Microsoft Word - Trade Notice No. 30

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin 2026 Notified, 40 to 45% of Local Qualifying Value Add Required

Ø Customs Tariff (Determination of Origin of Goods under the Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand) Rules, 2026

· Official Enactment: The Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) in India issued Notification No. 82/2026-Customs (N.T.) on October 12, 2026, under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

· Effective Date: Known as the Customs Tariff (Determination of Origin of Goods under the Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand) Rules, 2026, they officially come into force on October 20, 2026.

· Underlying Agreement: The rules govern trade under the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between India and New Zealand on April 27, 2026.

· Competent Authorities: The designated authority driving the rules is the Department of Commerce for India and the New Zealand Customs Service for New Zealand.

· Origin Criteria: Goods qualify for preferential tariffs if they are wholly obtained/produced in the territory of one or both parties (e.g., live animals, plants, minerals) or if they meet specific Product Specific Rules (PSR) (like tariff classification changes or value content thresholds).

· Value Calculation Formulas: Offers two mathematical paths to determine Qualifying Value Content (QVC): a Build-Down Formula (subtracting non-originating materials from the FOB value) and a Build-Up Formula (based directly on the value of originating materials).

· Insufficient Operations: Specifies a clear list of minimal operations (e.g., simple packaging, simple mixing, dilution, slaughtering, or preservation for transport) that cannot confer originating status on a product on their own.

· Proof of Origin Guidelines: Importers must present a Certificate of Origin (issued by an authorized body) or an Origin Declaration (completed by an approved exporter or status holder) to claim tariff benefits. Proofs are valid for 12 months.

· Verification and Compliance: Provides the customs administration of the importing party the right to conduct a multi-layered verification process, including written information requests and physical verification visits to production facilities.

· Record Retention: Mandates exporters, producers, and importers to retain all commercial accounting and customs documents proving origin for at least 5 years.

Industry-Specific Rules Extracted from the Annexure

1. Seafood & Aquatic Invertebrates (Chapter 3)

· General Rule: Most fish and crustaceans must be Wholly Obtained (WO).

· Specific Exceptions (Crustaceans): Items like Rock Lobster, Crabs, Shrimps, Prawns, and Sea Cucumbers (HS 0306.91 to 0308.90) carry a QVC 35% requirement. This allows processed or packaged local seafood varieties to qualify even if certain elements do not meet strict WO terms.

· Flours & Pellets (HS 0309.90): Must meet a CTH rule (four-digit change).

2. Agriculture, Fruits, Vegetables & Spices (Chapters 6–14)

· Live Trees, Vegetables, Fruits, & Cereals: Heavily restricted to WO. They must be grown and harvested entirely within the member nations.

· Processed Veggie Mixtures (HS 0710.90): Requires a CTH classification shift.

· Spices (HS 0910.91 / 0910.99): Allows a choice between WO OR a QVC 40% threshold.

3. Cocoa & Chocolate Preparations (Chapter 18)

· Raw Materials (HS 1801–1802): Cocoa beans and waste must be WO.

· Processed Cocoa (HS 1803–1805): Cocoa paste, butter, and powder require CTH + QVC 40%, meaning they need both a four-digit heading change and 40% regional value addition.

· Chocolates (Ex 1806): Requires CTH (except heading 1805) OR CTH + QVC 40%.

4. Chemicals, Plastics & Rubber (Chapters 28–40)

· Chemicals & Fertilizers (Chapters 28–32, 34–38): Typically governed by a combined CTSH + QVC 45% rule.

· Plastics (Ex Chapter 39): Generally governed by a standard CTH shift. Specific items like plates, sheets, and tubes (HS 3916–3926) require a CTSH shift.

5. Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 50–63)

· Raw Silk, Cotton, and Wool Waste: Set to WO.

· Woven Fabrics & Apparel (Chapters 50–63): Governed uniformly by CTH + QVC 40%. Note: Under Rule 9 (De Minimis), textile products are excluded from the standard 10% FOB value tolerance and instead must satisfy a strict 10% total weight or value limit on non-originating materials.

6. Precious Metals & Jewellery (Chapter 71)

· Unworked Pearls & Diamonds: Must be WO.

· Worked Gemstones (HS 7103.91): Requires CTSH + QVC 20%.

· Gold/Platinum Plain Jewellery (HS 7113.19): Requires CTSH + QVC 3.5%.

· Jewellery Studded with Diamonds (HS 7113.19): Requires CTSH + QVC 7%.

7. Iron, Steel & Base Metals (Chapters 72–76)

· Primary Iron & Steel (Ex Chapter 72): Must satisfy the "Melt and Pour" rule. The product must be melted and poured into its first solid shape in an iron/steel furnace within India or New Zealand.

· Aluminium Articles (Ex Chapter 76): Most raw or semi-manufactured aluminium items (bars, wire, plates, tubes) require a CTSH + QVC 45% benchmark.

