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Approved Exporters Scheme (self-declaration of origin)

Export Business

Applications to open 1 June 2025.

The approved exporter self-declaration scheme is a trade facilitation initiative under the following Free Trade Agreements (FTAs):

  • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
  • New Zealand - China Free Trade Agreement (NZ-China FTA)
  • Second Protocol to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA)
  • New Zealand – United Arab Emirates Closer Economic Partnership (NZ-UAE CEP).

Authorised self-declaration enables approved exporters to self-declare the New Zealand origin of their goods to claim preferential tariff treatment under the selected FTAs.

This saves businesses time and money, eliminating the need to go to an issuing body to obtain a Certificate of Origin.

Key points

  • Exporters from any industry, and of any size, will be able to apply approved by Customs to self-declare the origin of their goods into specific FTAs.
  • These exporters will have met high trust standards and have an excellent compliance record.
  • Being an approved exporter simplifies the export process and decreases compliance costs.
  • Customs will approve or decline the exporter’s application based on their compliance record. The exporter then needs to sign Terms and Conditions to become an approved exporter.
  • Once approved exporter status is granted, the exporter can self-declare the origin of the goods they have applied for.
  • Customs may withdraw an approval if the exporter has been found to be in breach of their Terms and Conditions.
  • Exporters need to apply to Customs.

Further information is below. The application form will be made available on 1 June 2025.

How this initiative works

There are three main steps to this initiative.

Step 1: Understand your eligibility

To apply to become an approved exporter, you must:

  • know and understand the Rules of Origin in the Free Trade Agreement you are applying under
  • have a reasonable amount of experience in export procedures
  • have no record of any Rules of Origin fraud
  • show good compliance as measured by risk management rules
  • have sound bookkeeping and record-keeping systems
  • be prepared for you, or your manufacturer, to undergo checks and verifications (including retroactive ones) should the need arise.

More information is available on this page under the heading Rules of Origin and specific requirements for approved exporters.

Step 2 – Apply to be an Approved Exporter

  • Download the application form, fill it out, and email it to our SES team (ses@customs.govt.nz) for processing.
    • Note: the application form will be made available on 1 June 2025.
  • If Customs is satisfied that you meet the requirements for becoming an approved exporter, we will send you a contract outlining Terms and Conditions that you must adhere to as an approved exporter under the specific FTA.
  • Sign the Terms and Conditions and return the document to us.
  • Upon successful registration as an approved exporter, we will send your details to our FTA partners. They will know you have been approved by New Zealand Customs to self-declare the origin of your goods.

Step 3 – Start your journey as an Approved Exporter

  • You may now proceed to self-declare the origin of your goods to claim preference under the FTA you have been approved for.
  • Note: you may only self-declare the origin of the goods that you have been authorised to declare for. If you want to amend or expand the goods you want to self-declare for, contact us.
  • We will conduct audits to ensure that you continue to meet the standards required to be an approved exporter.

Rules of Origin and specific requirements for approved exporters

Self-declaration available on June 2025

RCEP

Declarations of origin by approved exporters must be made in accordance with Article 3.18: (Declaration of Origin). This states that a Declaration of Origin shall:

  • be completed in accordance with Annex 3B (Minimum Information Requirements) (PDF, 279 KB)
  • be in the English language
  • bear the name and signature of the person making the declaration
  • bear the date on which the Declaration of Origin was completed.

NZ-China FTA

Self-declaration available at a later date

AANZFTA (Second Protocol)

Declarations of origin by approved exporters must be made in accordance with Rule 1 (Proof of Origin, Rule 14 (Declarations of Origin). This includes requirements for the Declaration of Origin, including:

  • be completed in accordance with Appendix 3A.2 (Minimum Data Requirements – Declaration of Origin)
  • be in the English language
  • bear the name and signature of the person making the declaration
  • bear the date on which the Declaration of Origin was completed.

Note: AANZFTA has a transitional period, and not all Parties will accept a declaration of origin at the same time. More information on this is in the AANZFTA text. If you have any questions, you can contact us or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

UAE-NZ CEP

Declarations of origin by approved exporters must be: