1. Home
  2. Business
  3. Export
  4. Approved Exporters Scheme (self-declaration of origin)

Approved Exporters Scheme (self-declaration of origin)

Export Business

Applications 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)

This will also be available under the New Zealand – United Arab Emirates Closer Economic Partnership (NZ-UAE CEP) once it enters into force.

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. Applications open 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.
  • 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

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

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 - currently not in force, self-declaration not yet available

Declarations of origin by approved exporters must be:

Frequently asked questions

What is the drive behind this initiative?

It will provide trusted exporters an additional option for providing proof of origin, which can save time and money by removing the need to go to an issuing body to obtain a Certificate of Origin. It is likely that this will be an option in future FTAs or upgrades where self-declaration of origin by any exporter/producer isn’t an option, allowing for more flexibility beyond just a certificate of origin.

How can we be certain that importing authorities will accept the self-declaration?

When New Zealand Customs approves an exporter, we send the relevant details (for example, company name, approval number, products the company is approved to self-declare origin of) to the Parties of the agreement. The importing Party will check your declaration against the details we have sent them, to ensure you are approved to self-declare. We note that some countries have already been using this initiative for over a year now, so we are confident on the system.

Is the application for all the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), or do we have to apply individually?

In the application form, you will need to tick which FTAs you want to be approved for. However, you will need to sign individual terms and conditions per FTA though, as these vary according to the requirements of the agreement.

Is this going to be replacing Certificates of Origin (COO)?

The aim of the initiative is to provide another option for exporters in getting proof of origin. Exporters will still be able to get a COO if they wish to, if it is provided for in the specific agreement they are claiming preference under. Under China, RCEP, AANZFTA and UAE, there are no plans on removing the option for a COO.

Are there any costs associated with this?

Customs charges no fees in relation to this scheme. However, if exporters are declaring the origin of goods being exported to China, they will need to consider costs in setting up a system to connect to JEVS.

Is it the company or the applicant that becomes approved? If the applicant moves jobs, can the company continue declaring their origin?

While it is the company that becomes approved, only designated people that meet the terms and conditions can declare the origin of the goods. Customs needs to be informed if the designated person(s) is no longer working for the company, as we will need to update our details accordingly - including informing our trading partners of the new designated person. Email Customs’ Secure Exports Team at ses@customs.govt.nz.

Is there a limit to how many people can be designated to self-certify origin per company?   

There is no limit to the number of people who can be registered per company – as long as each person signs the terms and conditions of the agreement and has the knowledge required to declare the origin of their goods. We currently only have space for one signature in the terms and conditions template. Please let us know during the application phase if you require more.

Is there a training requirement for the person(s) being designated to self-certify origin for their company?

There is no training requirement for the person being accredited, but there are expectations around their knowledge and compliance. Any person being designated must just meet the requirements set out in the terms and conditions, including being able to provide information necessary to verify their claim for preferential treatment.

Are there existing templates for making the declaration?

You must refer to the requirements of each FTA, including the minimum information requirements, in order to make the declaration.

China, for example, has a template to be used. More information is available at MFAT: Chapters and annexes under FTA upgrade, under "Necessary Elements in a Declaration of Origin by an Approved Exporter".

RCEP does not have a template to be used.

Refer to the bottom of the page for more information on this.

What level of detail and documentation does this require for exporting?

There should be no difference in the level of detail and documentation required to verify origin. The only difference is the proof of origin document, which will be a self-declaration rather than a certificate of origin. The declaration must meet the requirements of the FTA (for example, minimum information requirement).

How can we connect to JEVS?

You currently need to have your own IT system connecting to JEVS. This is only needed when exporting to China.