The Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) has just issued Official Letter No. 11/XNK-XXHH guiding the implementation of Circular No. 44/2025/TT-BCT dated July 7, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade, stipulating the Rules of Origin for goods in the Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), which takes effect from August 22, 2025.

According to the Import-Export Department, Circular 44/2025/TT-BCT was developed based on the ASEAN Secretariat's notification and also specifies the contents of the Second Protocol amending the AANZFTA Agreement. The issuance of the Circular aims to update the system of rules of origin to conform with the new commitments in the Agreement, facilitating trade and increasing the ability of businesses to utilize tariff preferences.

In particular, AANZFTA is one of Viet Nam's important free trade agreements, linking it with many major export markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Updating the rules of origin according to the Second Protocol is of practical significance in supporting businesses to meet origin requirements, thereby more effectively utilizing the tariff preferences from the agreement.

To ensure that Circular 44/2025/TT-BCT is implemented uniformly and without disrupting import and export activities, the Import and Export Department has issued Official Letter No. 11/XNK-XXHH providing specific guidance on the application of rules of origin during the transitional period, based on the provisions of Article 36 of the Circular and related guiding documents.

According to the guidelines, from February 20, 2026, until further notice, customs authorities and organizations issuing Certificates of Origin (C/O) will continue to apply the provisions of points a, b, and c of Clause 2, Article 36 of Circular 44/2025/TT-BCT to goods exported and imported with Indonesia and the Philippines. These are two AANZFTA member countries that have not yet implemented the Second Protocol.

For member countries that have completed the procedures and whose Second Protocol has entered into force, including Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia, the determination of origin of goods is carried out in full accordance with the provisions of Circular 44/2025/TT-BCT.

Source: Tin Tuc News