REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) at a virtual signing ceremony on 15 November 2020. Australia signed in Canberra, and the other 14 states signed in their respective territories.
RCEP is a free trade agreement between:
- Australia
- Brunei
- China
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Korea
- Japan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
The implementing legislation received the Royal Assent on 25 October 2021.
RCEP can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement page.
Entry into force
RCEP entered into force on 1 January 2022 for:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- China
- Japan
- Laos
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
RCEP entered into force on the following dates for:
- Korea: 1 February 2022
- Malaysia: 18 March 2022
- Indonesia: 2 January 2023
- Philippines: 2 June 2023
Under subsection 153ZQB(6) of the Customs Act 1901, the Minister must announce by notifiable instrument the day RCEP enters into force for a party other than Australia.
