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Exports

The Cook Islands has a small size economy, which is the result of the country's isolation from foreign markets, poor natural resources and frequent natural disasters. The major industries of the island are tourism, food processing and fishing. Manufacturing activities are limited to the processing of fruit, clothing and handicrafts.

Tourism represents the most important economic sector, accounting for about 67.5% of the Cook Islands GDP. Agriculture is also an important part of the country's economy, as it employs about 1\3 of the people. The main cultivated crops include tomatoes, yams, beans, bananas, pineapples, citrus fruits,  pawpaws and coffee. The government is working to expand its agriculture, mining and fishing sectors, as well as encourage offshore banking and tourism. 

The Cook Islands is the world's 197th largest exporter. It should be noticed that cultured pearls are among the largest exported commodities, accounting for most of the Cook Islands exports. Other exports include boats, clothes, fresh fruits, canned fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood and coffee. The top export partners of the Cook Islands are Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, Japan, China, Turkey and South Africa.

Customs requirements of Cook Islands

Cook Islands Customs Contacts

Website: http://www.customs.govt.nz/Pages/default.aspx 

Email: customs.support@cookislands.gov.ck  

Address: Cook Islands Customs Service/ Revenue Management Division, P O Box 120, Rarotonga

Telephone: +682 29365 

The Cook Islands is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. The Cook Islands' defense and foreign affairs are the responsibility of New Zealand, but they are exercised in consultation with the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is a member of the WHO and an associate member of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Tariffs

With few exceptions, imports are subject to the 15 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) and is payable at the time of entry. Duty assessment is based on free on board (FOB) value, country of origin and classification of goods.

Product certification, labelling and packaging

Import licenses are not required to import goods into New Zealand and import restrictions or barriers are not imposes to imports for purely trade-related reasons. Although, there are strict health, content, safety and origin labelling rules and stringent restrictions relating to animal and plant health requirements. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) certification is required for endangered plant and animal species and products. Animal remedies and pesticides must be licensed by the New Zealand Animal Remedies Board or the Agricultural Chemicals Board. Animal and Plant products including nursery stock, live animals and food are subject to import health standards issued by Ministry for Primary Industries. A wide range of products are prohibited under biosecurity regulations, while special import requirements apply to weapons and dangerous substances such as chlorofluorocarbons.

Most labels carry the following information: date marking, name or description of the food, name and address of the business, warning and advisory statement, ingredients list, percentage labelling, nutrition information panel, use and storage directions.

Import and export documents

Documents needed for import:

- an airwaybill or bill of lading

- commercial invoices

- packing lists

- insurance certificates. 

Clearance via the internet is possible by filling the Online Customs Entry Declaration on the official customs website https://customs.gov.ck/web-bms/pages/login.xhtml  

More detailed information about tariffs applied on goods can be found here:

http://www.customs.govt.nz/incommercial/importcharges/dutiesandcharges/Pages/default.aspx  

Sources:

http://www.mfem.gov.ck/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=35&Itemid=58  

http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/charges/Pages/default.aspx 

http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/prohibited/exports/Pages/default.aspx