Ten years of China Australia Free Trade Agreement, Fujian enterprises ride the waves and share the benefits of opening up

On December 20, 2015, the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Australia officially came into effect. Over the past decade, this free trade agreement has continued to inject strong momentum into the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and has also brought unprecedented opportunities for Fujian enterprises. According to statistics from Fuzhou Customs, from 2015 to 2025, the value of goods imported from Australia by Fuzhou Customs District was 16.2 billion yuan, achieving a tax reduction of 1.1 billion yuan. More than 60000 certificates of origin have been issued under the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, with an export visa value of 22.6 billion yuan.

Over the past decade, the China Australia Free Trade Agreement has effectively reduced bilateral trade tax burden costs, stimulated market vitality, and promoted complementary cooperation between Fujian and Australia in multiple fields such as energy, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.

According to the agreement, the vast majority of goods imported by China from Australia have achieved zero tariffs, allowing high-quality Australian products to enter the Chinese market at lower costs, benefiting domestic industries and consumers. Taking coal products as an example, since 2024, the value of imported coal products from Australia in Fuzhou Customs District has reached 9.3 billion yuan, with tax reductions exceeding 600 million yuan, providing strong support for the development of domestic power and steel industries. While benefiting from industrial production, the livelihood security of the people in Fujian also benefits. Fujian Haizhong Fresh Trading Co., Ltd. introduced that since 2024, the company has imported approximately 7.42 million yuan worth of Southeast Asian dogtooth fish and frozen horse noodle fish. Through the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, the company has enjoyed tariff reductions and saved 6.13 million yuan in taxes, truly feeling the dividends brought by the China Australia Free Trade Agreement.

In terms of exports, Fujian enterprises have deeply integrated "Made in Fujian" and "Fujian Wisdom" into the bilateral economic and trade exchanges between China and Australia with the spirit of "daring to explore and try". Fuzhou Aocheng Industrial Co., Ltd., as a company specializing in the production of safety glass and supporting hardware products, has become a direct beneficiary of this policy dividend. Taking the swimming pool fence glass exported by the company as an example, the import tariff rate in Australia has been reduced from 5% to zero, directly enhancing product competitiveness and driving continuous growth in customer orders. By 2025, the company has applied for a total of 144 certificates of origin under the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, with a value of over 70 million yuan for exported goods.

In order to ensure that enterprises can fully and conveniently utilize the preferential policies of the agreement, Fuzhou Customs fully plays the role of "enterprise escort", continues to promote the construction of "smart customs", comprehensively promotes the "intelligent audit+self-service printing" mode of certificates of origin, and realizes the "instant issuance" of certificates of origin for enterprises without leaving their homes. At the same time, we actively carry out "one-on-one" policy guidance, special training and other activities, accurately interpret the rules of origin for tariff reduction and transfer, and provide customized guidance for key enterprises and characteristic industries to enjoy benefits. Fuzhou Customs also actively cultivates approved exporters and promotes trade facilitation to a higher level.

The deepening implementation of the China Australia Free Trade Agreement has opened up broader development space for Fujian enterprises. Through precise services and process optimization, we help enterprises maximize the use of the agreement's terms, effectively reduce trade costs, and enhance international competitiveness, "said the person in charge of the Customs Tariff Department of Fuzhou Customs.

With the deepening of regional economic integration and the further release of agreement effectiveness, the potential for bilateral trade between China and Australia will continue to be unleashed. Fuzhou Customs will continue to support Fujian enterprises in seizing opportunities, enhancing product competitiveness and innovation capabilities, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results in a more open pattern, and promoting China Australia economic and trade cooperation towards higher quality and higher level. (Su Huifang, Wu Jinjin, Ma Bo/Wen)