2022-05-07-亚开行-区域全面经济伙伴关系产品原产地规则分析（英）_48页_1mb

AN ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCT-SPECIFIC RULES OF ORIGIN OF THE REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Background and Objectives

• Context: Over 30 FTAs in Asia-Pacific region, including ASEAN+1 and bilateral FTAs, create a complex patchwork of rules of origin (RoO).
• RCEP Role: Aims to unify RoO through its wide membership (15 economies), cumulation provisions, and common rules.
• Scope: Compares RCEP with ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
• Methodology: Analyzes 15,000+ PSRO using innovative coding based on manufacturing requirements to assess stringency/leniency.
• Goal: Identify convergence opportunities and propose policies to simplify PSRO across Asia-Pacific.

Key Findings

1. RCEP Improvements:

   • Initially unified cumulation and regional value content (RVC) while learning from previous FTAs.
   • Codifies RVC-formula and includes efficient deductions (e.g., freight/insurance costs).

2. Convergence with Benchmarks (ATIGA and CPTPP):

   • The three FTAs (RCEP, ATIGA, CPTPP) show significant convergence in PSRO for 769 HS subheadings and partial convergence for many others.
   • ATIGA is primarily CTH/RVC40 default, making it more lenient.
   • RCEP and CPTPP are stricter in many subheadings, especially in non-textile sectors.

3. PSRO Forms:

   • Common forms include: Change-of-Chapter (CC), Change-of-Heading-of-Classification (CTH), Change-of-Tariff-Sub-Heading (CTSH), and Regional-Value-Content (RVC40).
   • RCEP uses PSRO at the HS chapter level sometimes (unlike ATIGA and CPTPP), which increases the number of PSRO.

4. Stringency/Leniency Assessment:

   • ATIGA generally more lenient (2,468 agreeable PSRO).
   • CPTPP is the most restrictive, especially in the apparel and footwear sectors (conformity requires multiple manufacturing steps).
   • A matrix shows varying levels of convergence and divergence between RCEP, ATIGA, and CPTPP.

5. Industry-Specific Outcomes:

   • Textiles, footwear, and chemicals showed varying levels of flexibility or restrictions, often tied to regional trade and tariff structures.
   • Intra-RCEP trade volumes match divergent PSRO, especially agricultural imports.

Policy Recommendations

• Simple RoO for Inclusiveness: Advocate for simpler, more uniform rules of origin to reduce the “noodle bowl” effect.
• Building on RCEP’s Built-in Agenda: Support ongoing review mechanisms to tighten RoO in a cumulative way.
• Codify Findings for Roadmaps: Create convergence roadmaps in RCEP and align other FTAs (WCO, WTO) to simplify PSRO.
• Dedicate Administrative Reforms: Urge streamlining of proof-of-origin and customs procedures to reduce trade costs.
• Future Research: Expand analysis to other FTAs and explore optimal value-content thresholds.

Conclusion

RCEP improves trade rules of origin over existing FTAs but still lacks in simplification. Greater convergence and fewer administrative barriers among RCEP-like FTAs will enhance their utility and ensure Asia-Pacific trade policies are efficient and inclusive.