New Zealand could face a 12.5% tariff in US crackdown on forced-labour imports
New Zealand's government has confirmed that some of the country's export categories could face a 12.5% additional tariff under Washington's new directive against forced-labour imports. Dairy, meat and wine sectors top the list of clearest exposures.
RNZ Business · Soumya Bhamidipati, Paris IbellNew Zealand's Ministry for Trade and Export Growth said in a notice published in Wellington on Wednesday that Washington's new directive on tariffs for 'goods with forced-labour input', published in the federal register on Monday, could impose a 12.5% additional duty on some New Zealand export categories. The ministry said the list would be defined after a 'typology-filtered' audit process.
Preliminary assessment shows the dairy, meat, shellfish and wine sectors could be most extensively affected; these four categories accounted for NZ$9.2 billion ($5.3 billion) of US exports in 2025. The ministry said that some farm supply chains could secure 'full or partial exemption' from the tariff because of third-country labour-source audits added over the past three years. UK Department for International Trade analyst Sarah Bayliss told RNZ: 'New Zealand starts well placed thanks to good compliance data, but the process is meticulous, not quick.'
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) will host workshops to brief exporters on technical consultations held with the US over the past week. A spokesperson for the country's Dairy Industry Federation said member firms were ready to submit audit data to US Customs and Border Protection. The US directive comes into force on 30 June; the New Zealand government expects the customs guidance document to be published by mid-June. This article is not investment advice.
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