The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) implemented its latest scheduled tariff reductions on January 1, 2026, marking the fourth round of cuts since the agreement entered force in 2022. Exporters trading with ASEAN member states, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand stand to benefit from reduced or eliminated duties on a new tranche of products.
Key Changes in This Round
This year's reductions primarily affect:
- Processed Food Products — Duties on exported Chinese processed foods to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines drop by an additional 3–5 percentage points, with several lines now at zero tariff
- Auto Parts — Selected components (brake systems, transmission parts, electrical wiring) exported to Thailand and Vietnam see duties halved from previous RCEP rates
- Medical Devices — Tariffs on diagnostic equipment and surgical instruments to Japan and South Korea reduce to zero for qualifying origin goods
- Textile Raw Materials — Synthetic fibres and specialty fabrics to Australia and New Zealand benefit from further 2–3% rate reductions
Documentation Requirements
To claim the preferential rates, exporters must present a valid RCEP Certificate of Origin (Form RCEP) or a self-certified declaration of origin. Key requirements include:
- The product must meet the RCEP origin criteria (wholly obtained, regional value content ≥ 40%, or product-specific rules)
- The certificate must be issued or declared before or at the time of export
- Electronic certificates (e-Form RCEP) are accepted by all member states
Our export documentation team handles RCEP origin certification as part of our standard Export Agency service, ensuring your shipments claim the lowest available duty rate at destination.