AANZFTA Second Protocol entered into force for Brunei, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia on 21 April 2025.
The protocol has now entered into force for Vietnam on 22 August 2025 and will enter force for Thailand on 1 October 2025.
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) Second Protocol is the amendment of AANZFTA First Protocol by member countries. It means there are changes to the Rules of Origin requirements for exporters. Here’s what you need to know and what you need to do.
What you need to know
The Second Protocol entered into force for the below AANZFTA Parties on 21 April 2025:
- Brunei
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia and Singapore
- Australia and New Zealand
The protocol will now enter into force for the following Parties:
- Vietnam – 22 August 2025
- Thailand – 1 October 2025
A new AANZFTA Certificate of Origin template is applicable for these countries to reflect the changes of the Rules of Origin requirements.
What happens to those countries that are not entering the Second Protocol into force?
The rest of the AANZFTA parties will still operate under the First Protocol until they ratify the Second Protocol.
There will be a transitional period starting from the date the Second Protocol first entered into force (21 April 2025) until the date when the Second Protocol enters into force for all AANZFTA parties.
How will Certificates of Origin (COO) be issued if there are Parties in two protocols during the transition period?
During this period there will be Parties in the First Protocol and Parties in the Second Protocol. Depending on which Protocol a Party is in will determine which COO form and Product Specific Rules (PSRs) will need to be used.
You will only be able to use Second Protocol rules of origin (including COO template and PSRs) if you are sending goods from a Second Protocol Party to a Second Protocol Party (currently Brunei, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam).
In all other scenarios, you must apply First Protocol Rules as there will be a First Protocol party involved.
What happens during the transitional period?
During the transitional period, the Rules of Origin applicable will depend on who the importing and exporting Parties are. Official advice to come in due course, once received from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
What do you need to do?
- Familiarise yourself with the below provisions of AANZFTA Second Protocol if you intend to export Australian goods to Brunei, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Vietnam (now), or Thailand (from 1 October 2025).
- Complete AANZFTA COO Second Protocol template
- Submit the completed template to Business Chamber Queensland at [email protected] for manual issuance. Electronic issuance of AANZFTA COO Second Protocol is now available via essCert and CertConnect.
Our team is here to support you
Contact Business Chamber Queensland’s International Trade Team for assistance on 1300 731 988 or email [email protected].
