What are the main and immediate benefits that the CPTPP brings to Vietnam exporters? The entry into force of the CPTPP brings with it preferential import tariff rates applicable to CPTPP originating goods. Import tariffs can amount to a substantial increase on the end cost of goods. For businesses operating in a competitive market preferential tariff rates may afford them a comparative advantage by reducing costs. Under the CPTPP, import tariff rate reductions occur automatically after the Agreement has entered into force in a member country's territory. Import tariff rate reductions will follow the terms of pre-negotiated schedules included in the Annex of the original TPP Agreement. There are two main conditions for access to CPTPP preferential tariff rates abroad: (1) goods must 'originate' in one or more CPTPP member countries, and (2) goods must be imported into another CPTPP member's territory.
(1) Originating goods
To be an 'originating good' a good must be grown, raised, caught, hunted, mined or extracted within a CPTPP member country.1 A product that is made from materials originating in a CPTPP territory would likewise be originating, as would a product that has undergone substantial manufacturing within CPTPP members' territories. 2 The actual manufacturing inputs required to qualify a good as CPTPP originating are product specific. Additionally, the "accumulation principle" allows goods produced in a process that involves more than one CPTPP member to qualify as well. Manufacturers assessing the origin of their goods are encouraged to contact Baker McKenzie for a product specific origin analysis. After a Vietnam exporter has established their good as originating they can apply to their respective Foreign Trade Management Office to certify the origin of the good under the CPTPP (the CPTPP origin certification form is available here).
(2) Member countries
Only member countries who have legally adopted the CPTPP and formally notified other members of their adoption may enjoy preferential tariff rates. This includes the first 6 members to ratify the CPTPP (Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore), and Vietnam, the seventh member to ratify. Annual tariff rate reductions occur on 1 January of each calendar year following entry into force. 3 The first 6 members and Vietnam have completed two rounds of tariff cuts on CPTPP originating goods, with round three cuts set to occur on 1 January 2020.4
Importantly, not all signatories have ratified the CPTPP, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia and Peru have yet to complete legal procedures to bring the Agreement into effect. Additional market opportunities will be realized as the remaining 4 CPTPP signatories ratify the Agreement.
Exporter gains
Since 14 January 2019, Vietnam originating goods exported to other CPTPP members have been eligible for preferential tariff rates in the 6 other CPTPP ratified countries.5 Similar to Vietnam's tariff rate schedule discussed above, each of the other CPTPP member countries have their own respective tariff rate elimination schedule. Many import tariffs are immediately eliminated under the CPTPP. The below table summarizes each member country's time frame for tariff elimination, the current year of tariff rate treatment and a summary of goods which have a multi-year tariff phase out schedule, rather than outright tariff elimination.
For importers from all countries except Singapore, this means that they will need to check the specific duty rate for a specific time period to determine the applicable CPTPP duty rate, noting the possibility that even more favorable import tariffs may be available under other trade agreements, be they current or future agreements.
CPTPP exporters are encouraged to continue monitoring the progress of CPTPP ratification, since preferential tariff rates will be immediately available as the agreement enters into force for each of the remaining 4 signatories.
