RCEP · 15 economies

RCEP certificate of origin generator

Build an RCEP draft Certificate of Origin. The PDF is suitable for CCPIT submission and for buyer-side reference. RCEP gives 15-member cumulation that is more permissive than bilateral FTAs.

Last updated 2026-05-09. Math runs in your browser, no data leaves your computer.

General guidance only, not legal or professional engineering advice. Verify against the cited primary sources (IMDG, REACH, ChAFTA, RCEP, Customs Tariff Act, supplier SDS, etc.) before committing to a shipment, declaration, or contract. Sourzi assumes no liability for outcomes based on these calculators.

RCEP gives 0 to reduced tariff at any RCEP-member destination, with 40% RVC default. Compare against ChAFTA / ACFTA before picking; whichever gives lower destination duty wins.

Parties

Routing

Goods (with origin criterion)

Origin criteria: WO, PE, CTH, CTSH, RVC40, PSR (process rule). Cumulation across all 15 RCEP members is allowed.

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RCEP, the 15-economy preferential block

RCEP entered force 1 January 2022 and covers 15 Asia-Pacific economies: 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. India was an original signatory but withdrew before final entry into force; India is not an RCEP member as of 2026. By GDP, RCEP is the largest FTA in the world; for chemical exports out of China, it covers most of the major export destinations.

The single regional value content threshold of 40 percent applies uniformly across most HS codes, computed via the build-up method: RVC = (FOB - VNM) / FOB times 100, where VNM is the value of non-originating materials. For HS codes where the PSR table specifies a different rule, that rule applies (typically CTC at heading or sub-heading level, or a process rule for petrochemicals).

Cumulation under RCEP is the headline feature for many chemical buyers. Materials sourced from any of the 15 RCEP members count toward the originating-content total, not just from the exporter country. So a Chinese supplier of a chemical intermediate that uses Japanese precursors, Korean catalysts, and Thai solvents can count all of those as originating; the cumulated content easily clears 40% RVC. Bilateral FTAs like ChAFTA only allow cumulation between China and Australia; RCEP lets the supplier cumulate across all 15.

For chemical exports to Japan, Korea, New Zealand, or any RCEP-member ASEAN country, RCEP is often the only preferential route. To Australia, RCEP and ChAFTA both apply; ChAFTA usually has more 0% lines for chemicals, so ChAFTA is the default. To non-RCEP countries (US, EU, Brazil, India, Africa), neither RCEP nor any bilateral FTA applies; the exporter ships at MFN rates.

Worked example. Caustic soda to Yokohama under RCEP

The booking. A Shandong supplier ships 25 tonnes of caustic soda 50% solution (HS 281512) to a buyer in Yokohama, Japan. Japan MFN tariff for HS 281512 is 3.9%; RCEP preference for this lane phases to 0% over the agreement schedule. Per shipment duty saving on 35,500 USD cargo value at the current RCEP rate is ~1,400 USD.

The work. Supplier looks up rule for HS 281512 under RCEP: CTSH or RVC40. Caustic soda is synthesised in China from rock salt and electricity; both are originating; RVC well above 40%. Origin criterion CTSH satisfied automatically. Supplier prepares Form RCEP draft, submits to CCPIT, receives stamped certificate within 1 to 2 business days. Japan customs accepts and applies RCEP preferential rate. Annual saving across 12 shipments per year: roughly 16,800 USD versus the MFN baseline.

Frequently asked

What is RCEP and why does it matter for chemical exports?

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership entered force 1 January 2022 across 15 Asia-Pacific economies (10 ASEAN + China + Japan + South Korea + Australia + New Zealand). It is the world largest FTA by GDP. RCEP overlaps with ChAFTA, ACFTA, and several bilateral agreements; for many cargoes, the exporter has a choice of FTA preference.

When should I use RCEP vs ChAFTA / ACFTA?

When the cargo flow is between an RCEP member that has no other FTA with China, RCEP is the only path. When ChAFTA (Australia) or ACFTA (ASEAN) also covers the flow, compare the duty rates: usually ChAFTA and ACFTA give 0% on more chemical lines than RCEP, but for some lines RCEP rules of origin are easier to satisfy. Choose the certificate that gives lower duty AND has the simpler origin determination.

How are RCEP rules of origin different?

RCEP introduced a single regional value content threshold of 40% RVC applied uniformly across most HS codes, computed via the build-up method. Some HS codes use change-in-tariff-classification or a process rule. Crucially, RCEP allows cumulation across all 15 member economies: materials sourced from any RCEP member count toward the originating-content total. This is more permissive than ChAFTA bilateral cumulation.

What does "back-to-back CO" mean under RCEP?

A back-to-back CO is a re-issued certificate when goods transit an intermediate RCEP country before reaching the final consignee in another RCEP country. The intermediate country issuing authority (e.g. Singapore) issues a back-to-back CO referencing the original CO from the country of origin (e.g. China). The back-to-back CO preserves preferential treatment without retransiting the cargo through China for re-certification.

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