[Notification No. 82/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 12 October, 2026]

1. Short title and commencement

2. Definitions

3. Originating Goods

4. Wholly Obtained or Produced Goods

5. Bilateral Cumulation

6. Calculation of Qualifying Value Content

7. Value of Materials Used in the Qualifying Value Content

8. Minimal Operations

9. De Minimis

10. Treatment of Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale

11. Treatment of Packing Materials and Containers for Transportation and Shipment

12. Accessories, Spare Parts and Tools

13. Indirect Materials

14. Fungible Goods

15. Consignment

16. Proof of Origin

17. Application for Certificate of Origin

18. Non-Party Invoicing

19. Authorities

20. Status Holder

21. Approved Exporter

22. Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment

23. Record Keeping Requirements

24. Waiver of Proof of Origin

25. Post Importation Claim for Preferential Tariff Treatment

26. Verification of Origin and Procedures

27. Denial of Preferential Tariff Treatment

28. Temporary Suspension of Preferential Treatment

29. Penalties

30. Goods in Transport or Storage

31. Minor Discrepancies or Errors

32. Confidentiality

33. Technical Committee on Rules of Origin

34. Exchange of Electronic Data on Origin

v Annexure-A: (Product Specific Rules of Origin)

v Section A - Headnotes to the Annexure

v Section B - Product Specific Rules

v Annexure-B: (Certificate of Origin Template)

v Annexure-C: (Origin Declaration Template)

G.S.R. (E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely: -

1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These rules may be called the Customs Tariff (Determination of Origin of Goods under the Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand) Rules, 2026.

(2) They shall come into force on the 20^th October, 2026.

2. Definitions. – (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a) “Agreement” means the Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand signed on the 27^th April, 2026;

(b) “Annexure” means the annexures appended to these rules;

(c) “aquaculture” including, but not limited to mariculture, means the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans, other aquatic invertebrates and aquatic plants from seed stock, including seed stock imported from non-parties, such as eggs, fry, fingerlings, or larvae, by intervention in the rearing or growth processes to enhance production such as regular stocking, feeding, or protection from predators;

(d) “CIF value” or “Cost, Insurance and Freight value” means the price actually paid or payable to the exporter for a good when the good is loaded out of the carrier, at the port of importation, including the cost of the good, insurance, and freight necessary to deliver the good to the named port of destination;

(e) “competent authority” means:

(i) for India, the Department of Commerce or its successors; and

(ii) for New Zealand, New Zealand Customs Service or its successors;

(f) “customs administration” means:

(i) for India, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs or its successors; and

(ii) for New Zealand, the New Zealand Customs Service or its successors;

(g) “FOB value” or “Free-On-Board value” means the price actually paid or payable to the exporter for a good when it is loaded onto the carrier at the named port of exportation, including the cost of the good and all costs necessary to bring the good onto the carrier;

(h) “fungible goods” means goods that are interchangeable for commercial purposes and whose properties are essentially identical;

(i) “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” means those principles recognised by consensus or with substantial authoritative support in the territory of a Party with respect to the recording of revenues, expenses, costs, assets and liabilities; the disclosure of information; and the preparation of financial statements. These principles may encompass broad guidelines for general application, as well as detailed standards, practices and procedures;

(j) “indirect materials” means a material used in the production, testing or inspection of a good but not physically incorporated into the good; or a material used in the maintenance of buildings or the operation of equipment, associated with the production of a good, including:

(i) fuel, energy, catalysts and solvents;

(ii) equipment, instruments, devices and supplies used to test or inspect the good;

(iii) gloves, glasses, footwear, clothing, safety equipment and supplies;

(iv) tools, dies and moulds;

(v) spare parts and materials used in the maintenance of equipment and buildings;

(vi) lubricants, greases, compounding materials and other materials used in production or used to operate equipment and buildings; and

(vii)any other material that is not incorporated into the good but the use of which in the production of the good can reasonably be demonstrated to be a part of that production;

(k) “issuing authority” means the authority designated by each Party for issuance of Certificates of Origin, as notified from time to time;

(l) “material” means a good that is consumed in the production, physically incorporated or used in the production of another good;

(m) “non-originating material” means a material that does not qualify as originating in accordance with these rules, which includes a good or material of undetermined origin;

(n) “originating good” or “originating material” means a good or material that qualifies as originating in accordance with these rules;

(o) “packing materials and containers for transportation and shipment” means goods used to protect another good during its transportation, but does not include the packaging materials or containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale;

(p) “producer” means a person who engages in the production of a good;

(q) “production” means operations including growing, cultivating, raising, mining, harvesting, fishing, trapping, hunting, capturing, collecting, breeding, extracting, aquaculture, gathering, manufacturing, processing or assembling a good;

(r) “Party” means India or New Zealand and jointly as the Parties;

(s) “preferential tariff treatment” means the customs duty rate applicable to an originating good, pursuant to each Party’s respective Schedule of Tariff Commitments set out in Annex 2A (Schedule of Tariff Commitments);

(t) “QVC” is the qualifying value content of a good, expressed as a percentage;

(u) “value of non-originating materials” is the value of non-originating materials, including materials of undetermined origin, used in the production of the good; and

(v) “value of originating materials” is the value of originating materials used in the production of the good in the territory of one or both Parties.

(2) For the purpose of these rules, any cost or value shall be recorded and maintained in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles applicable in the territory of the Party in which the good is produced.

3. Originating Goods.- Except as otherwise provided in these rules, a good shall be regarded as originating if it is --

(a) wholly obtained or produced in the territory of one or both of the Parties, as provided for in rule 4; or

(b) satisfies all applicable requirements of the Product Specific Rules under Annexure A; and

meets all other requirements of these rules.

