RCEP tariff 2026: preferential import duty & C/O

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

ChinaJapanKoreaAustralia, New ZealandASEAN (member states)
Quick facts
Effective for Vietnam
01/01/2022
Members
China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, ASEAN (member states)
C/O form
RCEP (back-to-back C/O supported; approved-exporter self-certification from member countries accepted)
Import side: competent authority of the exporting member or approved-exporter self-certification; Vietnamese exports: issued via eCoSys
Legal basis
Decree 129/2022/NĐ-CP, supplemented by Decree 84/2023/NĐ-CP (extending application to Myanmar and the Philippines)
Circular 05/2022/TT-BCT, amended by Circular 32/2022/TT-BCT (PSR on HS 2022 + new C/O overleaf from 01/01/2023)
7,068/10,920 tariff lines at 0%

Top HS codes with the biggest duty savings under RCEP

HS codeDescriptionMFNRCEPDifference
63090000Worn clothing and other worn articles100%50%−50 pts
85434000Electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporising devices50%0%−50 pts
87046092g.v.w. exceeding 10 t but not exceeding 20 t70%30%−40 pts
87049093g.v.w. exceeding 10 t but not exceeding 20 t70%30%−40 pts
87041034g.v.w. exceeding 20 t but not exceeding 24 t50%10%−40 pts
19030000Tapioca and substitutes therefor prepared from starch, in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, siftings or in similar forms40%0%−40 pts
22019090Other40%0%−40 pts
87031010Golf cars (including golf buggies) and similar vehicles70%35%−35 pts
87031090Other70%35%−35 pts
87032141Go-karts70%35%−35 pts

Based on the 2026 tariff schedule, excluding quota-restricted lines. Data is for reference only.

Does your shipment qualify for RCEP?

Have an Avenir expert check the rules of origin & C/O form - free of charge.

Rules of origin to know

  • Biggest advantage: 15-country cumulation - Chinese/Japanese/Korean/ASEAN/Australian/NZ inputs all count toward origin; extremely useful for multi-source supply chains.
  • NOTE tariff differentiation by country: for the same code, the RCEP rate for Chinese goods can differ from Japanese/Korean goods - determine the correct "RCEP country of origin" under the rules.
  • Back-to-back C/O lets you split consignments in an intermediate member country without losing origin.
  • General rule: RVC 40% or CTH, detailed PSR in Circular 05/2022/TT-BCT (updated to HS 2022 by Circular 32/2022/TT-BCT).

Steps to claim RCEP preferential duty

  1. 1
    Determine the 8-digit HS code

    Use Avenir’s HS lookup tool or ask an expert.

  2. 2
    Compare RCEP with the narrower agreement for the same partner

    ATIGA/ACFTA/AKFTA/VKFTA/AJCEP/VJEPA/AANZFTA are often deeper on many lines - RCEP wins when you need multi-source cumulation or back-to-back.

  3. 3
    Determine the correct RCEP country of origin

    Because rates differ by country, declaring the wrong "RCEP country of origin" means declaring the wrong rate.

  4. 4
    Request a Form RCEP C/O

    Check the country-of-origin box, the criterion, and the overleaf format applicable from 01/01/2023.

  5. 5
    Declare the C/O on the declaration

    Declare at clearance; 1-year supplementary window under Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC.

Post-clearance audit risks & common mistakes

Ignoring tariff differentiation by country

Applying another country’s column within the same RCEP schedule - an error unique to RCEP that produces a wrong duty declaration even with a valid C/O.

Assuming RCEP is always lowest

For single-source goods (e.g. 100% Chinese), Form E/ACFTA is usually still lower - compare per line before choosing.

Back-to-back without the original C/O

A back-to-back C/O must reference a valid original; missing the original at audit means reassessment under Decree 169/2026/NĐ-CP.

Frequently asked questions about RCEP

How does RCEP differ from the existing ASEAN+ FTAs?
RCEP merges 15 countries into a single origin rulebook with bloc-wide cumulation and back-to-back C/Os - optimal for multi-source supply chains. In exchange, many lines cut less deeply than the narrower FTAs, and rates differentiate by country.
Are RCEP rates the same for every member?
No. Vietnam applies different RCEP rates by country of origin (e.g. Chinese vs Japanese/Korean goods on some lines). Decree 129/2022/NĐ-CP sets separate annexes; Decree 84/2023/NĐ-CP added Myanmar and the Philippines.
When is a back-to-back RCEP C/O used?
When cargo is split/re-exported through an intermediate member country: that country’s authority issues a back-to-back C/O based on the original, preserving the original origin for each sub-consignment.
Where do I look up 2026 RCEP rates?
Decree 129/2022/NĐ-CP (and 84/2023/NĐ-CP) - look up your HS code on Avenir’s tool; the RCEP row shows next to the other FTAs for comparison.

Other agreements