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New Zealand–Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement

The New Zealand–Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement came into force on 1 July 2005.


The Thailand CEP is designed to improve the business environment between New Zealand and Thailand, reduce the cost of doing business, and promote cooperation between Customs administrations.

Thailand is also a Party to the AANZFTA Agreement. Traders should consider which agreement is most suitable to their imported/exported products.

For information on the Rules of Origin and using this agreement, see Fact Sheet 30 – Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (PDF 262 KB). Further information on the Thailand CEP is also available on the MFAT website.

Claiming Preference in New Zealand

An NZ importer may make a claim for preferential tariff treatment on the basis of a certificate of origin, a declaration of origin, or other evidence sufficient to prove that the goods satisfy the relevant rules of origin provisions. If requested by Customs, an importer claiming preference must be able to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim.

Rules of Origin Provisions

Customs and Excise Act 1996 (NZ Legislation).

Product Specific Rules

Claiming Preference in Thailand

Unlike AANZFTA, goods exported from NZ to Thailand under the Thailand CEP do not require a certificate of origin from an NZ certification body. A claim that goods are eligible for preferential tariff treatment must be supported by an exporter or producer declaration (further information is set out in Fact Sheet 30 (PDF 262 KB).