4. Wholly Obtained or Produced Goods.- For the purposes of clause (a) of rule 3, the following goods shall be considered to be wholly obtained or produced in the territory of one or both of the Parties, if they are --

(a) plant and plant goods, including fruit, flowers, vegetables, trees, seaweed, fungi, algae and live plants grown and harvested, picked, or gathered there;

(b) live animals born and raised there;

(d) goods obtained by hunting, trapping, fishing, aquaculture, gathering, or capturing there;

(e) minerals and other naturally occurring substances, not included in clauses (a) to (d), extracted or taken from the soil or waters, seabed or subsoil beneath the seabed there;

(f) fish, shellfish, and other marine life extracted or taken from the sea, seabed or subsoil beyond the outer limits of the territories of each Party and, in accordance with international law, outside the territorial sea of non-Parties by vessels that are registered, listed or recorded with a Party and entitled to fly the flag of that Party;

(g) goods produced on board a factory ship registered, listed or recorded with a Party and entitled to fly the flag of that Party from the goods referred to in clause (f);

(h) goods other than fish, shellfish and other marine life extracted or taken from the sea-bed or subsoil beneath the sea-bed outside the territorial sea of a Party, provided that the Party has rights to exploit such sea-bed or subsoil beneath the sea-bed in accordance with relevant international law;

(i) waste and scrap, excluding precious metals, derived from production or consumption there, provided that such goods are fit only for the recovery of raw materials; and

(j) goods produced in the territory of one or both Parties solely from goods referred to in clauses (a) to (i) or from their derivatives at any stage of production.

5. Bilateral Cumulation.- Each Party shall provide that an originating good or material in the territory of one Party, under rule 3 and all the other applicable requirements of these rules, that is incorporated in the production of a good in the territory of the other Party is considered to originate in the territory of the other Party.

6. Calculation of Qualifying Value Content.- Where a qualifying value content requirement is specified in these rules and its Annexures, to determine whether a good is originating, the qualifying value content shall be calculated using one of the following methods:

(a) Build-Down Formula based on the value of non-originating materials:

QVC = FOB Value − Value of non originating materials x 100

FOB Value

(b) Build-up Formula based on the value of originating materials:

QVC = Value of originating materials x 100

FOB Value

7. Value of Materials Used in the Qualifying Value Content.- (1) All values for the purposes of calculating qualifying value content shall be determined in accordance with the Customs Valuation Agreement.

(2) All costs shall be recorded and maintained in conformity with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles applicable in the territory of a Party where the good is produced.

(3) If a non-originating material is used in the production of a good, the following may be added to the value of originating materials in determining whether the good meets the QVC requirement:

(a) the value of production of non-originating materials undertaken in the territory of one or both Parties; and

(b) the value of originating materials used in the production of the non- originating material in the territory of one or both Parties by one or more producers.

(4) The value of the materials used in production shall be:

(a) for imported materials, the CIF value;

(b) for materials obtained within the territory of a Party:

(i) the price paid or payable by the producer in the Party where the producer is located;

(ii) the value as determined for an imported material in clause (a); or

(iii) the earliest ascertainable price paid or payable in the territory of the Party; and

(c) for materials that are self-produced, all the costs incurred in the production of the material, which includes general expenses that can be reasonably allocated to the good.

(5) For originating materials, the following expenses may be added to the value of the material, if not included under sub-rule (4):

(a) the costs of freight, insurance, packing, and other transport-related costs incurred in transporting the good to the location of the producer of the good;

(b) duties, taxes, and customs brokerage fees on the material, paid in the territory of a Party, other than duties that are waived, refunded, refundable, or otherwise recoverable, which includes credit against duty or tax paid or payable; and

(c) the cost of waste and spoilage resulting from the use of the material in the production of the good, less the value of reusable scrap or by-product.

(6) For non-originating materials or materials of undetermined origin, the following expenses may be deducted from the value of the material:

(a) the costs of freight, insurance, packing, and other transport-related costs incurred in transporting the material within the territories of the Parties to the location of the producer of the good;

(c) the cost of waste and spoilage resulting from the use of the material in the production of the good, less the value of reusable scrap or by-product.

(7) Where the costs or expenses listed in sub-rules (4) through (6) are unknown or evidence of the amount of the adjustment is not available, then no adjustment is allowed for those costs.

8. Minimal Operations.- (1) Notwithstanding any provisions of these rules, the following operations when undertaken on non-originating materials to produce a good shall be considered as insufficient working or processing to confer on that good the status of an originating good:

(a) preserving operations to ensure that the good remains in good condition for the purposes of transport or storage;

(b) packaging or presenting goods for transportation or sale;

(c) simple processes, consisting of sifting, screening, sorting, classifying, sharpening, cutting, slitting, grinding, bending, coiling, or uncoiling;

Explanation: For the purposes of this rule, “simple” describes activities which need neither special skills nor machines, apparatus or equipment specially produced or installed for carrying out the activity;

(d) for textiles: attaching accessory articles such as straps, beads, cords, rings and eyelets; ironing or pressing of textiles;

(e) affixing or printing of marks, labels, logos, or other like distinguishing signs on goods or their packaging;

(f) simple dilution with water or another substance that does not materially alter the characteristics of the good;

(g) simple assembly of parts of articles to constitute a complete article or disassembly of products into parts;

(h) slaughtering of animals;

Explanation: For the purposes of this rule, “slaughtering” means the mere killing of animals;

(i) simple painting and polishing operations;

(j) simple peeling, stoning, or shelling;

(k) simple mixing of goods, whether or not of different kinds; or

Explanation: For the purposes of this rule, “simple mixing” describes activities which need neither special skills nor machines, apparatus or equipment specially produced or installed for carrying out the activity;

(l) any combination of two or more operations referred to in clauses (a) to (k).

(2) All operations carried out in a Party on a given good shall be considered together when determining whether the working or processing undergone by that good is to be regarded as insufficient within the meaning of sub-rule (1).

9. De Minimis.- (1) A good, except for those falling within Chapters 50 through 63 of the Harmonised System, that does not satisfy a change in tariff classification requirement pursuant to Annexure-A shall nonetheless be an originating good if the value of non- originating materials used in the production of the good that does not satisfy the change in tariff classification requirement does not exceed 10 per cent of the FOB value of the good as defined under rule 2 and the good meets all of the other applicable requirements in these rules.

