Only goods that originate in either Japan or Australia enjoy preferential tariff rates, JAEPA preferential rules of origin (ROO) are agreed criteria used to ensure that this is the case. These criteria are required to prevent transhipment, where goods from a third party are redirected through either Japan or Australia to avoid paying higher tariffs. Any imports into Japan or Australia that do not comply with the ROO set out in Chapter 3 and Annex 2: Product Specific Rules (PSRs) will be subject to the general rate of duty applied in Australia or Japan instead of the preferential tariff rates available under JAEPA.

For Australian exporters, in general as ‘originating’ under JAEPA and eligible for JAEPA Certificate of Origin is:

• wholly obtained or produced entirely in Australia (or Australia & Japan); 
• produced entirely in Australia (or Australia & Japan), from materials classified as ‘originating’ under the ROO; or 
• produced in Australia (or Australia & Japan) using inputs from other countries, and meets the Product Specific Rule (PSR) applicable to that good.

For further information please refer to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

JAEPA Certificate of Origin is used to access the reduced tariff/duty rates on goods under the Japan- Australian Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA).