Online Certificate of Origin system launched

An online system has been launched to help exporters better manage Certificates of Origin.

Independent Verification Services (IVS), a New Zealand Customs designated body for the issue of Certificates of Origin, has released a web-based product tailored specifically to meet the needs of New Zealand exporters.

“Exporting products to a country of 1.3 billion people without having your profits eroded by tariffs is an exciting prospect for any New Zealand business,” Chief Executive of IVS Peter Webb said.

“Under the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), exporters can take full advantage of the benefits on offer, including tariff reductions, enhanced regulatory co-operation and, in the case of the CFTA, preferential customs clearance.”

IVS’ web-based system was officially launched at the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of NZ (CBAFF) Conference in Queenstown on 13 May.

The system allows exporters to manage their own certificates, and also includes functionality to enable agents, such as freight forwarders and customs brokers, to provide an improved level of service by managing certificates on their client’s behalf.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into what’s required and have come up with a secure, efficient system which should ultimately help exporters capitalise on all the free trade agreements which New Zealand now has in place,” Webb added.

The Certificate of Origin website is split into three areas – one relating to CFTA, one for AANZFTA and one for non-preferential certificates.

The site enables exporters to import and save their product lines along with all consignee and exporter details.

Information can also be transferred between the three areas so the information doesn’t need to be re-entered for different agreements, and as new free trade agreements come into force the system will be expanded and streamlined to accommodate them.

In order for exporters or their agents to obtain Certificates of Origin using the new site, they need to register with IVS.

For more information:

Phone 0800 021 169 (+64 7 857 0881) or visit the IVS website.

June 2009