(2) A good classified in Chapters 50 through 63 of the HS that does not qualify as originating good because certain non-originating materials used in the production of the good do not fulfil the requirements set out in Annexure-A, shall nonetheless be an originating good if the total weight or value of all such material does not exceed 10 per cent of the total weight or value of that good.

(3) If a good described in sub-rule (1) or (2) is also subject to a qualifying value content requirement, the value of those non-originating materials shall be included in the value of non-originating materials for the applicable qualifying value content requirement.

(4) A good classified as Wholly Obtained (WO) under rule 4 or Annexure-A that does not qualify as an originating good, because certain non-originating materials of other chapters of the Harmonised System are used in the production of that good, shall nonetheless be an originating good if the total weight or value of all such non-originating material does not exceed 1 per cent of the total weight or value of that good.

10. Treatment of Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale.- (1) Packaging materials and containers in which a good is packaged for retail sale, if classified with the good, shall be disregarded in determining whether the non-originating materials used in the production of the good have satisfied the applicable process or change in tariff classification requirement set out in Annexure-A, or whether the good is wholly obtained or produced.

(2) If the good referred to in sub-rule (1) is subject to the qualifying value content requirement, the value of such packaging materials and containers shall be taken into account as value of the originating or non-originating materials, as the case may be, in calculating the qualifying value content of the good.

11. Treatment of Packing Materials and Containers for Transportation and Shipment.- Packing materials and containers for transportation and shipment of a good shall not be taken into account in determining whether the good is originating.

12. Accessories, Spare Parts and Tools.- (1) The origin of the accessories, spare parts or tools presented with a good:

(a) shall be disregarded if the good is subject to a change in tariff classification requirement or production process requirements for origin specified in Annexure-A, and

(b) shall be taken into account as originating or non-originating materials, as the case may be, in calculating the qualifying value content of the good, if the good is subject to a qualifying value content requirement.

(2) Sub-rule (1) shall only apply where:

(a) the accessories, spare parts, tools and instructional or other information materials presented with the good are not invoiced separately from the originating good; and

(b) the quantities and value of the accessories, spare parts, tools and instructional or other information materials presented with the good are customary for that good.

13. Indirect Materials.- An indirect material shall be considered as neither originating nor non-originating when the qualifying value addition is calculated in accordance with rule 6.

14. Fungible Goods.- (1) Fungible goods shall be treated as originating based on the:

(a) physical separation of the good; or

(b) use of any inventory management method recognised in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the Party where the production is performed, if originating and non-originating fungible goods are comingled, provided that the inventory management method selected is used throughout the fiscal year of the person that selected the inventory management method.

(2) An inventory management system under clause (a) of sub-rule (1) must ensure that no more goods or materials receive originating status than would have been the case if the fungible goods had been physically segregated.

15. Consignment.- (1) A good shall retain its originating status as determined under rule 3 if either of the following conditions have been met:

(a) the good has been transported directly from the exporting Party to the importing Party; or

(b) the good has been transported through one or more non-Parties provided that the good has not undergone any subsequent production or other operation outside the territories of the Parties other than unloading, reloading, storing, repacking, relabelling in accordance with the laws and regulations of the importing Party, splitting up of loads, consolidation of loads or any other operation necessary to preserve it in good condition or to transport the good to the territory of a Party and the good has remained under customs control in the non-Parties.

(2) Compliance with clause (b) of sub-rule (1) shall be evidenced by presenting the customs administration of the importing Party either with customs documents of the non- Parties, or with any other appropriate documentation on request of the customs administration of the importing Party.

(3) Appropriate documentation referred to in sub-rule (2) may include commercial shipping or freight documents such as airway bills, bills of lading, multimodal or combined transport documents, a non-manipulation certificate, or other relevant supporting documents as may be requested by the customs administration of the importing Party.

16. Proof of Origin.- (1) Each Party shall provide that a claim for preferential tariff treatment is based on an applicable Proof of Origin:

(a) a Certificate of Origin issued by an issuing authority; or

(b) an origin declaration completed by:

(i) in India, a status holder;

(ii) in New Zealand, an approved exporter; or

(iii) subject to a review under sub-rule (12), an exporter or producer.

(2) A Certificate of Origin shall bear an authorised signature and official seal of the issuing body or authority, as appropriate. The signature and seal shall be applied manually or electronically.

(3) A Proof of Origin shall:

(a) be in the English language;

(b) bear a unique certification number or unique identification number, as the case may be;

(d) contain information as set out in Annexure-B for Certificate of Origin and as set out in Annexure-C for an origin declaration by an approved exporter or status holder;

(e) remain valid for 12 months from the date on which it is completed in the case of an origin declaration or issued in the case of a Certificate of Origin; and

(f) apply to single importation of one or multiple goods provided that each good qualifies as an originating good separately in its own right.

(4) For New Zealand, a Proof of Origin may apply to importations of multiple shipments of identical goods within any period specified in the Proof of Origin, where such period does not exceed 12 months.

(5) A Proof of Origin may indicate two or more invoices for goods contained in a single importation.

(6) Proof of Origin shall be submitted to the customs administration of the importing Party in accordance with the procedures applicable in that Party.

(7) A Proof of Origin shall be forwarded by the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder to the importer. The customs administration may require the original copy.

(8) Neither erasures nor superimposition shall be allowed on a Proof of Origin. Any alterations shall be made by striking out the erroneous material and making any addition(s) that may be required. In case of Certificates of Origin, such alterations may be approved by a person authorised to issue the certificate. In case of Origin Declaration, a new Proof of Origin may be completed by the approved exporter or status holder.

