Implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

On October 25, 2018 Bill C-79, an An Act to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) between Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam received royal assent.

Further to this on December 05, 2018, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) gave notice that the CPTPP will be coming into force on December 30, 2018 in Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore. The agreement will additionally come into force for Vietnam on January 14, 2018.

Additional information and notices will be published once CPTPP is ratified and implementation dates are confirmed among the other remaining member countries of Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, and Peru,.

The agreement will essentially eliminate customs duties on all qualifying imports into Canada from countries where CPTPP is in force, with the exception of a few agricultural goods.  Most duties will be eliminated either immediately upon implementation of the agreement, or through a tariff phase-out.

A new tariff treatment, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Tariff (CPTPT) will be in effect on December 30, 2018.  Tariff Treatment Code 33 must be indicated on the B3 Accounting Document to account for goods entitled to CPTPT.

Eligibility to claim the preferential tariff treatment is determined in accordance with the rules of origin set out in Annex 3-D of Chapter 3 of the CPTPP.

Proof of origin requirements set out in Annex 3-B of Chapter 3 consist of a set of data elements that may be placed on any document, and may be completed by the importer, exporter or producer of CPTPP eligible goods.  Importers must have the certification of origin in their possession to claim CPTPT.

Additional information concerning the CPTPP certification of origin is contained in Article 3.20 of Chapter 3

Information regarding the CPTPP and the text of the agreement can be found on the Global Affairs Canada website.

For the full details including information on transshipment, refunds and links to additional information, see Customs Notice 18-22.

Please contact your Livingston account representative should you have any questions.