CPTPP General Review: Call for Submissions
The Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking submissions from businesses and other interested stakeholders on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as part its mandated three-year General Review.
United Kingdom Formal Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
On 1 February 2021, the United Kingdom (UK) formally requested accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and on 2 June 2021, the CPTPP Commission agreed to formally commence accession negotiations with the United Kingdom.
On 31 March 2023, CPTPP Ministers met virtually to discuss the UK accession to the CPTPP and announced the substantial conclusion of negotiations.
On 16 July 2023, Ministers responsible for trade from CPTPP Parties and the UK signed the UK’s Accession Protocol to enable the UK to join the CPTPP.
Read Assistant Minister for Trade, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres and Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell’s joint media release on the UK ‘s accession.
About the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.
The CPTPP was signed by the 11 countries on 8 March 2018 in Santiago, Chile.
The CPTPP entered into force on 30 December 2018 for:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Singapore
on 14 January 2019 for:
- Vietnam
on 19 September 2021 for:
- Peru
on 29 November 2022 for:
- Malaysia
and on 21 February 2023 for:
- Chile
and on 12 July 2023 for:
- Brunei Darussalam
This Agreement is a separate treaty that incorporates, by reference, the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement (signed but not yet in force), with the exception of a limited set of suspended provisions. The 11 countries have a shared vision of the CPTPP as a platform that is open to others to join if they are able to meet its high standards.
Importantly for Australia, the CPTPP ensures that the substantial market access package secured in the original TPP is maintained (i.e. covering goods and services market openings and commitments on regulations on foreign investment). This market access package will be implemented among the CPTPP Parties, delivering major new opportunities for Australian exporters, investors and firms engaged in international business. The CPTPP maintains the ambitious scope and high quality standards and rules of the original TPP.
Making the most of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
The CPTPP recognises the challenges facing Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in establishing export markets, and includes outcomes to help make this task easier in the CPTPP region. Further information may be found here:
Other resources available include:
-
DFAT's FTA Portal
The FTA Portal is a comprehensive resource for exporters, and importers of goods and services looking to explore the benefits of Australia's current free trade agreements and how to apply for preferential treatment under those FTAs.
-
Guide to using CPTPP to export and import goods
This guide has detailed information about how you can make the most of the CPTPP including how to make sure your goods qualify for tariff cuts.
-
Certification of Origin
Under the CPTPP, an importer may make a claim for preferential tariff treatment based on a Certification of Origin completed by:
- an importer
- an exporter, or
- a producer
Unlike other FTAs, under CPTPP this certification does not need to follow a prescribed format, however it must be in writing (including electronic) and must contain a set of minimum data requirements. A template to help you meet these requirements is available here:
Attachment C: Guide to using CPTPP certification of origin for template example [DOCX]
-
FAQ
Other useful information includes: