TAFTA
Thailand-Australian Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) is a major market opening agreement that will result in Thai tariffs being eliminated on virtually all goods imported from Australia by 1 January 2010. As soon as TAFTA enters into force, Thailand will eliminate tariffs on more than 50% of products, accounting for nearly 80% of Australia's current exports to Thailand.
VECCI is authorised to register exporters’ goods and products and issue approved Thailand-specific Certificates of Origin.TAFTA provides that goods can only attract a tariff preference if accompanied by a Certificate of Origin, which confirms that they meet the rules of origin set out in the TAFTA.
A separate, valid Certificate of Origin is required for each shipment of goods attracting a preference. The Australian exporter must be registered in respect of their goods to be exported under TAFTA before it can obtain a Certificate of Origin for shipment of goods. Australian Exporters must then forward a copy of each Certificate to the Thai importer.
Obtaining Thailand-specific Certificates of Origin
Australian exporters need to take the following steps to obtain such certificates:
1. Qualify for the preferential tariff rates by satisfying a Rule of Origin (ROO) test.
Exporters are required to know and understand the definitions on Rules of Origin and whether a Thai tariff applies to their goods, as some will not require preferential tariff treatment. 
Read the TAFTA rules of origin
2. Obtain and retain documentary proof of the goods' originating status
If you wish to access preferential tariffs for your goods, they must qualify as originating Australian Goods. Use the Self-Assessing Guide.
3. Become a ‘Registered Exporter’
Once you have confirmed that your goods satisfy TAFTA rule(s) of origin, you need to become a "Registered Exporter". Please refer to the TAFTA Information Pack for more information.
Confirming originating status of your goods
Exporters are required to know whether a Thai tariff applies to their goods, as some will not require preferential tariff treatment. This information can be found in Chapter 4 and Annex 4.
If you wish to access preferential tariffs for your goods, the next step is to confirm whether they qualify as originating Australian Goods. To view the Self-Assessing Guide click here.
How to become a Registered Exporter and obtaining Certificates of Origin
Once you have confirmed that your goods satisfy their rule (s) of origin, you will need to become a "Registered Exporter" and obtain "Certificates of Origin" for each shipment of goods claiming preferential tariff treatment. VECCI is authorised under TAFTA to conduct both of these processes.
4. Obtain a Certificate of Origin for each shipment claiming preferential tariff treatment
TAFTA Information Pack
Registration fees
Member: Free
Non-Members: $40.00 plus GST
Certification fee $10.00 is payable on top of the normal fees associated with the certification of the Certificate of Origin.
More information
VECCI Global
Ph: 03 8662 5422
Fax: 03 8662 5201
Email: vecciglobal@vecci.org.au