(9) Each Party shall provide that a Proof of Origin shall be issued or completed prior to or at the time of importation.

(10) Notwithstanding sub-rule (9), under exceptional circumstances, a Proof of Origin may be issued or completed after importation, bearing the words “ISSUED RETROSPECTIVELY” in the Proof of Origin, and include an explanation to this effect. A Proof of Origin can be issued retrospectively no later than 12 months after the date of importation.

(11) In cases of theft, loss or accidental destruction of a Certificate of Origin, the exporter, producer or an authorised representative thereof may, within the term of validity of the original Certificate of Origin, make a written request to the issuing body or authority that issued the original certificate for a certified copy. The certified copy shall bear the words “CERTIFIED TRUE COPY”. The certified copy shall have the same term of validity as the original Certificate of Origin.

(12) The Parties shall commence a review of this rule on completion of five years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement. This review will consider the introduction of a Declaration of Origin by an exporter or producer as a Proof of Origin.

17. Application for Certificate of Origin.- (1) For the issue of a Certificate of Origin, the exporter or producer of the goods shall present, or submit electronically through the approved channel, to the issuing body or authority of the exporting Party the following:

(a) an application, together with appropriate supporting information and documents for proving origin; and

(b) the corresponding commercial invoice and other documents necessary to establish the origin of the good.

(2) Multiple items declared on the same Certificate of Origin shall be allowed, provided that each item must qualify separately in its own right.

(3) Each Party may, in accordance with its domestic procedures and if it deems appropriate, allow its issuing body or authority to apply a risk management system to selectively conduct pre-export verification of the application and supporting information filed by an exporter or producer.

(4) The issuing body or authority, as appropriate, shall carry out proper examination of each application for a Certificate of Origin to ensure that:

(a) the application has been duly completed and signed by the authorised signatory;

(b) the origin of the good is in conformity with the requirements of these rules; and

(c) the information furnished in the Certificate of Origin corresponds to supporting information and documents submitted.

(5) If the exporter or producer has reason(s) to believe that a Certificate of Origin is based on incorrect information that could affect the accuracy or validity of the Certificate of Origin, they shall be obliged to immediately notify the importer, the issuing body or authority and the customs administration of the importing Party in writing of any change affecting the originating status of each good to which the Certificate of Origin applies.

18. Non-Party Invoicing.- An importing Party shall not deny a claim for preferential tariff treatment for the sole reason that an invoice was not issued by the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, or was issued in a third country, provided that the goods meet the requirements of these rules.

19. Authorities.- (1) The Certificate of Origin shall be issued by an issuing body or authority, as appropriate.

(2) Each Party shall within 30 days of the date of entry into force of this Agreement inform the customs administration of the other Party of the issuing body or authority, as appropriate, and contact details of the authorised persons of such body or authority, designated to issue Certificates of Origin under this Agreement.

(3) The Parties shall exchange specimen seals and signatures of the authorised signatories issuing Certificate of Origin.

(4) Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party of any change to its issuing body or authority, as appropriate, and the names, designations, addresses, specimen signatures of authorised persons or seals of such issuing body or authority.

20. Status Holder.- (1) The competent authority in India may, subject to its laws and regulations, grant a status holder certificate to an eligible exporter (hereinafter referred to as “status holder”) established in India to self-certify their Origin Declaration, provided that the status holder accepts full responsibility for declaration of origin of the export product.

(2) The competent authority in India shall after a due process grant status holder certificate to an exporter established in India.

(3) The competent authority in India shall maintain a system to monitor the proper use of status holder certificate. The status holder certificate may be withdrawn if the status holder no longer fulfils the requirements or makes improper use of their status holder certificate.

(4) The competent authority in India shall notify the competent authority in New Zealand of their status holders, their certificate numbers, and any modifications to the list of status holders.

21. Approved Exporter.- (1) The competent authority in New Zealand may, subject to its laws and regulations, authorise an eligible exporter (hereinafter referred to as “approved exporter”) established in New Zealand to self-certify their Origin Declaration, provided that the approved exporter accepts full responsibility for declaration of origin of the export product.

(2) The competent authority in New Zealand, after due process, shall grant an authorisation number to an approved exporter operating in New Zealand. The authorisation number must be unique for every approved exporter.

(3) The competent authority in New Zealand shall maintain a system to monitor the proper use of an authorisation. The authorisation may be withdrawn if the approved exporter no longer fulfils the requirements or makes improper use of the authorisation.

(4) The competent authority in New Zealand shall notify the competent authority in India of their approved exporters, their authorisation numbers, and any modifications to the list of approved exporters.

22. Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment.- (1) Except as otherwise provided in rule 27, each Party shall grant preferential tariff treatment in accordance with these rules to an originating good on the basis of a Proof of Origin.

(2) Unless otherwise provided in these rules, for the purposes of claiming preferential tariff treatment, an importing Party shall provide that an importer:

(a) make a declaration that the good qualifies as an originating good;

(b) have a valid Proof of Origin in its possession at the time the declaration referred to in clause (a) is made and provide the same if requested by the importing customs administration; and

(3) An importing Party may require that an importer who claims preferential tariff treatment shall provide documents and other information to support the claim.

(4) If a claim for preferential tariff treatment is made without producing the Proof of Origin, the customs administration of the importing Party may deny the preferential tariff treatment or request a guarantee in any of its modalities or may take action necessary in order to preserve fiscal interests, as a pre-condition for the completion of importation operations subject to and in accordance with the laws, regulations and procedures of the importing Party.

