Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement
Australia and The United Kingdom have developed a Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) that will enter into force on 31 May 2023.
The Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (A-UKFTA) was signed virtually on 17 December 2021 by the Hon Dan Tehan MP, former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Secretary of State for International Trade.
The implementing legislation received the Royal Assent on 23 November 2022 and will enter into force on 31 May 2023.
Benefits for Australian Industry
The A-UKFTA has been designed to create new opportunities for Australian industry and help strengthen trade diversification in key areas, including:
- Services (mutual recognition of professional qualifications)
- Digital Trade (reduce digital trade barriers)
- Goods (elimination of tariffs)
- Investment (create opportunities and innovation)
- High-quality rules and standards (create a predictable business environment)
- Ease of doing business (removal of trade-restrictive measures)
Further information on A-UKFTA benefits for Australian industry is available here
Declaration of Origin
There are requirements under the Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures to qualify for the A-UKFTA.
A Declaration of Origin (DOO) can be issued by the Exporter, Producer or Authorised Representative of the Exporter or Producer, and must contain the data elements listed in Annex 4A (Data Requirements).
A comprehensive list of the A-UKFTA Rules of Origin is available here
To receive a template DOO, please contact us here
Claiming a Duty Refund
The A-UKFTA will apply to import shipments with a valid A-UKFTA Declaration of Origin and where the customs entry is lodged after 31 May 2023.
Claiming a duty refund under the A-UKFTA is possible in instances where an importer has paid customs duty because a valid declaration of origin was not available at the time of entry. The importer would need a valid Declaration of Origin to claim a refund under section 23 of the Customs (International Obligations) Regulation 2015.
Further information on claiming a refund under the A-UKFTA is available here
Note – a customs entry lodged before 31 May 2023 cannot be amended to apply for a duty refund, even if a valid A-UKFTA Declaration of Origin is presented.