BACKGROUND

The creation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) was agreed at the 1992 ASEAN Summit in Singapore. The main objectives of the AFTA are to:

• create a single market and an international production base;

• attract foreign direct investments; and

• expand intra-ASEAN trade and investments.

AFTA was also created as a response to other emerging regional groupings, such as the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and the expansion of the European Union (EU). It was also to leverage on the huge potentials and complementarities that exist in the region in order to strengthen and deepen intra-ASEAN industrial linkages including creating strong and competitive in small and medium enterprises.

The liberalisation of trade in the region through elimination of both intra-regional tariffs and non-tariff barriers had contributed towards making ASEAN's manufacturing sectors more efficient and competitive in the global market. As a result, consumers are able to source goods from the more efficient producers in ASEAN, thus creating a robust intra-ASEAN trade.

Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme

The primary mechanism for achieving the goals of AFTA is the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme which established a phased schedule in 1992 to increase the “region’s competitive advantage as a production base for the world market”. The gradual reduction and elimination of intra-regional tariffs within ASEAN is done based on the level of sensitivity of the products to the respective ASEAN Member States (AMS) domestic industry.

Unlike the EU, AFTA does not apply a common external tariff on imported goods. Each ASEAN member may impose tariffs on goods entering from outside ASEAN based on its national schedules. However, for goods originating within ASEAN, ASEAN members are to apply a tariff rate of 0 to 5 per cent (the more recent members of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam, also known as CMLV countries, were given additional time to implement the reduced tariff rates).

The rapid economic growth experienced by the region in the early 1990s, also led to Economic Ministers advancing the end date to realise the duty reduction to 0-5 per cent to 2003 from the original deadline of 2008. This timeline was further advanced to 2002 as part of the 1998 Bold Measures in response to the 1997 financial crisis. The Economic Ministers further agreed to eliminate import duties on all products except for a small number of sensitive products by 2010 for Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore and 2015 for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam.

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was first mooted at the Bali Summit in October 2003 where the ASEAN Leaders declared that the AEC shall be the goal of regional economic integration by 2020. However, at the 12th ASEAN Summit in January 2007, the ASEAN Leaders affirmed their strong commitment to accelerate the establishment of the AEC by 2015 with the goal to transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor and freer flow of capital.

Reviewing and enhancing the CEPT Scheme was one of the key measure stipulated under the AEC 2015 to create free flow of goods in the region. The CEPT Scheme was then superseded by the new agreement namely as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) in 2010.

ATIGA was signed in Hua Hin, Thailand on 26 February 2009 during the 14th ASEAN Summit Meeting and came into force on 17 May 2010. The objectives of ATIGA are:

• to be on par with key principles of the Trade In Goods (TIG) Agreements with Dialogue Partners;

• set out disciplines in implementing the commitments and obligations in ASEAN such as elimination and reduction of import duties, removal of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and enhanced transparency in the concessions granted;

• ensure consistency of the provisions that are currently stated in the various agreements, documents, decisions of the AFTA Council and the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting; and

• provide a legal framework that will realise the free flow of goods in the region, with a view to establishing a single market and production base by 2015.

The ATIGA value-adds to the CEPT Scheme in terms of inclusion of disciplines on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures as well as Temporary Modification and Suspension of Concessions. The Article on Temporary Modification and Suspension of Concessions provides guidelines for compensation as a remedy for losses arising from any modification of existing commitments.

The ATIGA enhances the CEPT Scheme with new initiatives such as:

• comprehensive coverage in Trade in Goods;

• consolidated and streamlined rights and obligations;

• full tariff reduction schedules;

• streamlined provisions on modification of concessions and trade remedies;

• non-tariff measures;

• trade facilitation and related chapters; and

• trade repository.

There are many benefits of ATIGA. Among them are:

• minimise barriers and deepen economic linkages among AMS;

• lower business costs;

• increase trade, investment and economic efficiency;

• create a larger market with greater opportunities and larger economies of scale for the businesses of AMS; and

• create and maintain a competitive investment area.

Tariff Elimination

Effective 1 January 2010, Malaysia with five other ASEAN Member States (which are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) is a complete free trade area. These countries have eliminated import duties on 99 per cent of products in the Inclusion List (except for products listed in the Sensitive and Highly Sensitive Lists).

Today, the ASEAN-6 has 99.20 per cent of tariff lines in the Inclusion List at 0% import duty. This means that, only 0.35 per cent of the tariff lines in the Inclusion list have import duties.

