The New Zealand Customs Service has issued replacement set for Amendments to the Working Tariff Document. These replacement pages came into effect on 1 January.
At the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (“APEC“) Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, the 11 remaining countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (“TPP11“) took a significant step forward to finalize a new agreement now referred to as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP“). Media reports were mixed as some outlets reported that there was an agreement in principle while others reported that Canada was not ready to sign on. However, the end result is an impressive draft agreement in principle on most of the existing terms with some key exceptions and a few remaining issues from Canada’s perspective. To its credit, Japan has been leading the effort to move forward with the CPTPP in hopes of the United States rejoining the agreement at some point in the future.
On 11 November 2017, In the margins of the APEC meetings in Da Nang, Vietnam, the TPP ministers of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, agreed to the following statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership:
The Customs Import Prohibition Order 2017 (CIPO 2017) and the Customs Prohibition Export Order 2017 (CEPO 2017) came into effect 1 October 2017. These Orders have replaced their 2014 equivalents, which lapsed 30 September 2017.
On 14 July 2017, the N.Z. Customs Service (NZCS) reported that the Customs and Excise Bill is currently awaiting its Second Reading in Parliament, and NZCS is working on draft regulations for implementation of the Bill relating to duty drawbacks (refunds where duty-paid goods are later exported). NZCS is seeking public feedback by 19 July. The NZCS preferred approach is outlined below:
On 14 June 2017, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced that Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Keith Pitt, signed the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus) at the ceremony in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
The Food Regulations 2015 requires persons wishing to import food for sale in New Zealand, to meet the requirements of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for food importing and safety. These requirements include registering with MPI as a food importer (or using a registered importer), safely sourcing and handling food before export, and meeting specific requirements for foods identified as presenting a higher risk to consumers.
The annual adjustment to the levy rates on alcoholic beverages will take place on 1 July 2017. The new rates are contained in the New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Health Promotion Agency Levy) Order 2017. The HPA is paid in addition to any duties, taxes and other fees.
The New Zealand Customs Service has announced that the annual adjustment to the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on alcoholic beverages will take place on 1 July 2017. The annual adjustment is based on movements in the Consumer Price Index over the 12-month period prior to 31 March 2017.
In Hanoi, Vietnam, Trade Ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum issued an actions statement reflecting the outcomes of their 23rd Meeting. Listed below are the subjects covered.