The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is a free trade agreement between Canada and ten other countries in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The CPTPP came into force on December 30, 2018 for the first six countries to ratify the agreement — Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore. Vietnam followed suit on January 14, 2019, Peru on September 19, 2021, and Malaysia on November 29, 2022.

Under the CPTPP, customs duties will immediately be eliminated or reduced on almost all imports between the participating countries. The duties on some agricultural goods and on a few other products will be eliminated or reduced through an agreed upon tariff phase-out period. Please see the consolidated text of the CPTPP agreement for more detail on the tariff elimination schedule for each country. 
 

Proof of Origin
In order to claim the preferential tariff treatment, a set a data elements referred to as a ‘certification origin’ must be provided by the exporter, producer or importer of the goods by adding the information to any document (e.g., Commercial Invoice) accompanying the shipment or if preferred, by providing it on a separate document. The data elements do not have to follow a prescribed format but must contain the minimum data elements listed below. In addition, the imported goods must originate and be exported from a CPTPP ratified country.

1. Indicate the Certifier (Importer, Exporter or Producer)
2. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Certifier
3. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Exporter (if different from the certifier)
4. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Producer (if different from the certifier, or exporter)
5. Name, Address and Contact Information of the Importer
6. Description and HS Tariff Classification for the Goods
7. Origin Criterion for the Goods
8. Blanket Period
9. Authorized Signature and Date

Note: The certification of origin must be signed and dated by the Certifier and accompanied by the following statement:

“I certify that the goods described in this document qualify as originating and the information contained in this document is true and accurate. I assume responsibility for proving such representations and agree to maintain and present upon request or to make available during a verification visit, documentation necessary to support this certification”

For full details regarding the minimum data requirements for the certification of origin, please refer to Annex 3-B of the CPTPP agreement.

Important Information

• Commercial goods. Products valued less than CA$1600 do not require a certification of origin to claim CPTPP preferential tariff treatment. Instead, only a signed statement completed by the importer, exporter or producer certifying that the goods originated from a CPTPP country, is required on the commercial invoice or any other supporting document.
• Casual goods. The country of origin, for goods other than for sale or for commercial use, must be from a CPTPP country and clearly marked on any accompanying supporting documents (e.g., Commercial Invoice and Air waybill) to benefit from the preferential tariff treatment. In addition, there must be no marks to indicate that the goods are not a product of a CPTPP country.
• CPTPP preferential tariff treatment. Will reduce or eliminate duties but does not affect import taxes. All applicable taxes will be assessed accordingly.
• Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ). Quota limits are still in effect for many agriculture products and will differ for each participating country (e.g., personal importations of cheese and some dairy products into Canada are limited to CA$20 per person).

Benefits

• Improved access for trade. Provides Canadian companies access to key foreign markets that represent 495 million people and 13.5% of the global GDP.
• Increased savings. CPTPP will eliminate or reduce tariffs (duties) on almost all commodities and lessen non-tariff barriers.
• Streamlined regulation. CPTPP will establish a framework for trade in the Asia-Pacific region that will make it easier for countries to transact business with each other.
• Foreign Investment. Greater access, stability, transparency and protection for Canadian investors.

Additional Resources

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Customs Notice 18-22

Government of Canada website is available for the latest news and information

Canada CPTPP Tariff Rate Quota FAQs

CPTPP Rules of Origin