For CLMV, 90.90 per cent of the tariff lines in the Inclusion List are already at 0% import duty.

Therefore, on the average, ASEAN member states have 96.01 per cent tariff lines at 0% import duty according to the ATIGA Tariff Schedule of 2016.  

Table 1: Number of Tariff Lines at 0% in the ATIGA Tariff Schedule of 2016

Malaysia has eliminated duties on 98.74 per cent of its tariff lines in our ATIGA Tariff Schedules for 2016. We now only have 73 tariff lines or less than 1 per cent (0.59 percent) that have import duties ranging from 5% to 20% covering tropical fruits, tobacco and highly sensitive products (rice products) . Malaysia has placed 82 Tariff Lines (TLs) which comprise of alcoholic beverages and arms weapons in the General Exclusion List (GEL). These products are not subject to import duties reduction or elimination.

Based on the commitments under AFTA and ATIGA, CLMV eliminated duties on all products in 2016 with flexibility of 7 per cent of tariff lines up to 2018.

With the reduction and elimination of the import duties, producers/manufacturers can afford to buy raw materials at a cheaper price and better quality from ASEAN countries. This would lead to the reduction in costs of production due to the elimination and reduction in tariff. As a result, prices of the finished products will be more competitive not only within ASEAN Member States but with other countries as well. With larger scale of production and 625 million ASEAN populations, it provides broader market access to producers/manufacturers.

Intra-ASEAN Trade and Investment

The efforts taken under the AEC have brought beneficial impacts to all ASEAN Member States. ASEAN’s economy has recorded a positive development whereby the average growth for 2007 to 2015 is 5.1 per cent. This was a significant achievement for ASEAN in comparison with other regions in the world. Collectively, ASEAN is the seventh largest economy with US$2.6 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The region’s growth rooted from the substantial intra-ASEAN trade activity with the value recorded at US$543.7 billion or 24 per cent from the grand total of ASEAN’s trade. Furthermore, ASEAN has successfully attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) from year to year and for 2015, the total net inflow of FDI into ASEAN amounted at US$119.9 billion.

Table 2: Intra-ASEAN Trade 2012-2015

Table 3: Flows of Inward Direct Investment to ASEAN 2012 -2015

RULES OF ORIGIN

Rules of Origin (ROO) are an integral part of any preferential trading arrangements. ROO sets out the conditions under which goods traded under free trade or preferential trade arrangements are considered "originating". This is to ensure that goods are manufactured or transformed in the exporting country through substantial value-added activities.

ROO is used as a tool for importing countries to ascertain only qualified products are entitled to benefit from the preferential tariff concession committed under the ATIGA. Goods that are merely transshipped or underwent simple processes do not qualify. The preferential import duty rates are then granted when compliance to the specific ROO has been established. As part of the requirements of the ATIGA, imported goods must be accompanied by the Certificate of Origin (COO) Form D issued by a designated authority by the government to support the claim that they are eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the specific FTA.

Types of Rules of Origin

ATIGA has a set of ROOs. It is important that the business community in Malaysia understands the ROOs so as not to be denied preferential tariffs when exporting their products in position to maximise the use of an FTA.

ROO can be divided into percentage criterion, or a combination of percentage and process criterion.

1. Wholly Obtained Products 
   
   Where a product is wholly obtained or produced in the exporting country it shall be considered as originating.
   
   Examples of wholly obtained products include: forestry products; fruits; flowers; vegetables; trees; seaweed; fungi and live plants; plant products grown and harvested in the Party to FTA; animal life, including mammals; birds; fish; crustaceans; mollusks; reptiles; and living organisms born and raised in the Party to the FTA.
    

2. Not Wholly Obtained Products 
   
   Where it is not wholly obtained, the product will be considered originating if it is processed and substantially transformed in the exporting country or contains a certain level of Regional Value Content (RVC) or sometimes termed as local content.
   
   In ASEAN the RVC is 40%. Other than RVC, the Change in Tariff Classification (CTC) is also used as a criterion. The CTC can be further divided into Change in Chapter (CC), Change in Tariff Heading (CTH), and Change in Tariff Sub-Heading (CTSH). Generally ASEAN's ROOs are 40% RVC or CTH.
   
   In addition to RVC and CTC, some specific rules may apply for specific products under ATIGA such as for textile and textile products. These activities are clearly spelt out under the Product Specific Rules (PSRs). ATIGA ROOs provides clear definition on how packaging, accessories, spare parts, and tools are treated in the assessment of exemption of import duties and in calculation for determining originating status. The value of accessories, spare parts and tools are to be considered in the calculation as originating or non- originating if it is a standard requirement for the goods.

