The economic and trade relationship between Australia and New Zealand is shaped by the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA), which came into effect on 1 January 1983. It covers almost all aspects of the Australia - New Zealand trade and economic relationship. ANZCERTA created one of the world's most open and successful free trade agreements. Based on trade in goods and services, New Zealand is now Australia's fifth largest market, taking 5,9 per cent of our exports and is the eighth largest source of imports for Australia.
Main Australian merchandise exports to New Zealand (total value of $9,4 billion) included passenger motor vehicles, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, computers and medicaments.
Australian made products, with over 50 per cent Australian content, are not subject to tariffs. According to the Australian New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, Australian products receive preferential tariff treatment.
Import licenses are no longer required to import goods into New Zealand. There are no import restrictions or barriers to imports for purely trade-related reasons. Nevertheless, there are strict health, content, safety and origin-labeling rules, and stringent restrictions relating to animal and plant health requirements.
Labeling and packaging
Country of origin must be indicated on imports of footwear, clothing and dry-cell batteries. Labeling for alcoholic beverages must indicate on the principal display panel a statement of the approximate alcoholic content. All foodstuffs are subject to ANZFA regulations. Some foodstuffs are subject to additional health and food safety requirements, administered by Public Health. Special requirements govern the marking and labeling of chemicals, poisons and drugs. Packing is subject to few legislative requirements. It is prohibited the use for packing soil, peat, raw, green or contaminated moss, used bags, sacks, hay, straw or chaff, hessian and sacking material. Wooden packing materials must be completely free from bark and from visible signs of infection and must be accompanied by documents stating this.
Special requirements
Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, animals, feedstuffs, foodstuffs, forest products, seeds, nursery stock, pest-control products, fertilizers, inflammable products, electrical equipment, explosives and other specified products are subject to inspection requirements and certification.
Alcoholic beverages require a customs certificate of age. A minimum three years in wood is required for whisky and brandy. Certificate of disinfection or sterilization must accompany flock or second-hand clothing.
Documentary requirements
Australian exporters are strongly advised to airmail the required documents to the consignee as soon as goods are shipped.
The commercial invoice must indicate:
• country of origin;
• a complete description of the goods;
• country of purchase;
• all marks and numbers;
• an indication of the good's quantity;
• a declaration that no prohibited packing materials have been used;
• the FOB price (Incoterms 1990) including all discounts, commissions, packaging costs, inland freight costs, terms of delivery and insurance costs;
• a signed declaration as to date of shipment may be included in the invoice or NZ forms 4 and 5 may be used.
Currently Australian goods do not require certificate of origin. An indication of origin on the accompanying invoice is adequate notification. There are no special requirements to bill of lading.
Foodstuffs are subject to strict controls on composition, hygiene, preservatives, marking, labelling and use of coloring matter. An “At Risk list” of foods has been created by local health authorities with products subject to regular inspection. Some products can by-pass inspection if accompanied by a manufacturer's declaration that goods are Australian made. | 
