Tariffs Level Held Until 30 June 2011
[ Last Updated 29 April 2008 ]
On 22 April 2008, Minister of Commerce Lianne Dalziel announced that import tariffs will be held at their 1 July 2009 levels until 30 June 2011, to provide certainty about tariff levels over the following three years.
The last scheduled unilateral reduction of tariffs will still take place on 1 July 2009 when the highest tariffs (mainly on clothing, footwear and carpet) reduce to 10 per cent. From 1 July 2008 remaining tariffs, on a range of mainly manufactured goods, will also reduce to 5 percent.
Preferential tariffs negotiated under Free Trade Agreements will continue to reduce in line with agreed commitments.
The Minister also announced that a decision on the timing of any further unilateral review of import tariff levels will be made in mid-2009, in light of trade negotiations currently underway.
By mid-2009 there will be more information available to help make a decision on when any further unilateral tariff review might take place, including the outcomes of key comprehensive trade agreements New Zealand is negotiating and whether other key FTA negotiations are likely to proceed.
The Minister's full press release can be viewed here: Dalziel announces deferral of tariff review - [link to external website].
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