Dubai: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand comes into effect as of August 28, 2025. According to Dubai Customs, based on a letter from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security dated August 5 regarding the implementation of the agreement, the provisions will start applying from August 28. The UAE and New Zealand signed the agreement during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to the UAE on January 14. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister of Trade, described the CEPA as a historic achievement reflecting the commitment of both countries to enhance economic and trade relations. He noted it as the fastest negotiated agreement in New Zealand’s history and one of the most comprehensive and high-quality agreements. The agreement will remove trade barriers, stimulate investments, and strengthen ties between the peoples.

Imports from the UAE to New Zealand will enjoy 100% tariff exemption, while New Zealand products will receive 98.5% tariff exemption in the UAE, rising to 99% within three years. The agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade to five billion dollars by 2032, tripling the trade volume recorded between 2019 and 2023. This CEPA is New Zealand’s first trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country and one of the broadest agreements signed by the UAE, covering local trade, sustainable development, women’s economic empowerment, and transparency. The UAE’s CEPA program is a key pillar of the country’s growth strategy, aiming to raise total trade value to one trillion dollars and double the broader economy to exceed 800 billion dollars by 2031.