Is RCEP better than CEPA or other trade agreements for a given shipment?

It depends on the destination market: RCEP covers Asia-Pacific members, the VN-UAE CEPA covers the UAE, and other FTAs may offer deeper cuts on specific lines. Compare preferential rates and origin requirements per agreement for your HS code.

RCEP for Importers: How Asian Buyers Save on Tariffs When Sourcing from Vietnam

Q: Which countries are in RCEP?

Fifteen countries: the ten ASEAN members including Vietnam, plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement has been in force since January 1, 2022.

Date: July 19, 2026 | Category: Trade Policy & Market Opportunities

If you import from Vietnam into Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand or ASEAN, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) gives you progressively reduced or zero tariffs on most goods — provided the products meet RCEP rules of origin (generally 40% regional value content) and ship with an RCEP certificate of origin. Because RCEP allows cumulation across all 15 member countries, Vietnamese-made goods can count inputs from other members toward origin — a structural advantage for OEM products with regional supply chains. Here is how importers put RCEP to work when sourcing from Vietnam.

RCEP at a Glance

Item	Detail
Members	15 countries: 10 ASEAN states (including Vietnam) + China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand
In force	Since January 1, 2022 (entry dates vary slightly by member)
Tariff commitments	Progressive reduction or elimination on roughly 90% of goods over the implementation schedules
Rules of Origin	Single rulebook for all members — typically 40% regional value content or tariff classification change
Cumulation	Inputs from any RCEP member count toward originating status
Certificate of Origin	Form RCEP issued by authorised bodies, or approved-exporter self-declaration

Why Cumulation Makes Vietnam an RCEP Winner

Vietnamese OEM production often uses inputs from across Asia — packaging from China, machinery components from South Korea, ingredients from ASEAN neighbours. Under many bilateral agreements those inputs count against origin. Under RCEP they count toward it, because all major supply chain partners sit inside the same agreement. For a Japanese or Korean buyer, this means Vietnamese goods that might fail origin tests under older agreements can qualify for RCEP preference — with one certificate format recognised across the region. The WTO’s regional trade agreements database tracks the full network of agreements Vietnam participates in.

Product Angles for RCEP Buyers Sourcing from Vietnam

Tea and coffee: Japanese and Korean private-label brands sourcing Vietnamese oolong tea or Robusta coffee benefit from reduced agricultural tariffs versus non-RCEP origins.
Coconut and processed foods: Buyers across China, Japan and ASEAN importing Vietnamese coconut products gain progressive duty reductions on processed formats.
Wooden kitchenware and houseware: Australian and Japanese retailers sourcing Vietnamese wooden kitchenware combine RCEP preference with FSC-certified sustainable sourcing.
Eco packaging: Regional F&B chains standardise on Vietnamese compostable packaging with RCEP rates and short shipping lanes.

How to Claim RCEP Preference: 4 Steps

1. Check your product’s staging schedule in the destination country — RCEP tariff cuts phase in on different timelines per member and per HS line.
2. Confirm origin qualification with your Vietnamese supplier: 40% regional value content (with cumulation) or the applicable tariff-shift rule. Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade oversees origin regulations on the Vietnamese side.
3. Obtain the Form RCEP certificate of origin from the authorised issuing body — or, where available, an approved-exporter self-declaration from the supplier.
4. Claim preference at import and keep the origin file: certificates, supplier declarations, and production records for post-clearance audits.

Sourcing for the Middle East instead? Vietnam’s newest agreement matters more there: see our guide to the VN–UAE CEPA for Gulf importers. US-bound buyers should read the US tariffs and landed cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions: RCEP and Vietnam Sourcing

Which countries are in RCEP?
Fifteen: the ten ASEAN members (including Vietnam) plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement has been in force since January 1, 2022.

How much can importers save under RCEP?
Savings depend on the destination country’s staging schedule and your HS line — RCEP progressively reduces or eliminates tariffs on roughly 90% of goods over its implementation period. Check the current phased rate for your product and market before quoting.

What are RCEP rules of origin for Vietnamese goods?
The general rule is 40% regional value content or a specified tariff classification change — with cumulation, meaning inputs from any of the 15 member countries count toward originating status.

What certificate do I need to claim RCEP rates?
A Form RCEP certificate of origin issued by an authorised body in Vietnam, or an approved-exporter self-declaration where the destination country accepts it. Keep supporting production records for post-clearance verification.

Is RCEP better than CEPA or other agreements for my shipment?
It depends on the destination: RCEP covers Asia-Pacific members, while the VN–UAE CEPA covers the UAE, and other FTAs (such as CPTPP or EVFTA) may offer deeper cuts on specific lines. Compare the preferential rate and origin requirements per agreement for your HS code, and use the one that yields the lowest landed cost.

Ready to source RCEP-qualified products from Vietnam with the right origin paperwork? Contact Viet Farm Vision with your product and destination market →