On June 2, in the office of the Ministry of International Trade of Ningbo Asia Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd., a declaration of origin of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (hereinafter referred to as RCEP) issued by the enterprise itself was printed out. It is reported that this declaration is the first declaration of origin issued by Ningbo after RCEP officially came into effect for the Philippines on June 2, 2023. With this declaration of origin, the company’s exports of white cardboard worth approximately 280000 yuan to the Philippines can directly enjoy zero tariff preferential treatment from the importing country.

“We are finally waiting for the effective implementation of RCEP in the Philippines.” Wei Li, manager of the International Trade Department of Asia Pulp and Paper Industry, said with emotion that some of the raw materials of the enterprise’s products come from Thailand and Indonesia. After processing in China, they are exported to the Philippines. Using the cumulative rules of origin, they can enjoy tariff relief in the Philippines under RCEP. “According to the foreign trade situation last year, it is expected that they can enjoy a benefit of 1.2 million yuan a year.”.

Moreover, as an approved exporter, Asia Pulp&Paper can also issue a declaration of origin under RCEP by itself, without applying to the visa authority for issuing a Certificate of origin in the traditional way. This not only effectively enhances the convenience of the implementation of free trade agreements, improves the efficiency of international trade logistics and the efficiency of goods clearance, but also reduces the operating costs of enterprises and further enhances international competitiveness.

With the entry into force of RCEP for the Philippines and the full entry into force of RCEP for 15 member states, it marks a new stage of comprehensive implementation for the world’s largest free trade zone.

We will provide preferential schemes under different free trade agreements for import and export enterprises, helping them maximize the benefits of RCEP and other free trade agreement policies, better integrate into regional industrial chains, and promote high-quality development of foreign trade.

According to statistics, from the formal entry into force of RCEP in January 2022 to the end of May this year, Ningbo Customs issued 36164 RCEP Certificate of origin for enterprises under its jurisdiction, 2287 RCEP declaration of origin issued by enterprises themselves, and the value of preferential goods exceeded 1.5 billion dollars. The main visa products include plastic products, textiles and clothing, aquatic products, etc.