This order, which comes into force on 2 June 2023, amends the Customs and Excise (Specified RCEP Parties) Order 2021 (the principal order). It declares the Philippines to be a specified party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (the RCEP) for the purposes of the Customs and Excise Act 2018. The RCEP is a free trade agreement done at Hanoi, Vietnam, on 15 November 2020.

This order inserts the Philippines into the list of specified RCEP parties in the Schedule of the principal order with the date of 2 June 2023 next to it. That means that, on and from that date,—

• the Philippines will be a specified RCEP party (see clause 3(3) of the principal order); and

• authorised certification bodies will be able to issue New Zealand certificates of origin in respect of goods for export to the Philippines.

The Philippines will also be a specified RCEP party for the purposes of the Tariff Act 1988, under the Tariff (Specified RCEP Parties) Order 2021, on and from 2 June 2023.