23. Record Keeping Requirements.- (1) Each Party shall require that:

(a) its exporters, producers, approved exporter, or status holders and issuing bodies or authorities, as appropriate, retain for at least 5 years from the date of issuance or completion of the Proof of Origin or a longer period in accordance with its relevant laws and regulations, all records necessary to prove that the good for which the Proof of Origin was issued was originating; and

Explanation: For greater clarity these records shall include commercial accounting and customs documentation relating to the material(s) used in the production of the good, including but not limited to breakup of costs relating to material(s), labour, other overheads and any other relevant elements such as profits and related components, where these are applicable to the origin criteria.

(b) its importers retain, for at least 5 years from the date of importation of the good, or a longer period in accordance with its relevant laws and regulations, all records necessary to prove that the good for which preferential tariff treatment was claimed was originating.

(2) The original Proof of Origin document must be retained in a hard copy written format. All other supporting records may be maintained in any medium that allows for prompt retrieval, including in digital, electronic or written form, in accordance with that Party’s laws and regulations.

(3) The exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holders, shall, upon request of the issuing body or authority, of the exporting Party or the customs administration of the importing Party, make available records for inspection to enable verification of the origin of the good.

24. Waiver of Proof of Origin.- A Party shall not require a Proof of Origin if the importing Party has waived the requirement or does not require the importer to present a Proof of Origin in accordance with its law.

25. Post Importation Claim for Preferential Tariff Treatment.- (1) Each Party shall provide for an importer of a Party to apply for preferential tariff treatment and a refund of any excess duties paid for a good if the importer did not make a claim for preferential tariff treatment at the time of importation, provided that the good would have qualified for preferential tariff treatment when it was imported into its territory.

(2) As a condition for preferential tariff treatment under sub-rule (1), the importing Party may require that the importer, not later than 12 months after the date of importation or a longer period if specified in the importing Party’s laws and regulations, to:

(a) make a claim for preferential tariff treatment;

(b) where applicable, provide a copy of Proof of Origin; and

(3) Each Party shall provide that if the importer has reason(s) to believe that the claim for preferential tariff treatment is based on incorrect information that could affect the accuracy or validity of the Proof of Origin, the importer shall correct the importation document, and if applicable, pay any customs duty and penalties owed.

(4) When considering imposing a penalty in relation to a claim for preferential tariff treatment, the customs administrations of the Parties are encouraged to consider a voluntary notification given prior to the discovery of that error by the Party as a mitigating factor, provided that in the case of a notification given by an importer, the importer corrects the error and repays any duties owed.

26. Verification of Origin and Procedures.- (1) For the purposes of determining whether goods imported into a Party from the other Party qualify as originating goods, the importing Party may conduct a verification process. A verification process may be initiated on importation or after the release of the goods by the customs administration of the importing Party.

(2) A verification process may be initiated based on risk assessment methods, including random selection, or where the importing Party has reasonable doubt as to the authenticity of the origin of the goods.

(3) A verification process for determining whether a good imported into a Party is originating may include the following methods:

(a) a written request or requests for information from the importer of the good;

Explanation: For the purposes of this rule, where origin has been obtained using a qualifying value content methodology, information shall include breakdown of costs and other relevant elements, such as profit, for the determination of the origin of the good;

(b) a written request or requests for information on a Certificate of Origin from the exporting party;

(c) a written request or requests for information from the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder of the goods, through the competent authority or issuing authority of the exporting Party;

(d) a request to the competent authority of the exporting Party to assist in obtaining information from the exporter, producer, approved exporter or status holder;

(e) a verification visit to the premises of an exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder in the territory of the exporting Party,

in the normal course of a verification, the Parties shall utilise the methods in a sequential manner.

(4) For the purposes of clause (b) of sub-rule (3):

(a) the customs administration of the importing Party may request the competent or issuing authority, as appropriate, that issued the Certificate of Origin in the exporting Party, to assist it in verifying:

(i) the authenticity of a Certificate of Origin;

(ii) the accuracy of any information contained in the Certificate of Origin; and

(iii) the authenticity and accuracy of the supporting information and documents, associated to the Certificate of Origin, and provide copies of the relevant documents where requested;

(b) the customs administration of the importing Party shall provide the competent or issuing authority, as appropriate, with:

(i) the reasons why such assistance is sought;

(ii) the Certificate of Origin, or a copy thereof; and

(iii) any information and documents as may be necessary for the purpose of providing such assistance; and

(c) the competent or issuing authority in the exporting Party shall provide the information and documentation requested, within:

(i) 30 days from the date of receipt of the request, if the request pertains to the authenticity of issue of the Certificate of Origin, including the seal and signatures of the issuing authority;

(ii) 60 days from the date of receipt of such request, if the request is on the grounds of suspicion of the accuracy of the determination of origin of the product. This period can be extended for up to 30 days, if agreed by the Parties.

(5) Where a written request is made under clause (c) of sub-rule (3):

(a) the customs administration of the importing Party shall ensure that the information requested is limited to information pertaining to the fulfilment of the requirements of these rules as follows:

(i) Proof of Origin;

(ii) information supporting a claim that the good is originating under rule 3;

(iii) information related to the use of the de minimis, direct consignment or cumulation provisions of these rules; and

(iv) any other information including specific documentation where appropriate;

(b) the customs administration of the importing Party shall provide the exporter, producer, approved exporter or status holder, as appropriate, with:

(i) the reasons why information is being sought;

(ii) the Proof of Origin, or a copy thereof; and

(iii) any information and documents as may be necessary for the purpose of providing such information; and

(c) the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, shall provide the information within 60 days from the date of receipt of a request. This period can be extended for up to 30 days as agreed by the exporter, producer, approved exporter or status holder, and the customs administration of the importing Party.

