Membership Question | Import duties after the EU-New Zealand trade agreement

On 1 May 2024, a new trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand came into effect. The deal is the most modern trade deal the EU has ever signed. As a result of this agreement, our member service continues to receive questions about import duties. One of them says:

Our client in New Zealand asks us to add a ‘Statement of Origin’ to our invoice so that the company does not have to pay import duties on customs clearance. Is this correct and if so, what requirements does this statement have to meet?

Member Service Answer

If you export goods to countries outside the European Union (EU), the importer usually pays import duties. In some countries, customers pay low or no import duties on goods produced in the EU. A customer in the destination country can benefit from a EUR.1 certificate or an invoice declaration of priority source.

This will apply to many countries with which the EU has a trade agreement and to exports to New Zealand from 1 May 2024. You can use an invoice declaration source certificate for goods with an invoice value of up to 6,000 euros, but for goods with a higher invoice value. For the latter, in New Zealand you need to apply for REX registration from Dutch customs. Once customs clearance is granted, you can use invoice declaration. Put this together with your REX registration number on a commercial document (for example an invoice or packing list) and declare that the products are of EU origin. A ‘State on Origin’ means a declaration of origin in English.

Which do you use in which situation?

A chamber of commerce is there to find out which tariff declarations apply to a country Simple overview drawn up. It also contains sample text that you will use when exporting to New Zealand.