General policy statement

This Bill amends the Tariff as part of the implementation of a bilateral trade agreement, namely the New Zealand–Hong Kong, China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement done at Hong Kong on 29 March 2010 (the CEP).

Amendments to the Tariff will enable the application of preferential tariff rates under the CEP.

Clause by clause analysis

Clause 1 is the Title clause.

Clause 2 provides for the Bill to come into force on a date appointed by Order in Council. This form of commencement is necessary in order to co-ordinate the Bill's commencement with the entry into force of the CEP.

Clause 3 identifies the principal document amended by this Bill: the Tariff. A copy of the Tariff as from time to time amended, modified, or revoked and replaced on or after 1 January 2010 is, as required by section 9B of the Tariff Act 1988, published at the following Internet site:

• http://www.customs.govt.nz/library/The+Working+Tariff+Document/.

Clause 4 inserts Hong Kong, China in the list of preferential countries in note 3 of the Tariff. This has the effect of enabling preferential tariff rates to be applied to goods imported from Hong Kong, China.

The preferential tariff rates applicable to goods imported from Hong Kong, China will be inserted into the Tariff by an Order in Council that is made under section 9 of the Tariff Act 1988 and that, in accordance with section 7C of that Act, incorporates those rates by reference.