(6) If the importing Party is not satisfied with the outcomes of the information received after completing the processes identified in clauses (a) through (d) of sub-rule (3) regarding whether the goods qualify as originating goods according to these rules, it may request in writing to the customs administration or competent authority of the exporting Party to seek agreement from the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder of the good to undertake for a verification visit to the premises of the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder to observe the facilities used in the production of the goods concerned, including review of the exporter’s, producer’s, approved exporter’s, or status holder’s accounts, or records in relation to the goods concerned or any other check considered appropriate and related to the purpose of the verification visit.

(7) The written request referred to in sub-rule (6) shall be as comprehensive as possible and include at a minimum:

(a) the name of the exporter, producer, approved exporter or status holder whose premises are to be visited;

(b) the goods subject to the verification process;

(c) reasons why the outcome(s) of the verification activity conducted under clauses (a) through (d) of sub-rule (3) to that date has not been satisfactory; and

(d) proposed date and time of visit.

(8) The request for a verification visit shall be made no later than 30 days and extendable as agreed by the Parties, following the receipt of the information referred to in clauses (a) through (d) of sub-rule (3).

(9) Officials from the exporting Party may accompany and assist the officials from the importing Party in their visit to the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder premises. The exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder shall identify two or more independent witnesses to be present during the verification visit. The above- mentioned verification visit process, including the actual visit and notification of written determination of the origin of the good, shall be completed within a maximum period of 6 months from the date when the verification visit was conducted.

(10) When the written consent of the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder for the visit is not obtained within 30 days from the date the customs or competent authority of the exporting Party receives the verification visit request, the customs administration of the importing Party may deny preferential tariff treatment to the good that would have been the subject of the verification visit.

(11) During a verification process, the importing Party shall allow the release of the good, subject to payment of duties or provision of security as provided for in its law.

(12) Upon completion of the verification process, the customs administration of the importing Party shall provide the importer with a written determination of whether the good is originating, along with the basis for the determination. If the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder of the good has been involved in the verification process they shall be notified on the outcome of the verification process.

(13) Upon the issuance of the written determination that the good does not qualify as an originating good, the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder shall be allowed 30 days from the date of receipt of the written determination to provide in writing comments or additional information regarding the eligibility of the good for preferential tariff treatment. The final written determination shall be communicated to the exporter or producer or approved exporter or status holder within 30 days from the date of receipt of the comments or additional information.

(14) Upon the issuance of the written determination that the good qualifies as an originating good, the importing Party shall immediately restore preferential benefits and promptly refunded any duties paid in excess of the preferential duty or release guarantees obtained in accordance with their domestic legislation.

27. Denial of Preferential Tariff Treatment.- (1) The importing Party may deny a claim for preferential tariff treatment if:

(a) it determines that the good does not qualify as originating within the terms of these rules or does not satisfy the requirement(s) of these rules;

(b) pursuant to a verification under rule 26, it has not received sufficient information to determine that the good qualifies as originating including;

(i) the importer, exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, fails to respond to or refuses a written request for information;

(ii) the importer, exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, fails to comply with any of the relevant requirements for obtaining preferential tariff treatment;

(iii) the importer, exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, or the issuing bodies or authorities, as appropriate, of the exporting Party fail to provide sufficient information and documents, within the prescribed timelines;

(iv) the exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, fails to give consent or respond to a request for a verification visit.

(2) If an importing Party denies a claim for preferential tariff treatment, it shall notify the importer in writing along with the reasons for such determination.

(3) If the importing Party establishes non-compliance of the goods with the rules of origin, duties shall be levied in accordance with the law of the importing Party.

28. Temporary Suspension of Preferential Treatment.- (1) If, following a verification procedure, the importing Party establishes that the importer, exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, has persistently or deliberately misrepresented the origin status of the goods, the importing and exporting Party shall consult with a view to take appropriate measures. If these measures are insufficient to prevent a reoccurrence of the misrepresentation, the importing Party may temporarily suspend preferential tariff treatment for that exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder.

(2) Based on consultations referred to in sub-rule (1) and in any case no longer than 2 months from the date of initiating consultations, a decision whether or not to suspend tariff preference may be taken by the importing Party. The importing Party shall notify the decision, including its reasoning, to the exporting Party, within 30 days after informing the importer accordingly.

(3) If verification procedures have shown that two or more exporters, producers, approved exporters, or status holders, of one Party have persistently or deliberately misrepresented the origin status of goods in a Proof of Origin for the same good at the six digit HS classification level declared to the customs administration of the importing Party and this same good of these exporters, producers, approved exporters, or status holders, accounts for more than half of the preferential imports of the same good in value terms from the exporting party over a period of 1 year prior to the first verification request, the importing Party may submit the matter to the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin and to the Joint Commission with a view to temporarily suspend preferential treatment for all imports of that good from the exporting Party.

(4) The Technical Committee on Rules of Origin shall discuss the matter and shall make a recommendation to the Joint Commission within 6 months from the date of submission on whether or not the importing Party may suspend the granting of preferential tariff treatment for this good as a temporary measure. The importing Party may only suspend preferential treatment if the recommendation of the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin is agreed by the Joint Commission.

(5) The temporary suspension shall apply only for a period no longer than 6 months or any other period that the Parties agree. Where the condition that gave rise to initial temporary suspension persists at the expiry of the 6-month period, the Party concerned may decide to renew the temporary suspension. Any such renewal shall be subject to periodic consultations within the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin.

