The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) is a development-centred free trade agreement between the Forum Island Countries and Australia and New Zealand. The Agreement will enter into force for Vanuatu on 11 October 2022. This leaves only Nauru yet to be formalised, for which PACER Plus will enter into force sixty days after notifying the depository that they have completed their internal requirements.
PACER Plus entered into force for Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga on 13 December 2020 and for Tuvalu on 03 April 2022.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has today issued Australian Customs Notice No. 2022/43: “Customs (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus–Entry into Force for Vanuatu) Notice 2022.”
Under subsection 153ZKL(6) of the Customs Act 1901, the Minister for Home Affairs is required to announce by notifiable instrument the day on which the Agreement enters into force for each Party to the Agreement (other than Australia).
The following Preference Origin Country code – for use from 11 October 2022 – is to be included with the table for other PACER Plus countries (previously shown in ACN 2020/49):
Preference Origin Country: Vanuatu – Code Description: VU
A declaration of origin is the basis for claiming preferential rates of customs duty under PACER Plus. A declaration of origin can be completed by an exporter or producer, or their authorised representative.
In associated news, Australia, New Zealand and their ASEAN partners have progressed negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Negotiations for the upgrade are focused on services, rules of origin, customs procedures, e-commerce, competition, government procurement, trade and sustainable development and ensuring Micro-Small-and-Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are fully able to benefit from the agreement.
For information about all your trade and shipping requirements – from the Pacific region or any other place in the world – talk to us here at Colless Young. As licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we professionally handle your import and export consignments, by both sea and airfreight. We provide a complete range of services including cargo tracking and clearance through customs & quarantine. We are based in Brisbane and offer logistics facilities through all Australian ports and airports.
