UKFT has published a new guide to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is exclusively available to members. To access your copy or to find out about membership, please contact info@ukft.org

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

• Official name: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• Parties/territories: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam
• Date of entry into force: TBC

The treaty confirming the UK’s accession to the CPTPP was signed on 16 July 2023. The signature marks the formal confirmation of agreement for the UK to join the group, following the conclusion of negotiations earlier this year. The UKGovernment will now ratify the agreement through parliament, which will include scrutiny of texts and legislation, whilst other CPTPP countries must also complete their own legislative processes. The CPTPP benefits and obligations will apply to the UK once this has happened and there is much to be done, meaning that UK companies will not feel any benefit or change for at least 9-12 months – possibly longer.  

This document explains what CPTPP is and how it works and what it will mean for UK fashion and textile companies once the UK has formally acceded to it. It will be revised over time as the UK adapts to life inside this new trade bloc after ratification.  

The document outlines:

• The context for fashion and textiles
• What CPTPP is
• The strategic importance for the UK
• Rules of Origin (ROO) and Product Specific Rules (PSR) of CPTPP
• Fashion and textiles ROOs and PSRs
• Statements of Origin
• Date of entry into force
• Duty arrangements under CPTPP from start
• F&T HCC categories included on a 0% duty basis
• F&T HCC categories which will still attract duty/quota
• VAT required on import/export at the border
• Labelling requirements for goods in target country
• Intellectual property issues
• Suggested wording for Certificates of Origin