ChAFTA Comes Into Effect 20th December 2015
The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) will officially come into effect from 20th December 2015 onwards. This has followed an exchange of diplomatic notes between the two countries, which was the last step in the formalisation process.
Initially, more than 86% of Australia’s goods exported to China will enter duty free, rising to 96% when ChAFTA is fully implemented.
The following products will be reduced from 1st January 2016 and will take several years to become duty free:
- garments
- bed linen
- clothing
- towels
- mats
- curtains
- footwear
- vehicle components
- certain steel and aluminium sheets
Certificates of Origin related to goods affected by ChAFTA must be issued by an authorised body.
The Chinese authorised bodies are:
- General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ)
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
The Australian authorised bodies are:
- Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
- Australian Industry Group (AiG)
- Australian Grape and Wine Authority (unique to ChAFTA; for wine and wine products only)
Please note that Certificates of Origin will not be issued prior to the commencement date of CHAFTA but may be issued retrospectively.
For further information about ChAFTA and how it may affect you and your business, please click here.