[ANNEX 8: OPERATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE ATIGA ROO]

SELF-CERTIFICATION PILOT PROJECT

Self-certification is a system which enables the Certified Exporter (CE) to make out an invoice declaration for the exports of good. The CE comprised of manufacturers and traders. The information in the invoice declaration is less than what appears in ATIGA Form D.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the 1st Self Certification Pilot Project involving three participating member states namely Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore was signed on 26 August 2010 during the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting which entered into force from 1 November 2010, while Thailand is the fourth Participating Member State (PMS) and took off effective 28 October 2011. The newer member to the 1st Self-Certification Pilot Project is Cambodia and Myanmar which officially joined the other four participating member states in 2015.

The main objectives of Self Certification Scheme are:

• Facilitating intra-ASEAN trade;

• Reduce cost and time of doing business; and

• Maximise the efficiency of the government limited resources.

The 30th AFTA Council Meeting held on 3 August 2016 agreed to extend the implementation of the 1st Self-Certification Pilot Project until 2018. This is to provide more time for other ASEAN Member States to participate in this pilot project.

Currently, Malaysia has appointed 184 CE, Brunei Darussalam 10 CE, Cambodia 2 CE, Singapore 66 CE and Thailand 180 CE.

There is also the 2nd Pilot Project being implemented concurrently with the 1st Self-Certification Pilot Project. Presently, there are five participating member states of the 2nd Self-Certification Pilot Project namely Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. The 2nd Self-Certification Pilot Project has a different set of requirements which make it significantly different from the 1st Pilot Project, for example, only manufacturers can be appointed as CE.

The ASEAN-wide implementation of Self-Certification System is targeted to be realised by 2018. For this purpose, ASEAN has initiated the process by formulating a Work Plan towards achieving the ASEAN-wide implementation and will engage in series of discussion as to come up with the relevant documents to implement the system.

TRADE FACILITATION IN ASEAN

Trade facilitation is one of the key strategic measures which support the free flow of goods for the establishment of a single market and production base when the first AEC 2015 was agreed by the Leaders in 2007. Under the AEC Blueprint 2009-2015, the trade facilitation aimed for a simple, harmonised and standardised trade and customs, processes and procedures which will enhance export competitiveness and facilitate the integration of ASEAN into a single market for goods, services and investments and a single production base.

ASEAN will continue to accord high priority to trade facilitation initiatives and this is embedded comprehensively in the AEC Blueprint 2025. The trade facilitation initiative pave way for various works including on the efforts towards developing a comprehensive action plan on trade facilitation and welcomed other on-going efforts in enhancing trade facilitation through various initiatives, which includes the ASEAN Self-Certification Scheme, the establishment of ASEAN Trade Repository, ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Solutions for Investments, Services and Trade as well as the ASEAN Customs Transit System. These initiatives encapsulated ASEAN’s efforts on enhancing transparency and access to information on the regulatory environment of each ASEAN Member State, and greatly facilitate doing business in the region. Furthermore, this will provide a much needed avenue for the private sector to raise their concerns on doing business through a more systematic, timely and cost-effective manner.

 

ASEAN Self-Certification Scheme

Refer to Self-Certification Pilot Project tab on the left.

 

ASEAN Single Window (ASW)

• ASW is a regional initiative which complements, connects and integrates National Single Window (NSW) of AMS. Its objectives are to expedite cargo clearance and promote economic integration in ASEAN.

• Documents to be exchanged: ATIGA CO Form D.

• Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have joined the live implementation of ASW system.

 

 ASEAN Trade Repository (ATR)

• Article 13 of the ATIGA called for the establishment of the ASEAN Trade Repository (ATR). The National Trade Repository (NTR) is the necessary precursor to build on the ATR, which will be hyperlinked to the ATR gateway.

• The ATR is made accessible to the public through internet:

1. NTR: mytraderepository.customs.gov.my;

2. ATR: atr.asean.org.

• The NTR contains the trade and customs laws and procedures of all AMSs and trade-related information such as:

1. tariff nomenclature;

2. MFN tariffs, preferential tariffs offered under this Agreement and other Agreements of ASEAN with its Dialogue Partners;

3. rules of origin;

4. non-tariff measures;

5. national trade and customs laws and rules;

6. procedures and documentary requirements;

7. administrative rulings;

8. best practices in trade facilitation applied by each Member State; and

9. list of authorised traders of AMSs.