(6) Following a temporary suspension at exporter level referred to in sub-rule (1) or a Joint Commission decision for temporary suspension as referred to in sub-rule (4) and pursuant to the conclusion of consultations between the Parties concerned, and the Parties, where applicable, agree that the exporter, or producer or approved exporter or status holder(s) has adopted appropriate remedial measures, the importing Party shall agree to:

(a) restore preferential benefit to the good with retrospective effect; or

(b) restore preferential benefit to the good with prospective effect, subject to implementation of any mutually agreed measures by one or both Parties.

29. Penalties.- (1) Each Party shall adopt or maintain measures that provide for the imposition of civil, administrative, and, where appropriate, criminal sanctions for violations of its customs laws and regulations, including those governing rules of origin, and the entitlement to preferential tariff treatment under this Agreement.

(2) Any importer, exporter, producer, approved exporter, or status holder, who incorrectly represents any material information relevant to the determination of origin of a good may be liable to be penalised under a Party’s law.

30. Goods in Transport or Storage.- In accordance with rule 25, the customs administration of the importing Party shall grant preferential tariff treatment for an originating good of the exporting Party which, on the date of entry into force of this Agreement:

(a) is in the process of being transported from the exporting Party to the importing Party; or

(b) has not been released from customs control, including an originating good stored in a bonded warehouse regulated by the customs administration of the importing Party.

31. Minor Discrepancies or Errors.- A Party shall not reject a Proof of Origin due to minor errors or discrepancies, such as slight discrepancies between documents, minor omissions of information, spelling, typing or formatting errors, or protrusions from the designated field, provided these minor discrepancies or errors do not create doubt as to the originating status of the good.

32. Confidentiality.- (1) The information obtained by the competent authority or customs administration of the importing Party can be utilised for arriving at a decision regarding the determination of origin in respect of a good and can be used in the legal proceedings concerning issues covered by these rules and in accordance with each Party’s respective law.

(2) Each Party shall protect the information from any unauthorised disclosure in accordance with their respective law.

33. Technical Committee on Rules of Origin.- (1) The Parties hereby establish a Technical Committee on Rules of Origin composed of government representatives of each Party responsible for rules of origin matters to consider any matters arising under these rules and its Annexures.

(2) The Technical Committee on Rules of Origin shall consult either in-person or virtually, upon the request of either Party, to ensure that these rules and its Annexures is administered effectively, uniformly and consistently with the spirit and objectives of this Agreement and shall cooperate in the administration of these rules and its Annexures and mutually resolve any issues that may arise.

(3) The Technical Committee on Rules of Origin shall consult to discuss possible amendments or modifications to these rules and its Annexures that may be necessary to reflect changes to the Harmonized System and taking into account developments in technology, production processes or other related matters.

34. Exchange of Electronic Data on Origin.- (1) The Parties shall establish an electronic system to exchange information on Certificates of Origin on entry into force of this Agreement.

(2) The Parties shall, within 12 months from entry into force of this Agreement, establish an electronic system to exchange information on other forms of Proof of Origin. The introduction of other forms of Proof of Origin, such as Origin Declaration, shall be subject to the establishment of an electronic system to exchange information to establish the authenticity of those self-declarations.

Annexure-A

[See clause (b) of rule 3]

(Product Specific Rules of Origin)

Section A Headnotes to the Annexure

1. For the purposes of this Annexure:

(a) “section” means a section of the Harmonized System; and

(b) “chapter” means the first two digits of the tariff classification number under the Harmonized System;

(d) “sub-heading” means the first six digits of the tariff classification number under the Harmonized System.

2. The product specific rule, or set of product specific rules, that applies to a particular sub-heading is set out immediately adjacent to the sub-heading, heading or chapter, as applicable.

3. A requirement of a change in tariff classification applies only to non-originating materials.

4. If a chapter, heading or sub-heading is excluded as part of a change in tariff classification rule, it means that non-originating materials of that chapter, heading or sub- heading may not be used to meet the change in tariff classification rule. All materials that are excluded must be originating goods.

5. Where a heading or sub-heading is subject to alternative product specific rules, the requirements of this Annexure will be considered to be satisfied if a good satisfies one of the alternative rules.

6. If a good is subject to a product specific rule that includes multiple requirements, the requirements of this Annexure will be considered to be satisfied for that good only if the good satisfies all applicable requirements.

7. For the purposes of Section B of this Annexure:

(a) “WO” means that good must be wholly obtained in the territory of one or both of the Parties within the meaning of rule 4;

(b) “CC” means that all non-originating materials used in the production of the good have undergone a change in tariff classification at the two-digit level;

(c) “CTH” means that all non-originating materials used in the production of the good have undergone a change in tariff classification at the four-digit level;

(d) “CTSH” means that all non-originating materials used in the production of the good have undergone a change in tariff classification at the six-digit level;

(e) “QVC (X)” means the good must satisfy the qualifying value content requirement set out in this Annexure, calculated in accordance with rule 6. The percentages of QVC specified in this Annexure are based on the Build-Down formula. Where the Build-Up formula is used, the required percentage of QVC is 10 percentage points lower than the percentage specified in this Annexure, except that, for goods under HS Chapter 71, the QVC percentage specified in this Annexure applies regardless of whether the Build-Down or Build-Up formula is used;

(f) “melt and pour” in one or both of the Parties means that the product must have been melted and poured in one or both of the Parties wherein the raw material is first produced in an iron or steel-making furnace in a liquid state, and then poured into its first solid shape; and

(g) a Product Specific Rule for this tariff classification shall be negotiated and agreed by the Technical Subcommittee on Rules of Origin, and adopted into this Annexure in accordance with the procedures established under this Agreement, wherein preferential tariff treatment for goods originating in New Zealand is provided under this Agreement. In the interim, a rule of wholly obtained shall apply for these tariff classifications.

Section B

Product Specific Rules