UK businesses can now access the full benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) across all member countries, following the agreement’s entry into force between the UK and Canada on 1 September 2026.
The UK officially joined CPTPP in December 2024, with the agreement gradually entering into force with individual member countries as they completed their ratification processes.
Canada was the final country to ratify the UK’s accession, meaning that from 1 September 2026, UK businesses can now trade under CPTPP arrangements with all 11 other members.
For UK importers and exporters, the milestone opens further opportunities to benefit from preferential tariffs and more flexible trading arrangements – but businesses still need to check whether their individual goods qualify.
Which Countries Are Included in CPTPP?
The UK can now access CPTPP provisions when trading with:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Singapore
- Vietnam
Together with the UK, the economies covered by the agreement are worth almost £13 trillion in combined GDP, according to the UK Government.
What Does CPTPP Mean for Importers and Exporters?
One of the main benefits of CPTPP is the potential for businesses to access reduced or zero tariffs on qualifying goods traded between member countries.
However, membership does not mean that every shipment automatically qualifies for duty-free treatment.
The applicable tariff depends on factors including the individual product, commodity classification, country of import and whether the goods satisfy the relevant rules of origin.
Businesses should therefore check the requirements for their goods before claiming CPTPP preferential treatment.
Understanding the Rules of Origin
Rules of origin are particularly important when using a free trade agreement.
They determine a product’s economic nationality or origin and whether it qualifies for preferential tariff treatment.
This isn’t necessarily the same as the country the goods are being shipped from. Instead, the rules consider where goods have been produced or manufactured and, for some products, where materials or components originated.
CPTPP uses a common set of rules of origin across its members and includes cumulation provisions.
This can potentially make it easier for some businesses with international supply chains to qualify for preferential treatment. For example, qualifying materials originating in another CPTPP country may be able to count towards the origin requirements of a finished product.
The exact rules vary by product, so businesses should always check the commodity-specific requirements.
What Changes with Canada from 1 September?
Canada is an important new development. Canada ratified the UK’s CPTPP Accession Protocol on 3 July 2026, with the agreement entering into force between the two countries on 1 September 2026.
This means businesses trading between the UK and Canada can now consider whether CPTPP provides a suitable route for preferential treatment alongside the existing UK–Canada Trade Continuity Agreement.
The existing UK–Canada agreement remains in effect, so businesses should not assume CPTPP will automatically be the best option for every product or shipment.
Depending on the goods involved, one agreement may offer a more suitable tariff treatment or rules of origin than the other.
Check Before Claiming Preferential Duty
For importers and exporters, the important takeaway is to check rather than assume.
Before using CPTPP preferential treatment, businesses should establish:
- The correct commodity code for their goods
- Whether a preferential CPTPP tariff is available
- The product-specific rules of origin
- Whether the goods meet those origin requirements
- What proof of origin is required
- Whether another existing UK trade agreement offers more suitable treatment
HMRC guidance sets out the steps businesses should follow when claiming preferential rates, including checking the relevant trade agreement, establishing origin, obtaining the appropriate proof and retaining supporting records.
What Does This Mean for UK Trade?
The UK Government estimates CPTPP membership could add around £2 billion a year to the UK economy in the long term.
For businesses moving goods, however, the practical opportunity lies in understanding how the agreement applies to individual supply chains.
With CPTPP now in force between the UK and every existing member, importers and exporters trading across Asia-Pacific and the Americas have another potential route to reduce duty costs and improve access to international markets.
If you import from or export to a CPTPP country, Beckchoice can help with your freight movements and customs clearance requirements.
Speak to our team to discuss your upcoming shipments.
References
UK Government – UK secures full access to £13 trillion CPTPP trading bloc
Read the UK Government announcement
UK Government – The UK and the CPTPP
UK Government CPTPP guidance
HMRC – Guidance for preferential rates of duty and rules of origin
HMRC preferential duty and rules of origin guidance
UK Government – CPTPP sector explainers
Includes guidance on CPTPP rules of origin and cumulation.
CPTPP sector guidance
Government of Canada – Canada–United Kingdom relations
Government of Canada CPTPP information
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and should not be considered customs, legal or tax advice. Eligibility for preferential tariff treatment under CPTPP depends on the goods, commodity classification, origin and applicable rules. Businesses should check the relevant requirements for individual shipments before claiming preferential treatment.