 

ASEAN Solutions for Investments, Trade and Services (ASSIST)

• Way Forward: Trade-Facilitative Principles:
   

1. To revive the old ACT system. Be more reliable, credible and based on ‘due processes.

2. ARISE is assisting ASEAN with the new mechanism called ASSIST.

3. It is a non-binding and consultative mechanism for the solution of operational problems encountered by ASEAN-based enterprises on cross-border issues.

4. ASSIST is fully internet-based and free of charge.

• Updates:

1. ASSIST has been fully operationalised.

2. ASSIST is also linked to the ASEAN Trade Repository (ATR).

3. Plays key role in addressing NTBs.

 

ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS)

• The ACTS is a computerised Customs transit management system.

• The main objectives of ACTS is to:

1. increase the efficiency and effectiveness of transit procedures;

2. improve both the prevention and detection of fraud; and

3. accelerate transactions carried out under a transit procedure and to offer security for them.

• Main features of ACTS are to assist Customs and trade. The system will use a single electronic goods declaration from departure to destinations. It is also a secure and efficient system through:

1. Full end-to-end computerisation of operations;

2. Proven operators authorised to use simplified procedures; and

3. Complete customs-to-customs and customs-to-business network.

 

ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Consultative Committee (ATF-JCC)

• ATF-JCC aims at strengthening cooperation to promote efficient trade among AMS through trade facilitation reforms or measures to reduce trade transaction costs and enhance competitiveness.

• Considerable work has been done in the past and this Committee is focusing in developing the work-programme, trade facilitation indicators (TFIs), establishment of National Coordinating Committee (NCC) and technical assistance from Dialogue Partners.

• The ATF-JCC also involves private sector.

 

RELATED DOCUMENTS

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement

1. The First Protocol to Amend the ATIGA, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 22 January 2019

2. Protocol to Amend the Protocol to Provide Special Consideration for Rice and Sugar, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 28 October 2010

3. ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement – Book Version

4. ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

5. Annex 1 (List of Notifiable Measures)

6. Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules – AHTN 2017) 

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Brunei (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Cambodia (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Indonesia (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Lao PDR (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Malaysia (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Myanmar (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Philippines (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Singapore (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Thailand (AHTN 2017)

   • Annex 2 (Tariff Schedules) – Viet Nam (AHTN 2017)

7. Annex 3 (Product Specific Rules – AHTN 2017)

8. Annex 3 Attachment 1 (Product Specific Rules for Textile – HS 2017)

9. Annex 4 (ITA products in AHTN 2017)

10. Annex 5 (Principles and Guidelines for Calculating Regional Value Content on the ATIGA)

11. Annex 6 (Implementing Guidelines for Partial Cumulation under Article 30(2) on ASEAN Cumulative ROO)

12. Annex 7 (CO Form D and its Overleaf Notes – Endorsed during the 35th AFTA Council)

13. Annex 8 (Operational Certification Procedures to allow the AWSC Scheme – Endorsed during the 35th AFTA Council)

14. Annex 9 (List of SPS Measures)

15. Annex 10 (Contact Points Designated for the Implementation of the Chapter 8 on SPS Measures of the ATIGA)

16. Annex 11 (List of Superseded Agreements)

CONTACT US

For matters relating to Preferential Certificate of Origin (CO Form D) / Rules of Origin, please contact:

1. Ms. Izzati Saadiah Mohamad Saad
   DL: 03-62084803
   Email: izzatisaadiah@miti.gov.my
    
2. Ms. Nurazira Amira Saiful Bahri
   DL: 03-62084735
   Email: n.amira@miti.gov.my
    
3. Ms. Nurul Afifah Fauzi
   DL: 03-62084801
   Email: afifah.mystep@miti.gov.my
    
4. Mr. Muhammad Faris Sameon
   DL: 03-62084750
   Email: faris@miti.gov.my
    
5. Ms. Siti Hawani Hamidun
   DL: 03-62084724
   Email: hawani@miti.gov.my
    
6. Ms. Emilda Zulkeflee
   DL: 03-62084721
   Email: emilda@miti.gov.my
    
7. Ms. Sumathi Visualingom
   DL: 03-62084717
   Email: sumathi.lingom@miti.gov.my
    

For other enquiries with regard to AFTA, please contact following officers:

1. Ms. Rajeswari a/p Veerasanai
   DL: 03-6200 0378
   Email: reswary@miti.gov.my
    
2. Mr. Simon Hoi Theng Phang
   DL: 03-6200 0389
   Email: simon@miti.gov.my