New Zealand Customs announced that from 1 April 2019, individuals and businesses will be subject to a new range of instant fines if they are found breaching Customs requirements.
New Zealand has adopted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (an international agreement that regulates substances that deplete the ozone layer). The Amendment means that after 31 December 2019, a permit will be required to import or export hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
On 22 January, the Department for International Trade (DIT) announced that the UK and New Zealand had signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that maintains all relevant aspects of the current EU-New Zealand mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment. The MRA helps to facilitate trade flows between the two nations and means UK exporters can ensure goods are compliant with New Zealand’s technical regulations before they depart the UK, saving businesses time, money and resources. New Zealand exporters to the UK benefit in the same way.
On January 19, 2019, Global Affairs Canada reported that the inaugural Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission meeting was successfully concluded. The CPTPP Commission, consisting of representatives from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam (the countries for which the CPTPP has entered into force), met in Tokyo, Japan and concluded their session by issuing a Ministerial statement. The Commission meeting allowed CPTPP countries to chart a course for next steps as well as agree on a framework for the accession of new members. The Ministerial Statement follows:
On 12 November 2018, the Vietnam National Assembly ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP”), which came into effect on 30 December 2018 for the first six ratifying Members and on 14 January 2019 for Vietnam.
On 30 December 2018, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP or TPP-11) will enter into force for Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore. On 14 January 2019, the TPP-11 will enter into force for Vietnam. DHA Notice № 2018/37 summarises the implementation for goods.
On December 5, 2018, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued Customs Notice 18-22 Implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which announces that the CPTPP will be implemented in Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore on December 30, 2018. Additionally, the Agreement will enter into force for Vietnam on January 14, 2019. With the exception of a few agricultural goods, the CPTPP will essentially eliminate the customs duties on all qualifying imports into Canada from a country for which the CPTPP is in force (“CPTPP country”), either immediately upon implementation of the agreement, or through a tariff phase-out. At the time of issuance of CN 18-22, not all CPTPP member countries will have completed their domestic ratification process and identified an implementation date. As the remaining CPTPP member countries reach ratification and confirm an implementation date, a separate customs notice will be issued. The text of the CPTPP is available at the Global Affairs website.
On 12 November 2018 the Vietnam National Assembly officially ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP”). The agreement has already been ratified by Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore and it will enter into force on 30 December 2018 in those countries.
On 25 October 2018, New Zealand formally ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) bringing the number of ratifications to four. Canada cleared its last legislative hurdle when the Senate approved it on October 25 and Royal Assent was given the same day. Canada became the fifth to ratify when it notified New Zealand of its ratification on October 29, 2018. The Australian House and Senate also approved it and sent it to the Governor General who has given Royal Assent.
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is moving forward and has gained momentum recently as Japan, Singapore and Mexico have ratified the 11-party agreement and Australia’s ratification is imminent because the deal recently passed both Houses of Parliament. Canada is closing in on ratification as well.