market competitiveness is improved." said Du Chengrong, executive general manager of C&D Logistics Group. According to statistics, in 2020, a total of 1.87 million tons of New Zealand agricultural products across the country will be imported through the application of the "Certificate of Application of imported Agricultural Products Tariff Rates".
While a large number of high-quality New Zealand products are imported with preferential tariff treatment, Chinese companies are also taking advantage of the preferential policies of the my country-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to expand exports. Since the implementation of the agreement, Chinese enterprises have applied for about 80,000 certificates of origin for exported goods, involving a value of 13.65 billion yuan, mainly for furniture and bedding, plastics and their products, and clothing.
The relevant person in charge of the Customs Department of the General Administration of Customs stated that the official signing of the upgrade protocol of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has improved the quality and efficiency of the free trade relationship between China and New Zealand. In terms of rules of origin and management, the provisions of the direct shipping clause have been improved, and an independent declaration system of the origin of approved exporters has been introduced to facilitate the enjoyment of enterprises. China-Singapore Customs will further improve the electronic networking of customs origin information and inject new impetus into the economic and trade development of the two countries. With the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in the future, the level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation will be further improved.
(Source: China Trade News)
