TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Certificate of Origin and Export Documentation Services
New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and Industry | CHAMBERDOCS PLATFORM
Chamberdocs.co.nz | Version: 1 | Last updated: 28/05/2026
1. Parties and Definitions
1.1 Parties
These Terms and Conditions are entered into between the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and Industry (NZCCI), being the recognised authorised body for the purposes of registration of exporters and the issuing of Certificates of Origin and other export documentation (the CHAMBER), and the registered exporter accessing the PLATFORM (the EXPORTER).
These Terms and Conditions apply to all entities acting as an issuing body under the authority of NZCCI.
1.2 Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following terms have the meanings set out below:
AGENT means any freight forwarder, customs broker, or other person or entity authorised by the EXPORTER to act on its behalf in connection with any application, submission, or request made to the Chamber. Any action taken, or information provided, by an AGENT in connection with the Chamber's services is deemed to have been taken or provided by the EXPORTER, and the EXPORTER accepts full responsibility for all such actions and information as if it had acted directly.
CHAMBER means NZCCI and any regional Chamber of Commerce acting as an issuing body under the authority of NZCCI.
CHAMBER DOCS or PLATFORM means the online system operated at chamberdocs.co.nz through which the
EXPORTER, or an AGENT acting on the EXPORTER's behalf, applies for and receives export documentation services. EXPORTER means the company, organisation, or entity registered on the PLATFORM, and includes any person accessing the PLATFORM using the EXPORTER's login credentials, and any AGENT acting on the EXPORTER's behalf.
GOODS means any products or items registered, or to be registered, by the EXPORTER for export documentation services, as described in the EXPORTER's registration documents.
SCHEDULE means the Schedule of Recognised FTA Regimes appended to these Terms and Conditions, as updated from time to time in accordance with Section 23.
SIGNATORIES means the authorised signatories nominated by the EXPORTER in the Authorised Signatories
document submitted to the Chamber.
2. Acceptance of Terms
Every registered EXPORTER accessing the PLATFORM agrees to and is bound by these Terms and Conditions. By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the person accepting confirms that they are a duly authorised officer or representative of the EXPORTER, authorised to bind the EXPORTER to these terms.
Where the EXPORTER has submitted an Authorised Signatories document to the CHAMBER, the primary authorised signatory named therein accepts full responsibility for all documentation submitted to the CHAMBER on behalf of the EXPORTER, whether submitted by that signatory or by any other person.
The EXPORTER acknowledges and agrees that
The EXPORTER agrees to notify the CHAMBER immediately in writing if the EXPORTER becomes aware of any unauthorised use of its account or credentials, or if any person who was previously authorised to use the EXPORTER's account or credentials is no longer so authorised.
3. Electronic Communications and Digital Execution
The EXPORTER agrees and acknowledges that:
4. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The EXPORTER agrees to accept and be bound by all laws and regulations that apply to any Certificate of Origin or other document applied for or issued under these Terms and Conditions, and by any terms and conditions that the CHAMBER or NZCCI has in place from time to time in relation to the issuing of Certificates of Origin and other export documentation.
This obligation is ongoing and applies to all laws, regulations, and CHAMBER requirements as amended or introduced from time to time throughout the period of the EXPORTER's registration.
5. Export Controls and Sanctions Compliance
The EXPORTER is solely responsible for ensuring that all goods exported, and all export transactions conducted, comply with all applicable export control laws, sanctions regimes, and any laws or regulations governing prohibited or restricted goods, whether imposed by New Zealand or any other applicable jurisdiction.
This obligation applies regardless of whether an FTA is involved and is independent of, and not limited by, the FTA compliance obligations set out elsewhere in these Terms and Conditions.
The CHAMBER's issuance, certification, or attestation of any Certificate of Origin or other document does not constitute approval, endorsement, or verification of the legality of any export transaction. The EXPORTER must not represent or imply to any person that a CHAMBER-issued document constitutes such approval or endorsement.
6. Accuracy of Information
The EXPORTER declares that all information provided to the Chamber in connection with any application, registration, correspondence, or request for any service (including but not limited to applications for Certificates of Origin, goods registrations, supporting documentation, attestation requests, and any other communication made to the Chamber) will be true, correct, accurate, and complete in all respects at all times.
This obligation applies to all information provided to the CHAMBER regardless of the nature of the service requested, the document type involved, or the trade regime under which the service is sought. The EXPORTER acknowledges that the CHAMBER relies on this declaration as a condition of providing any service.
7. CHAMBER's Reliance on Information Provided
The EXPORTER specifically acknowledges and agrees that the CHAMBER is relying solely on the information provided by the EXPORTER in issuing any Certificate of Origin, attesting or certifying any document, or providing any other service.
8. No Legal or Customs Advice
The CHAMBER does not provide legal, customs, tariff, trade compliance, or rules of origin advice. Any guidance, information, or assistance provided by the CHAMBER or its staff in connection with any application, registration, or service is general information only and must not be relied upon as professional or legal advice.
The EXPORTER is solely responsible for obtaining its own independent advice and for determining its eligibility and compliance under any applicable law, regulation, or Free Trade Agreement. The CHAMBER accepts no responsibility for any decision made, or action taken or not taken, by the EXPORTER in reliance on any information or assistance provided by the CHAMBER or its staff.
9. Right to Decline to Issue
Notwithstanding the CHAMBER's obligations as an authorised issuing body, the CHAMBER may decline to issue, certify, attest, or process any application or document where:
The CHAMBER will notify the EXPORTER of the reason for any such refusal. A refusal under this clause does not constitute a breach of these Terms and Conditions.
10. Indemnity
10.1 General Indemnity
The EXPORTER will at all times keep the CHAMBER, NZCCI, and their respective officials indemnified against any claims or demands whatsoever which may at any time be made against them, or any of them, by reason of any fault, defect, omission, or inaccuracy in the content of any Certificate of Origin or other document issued or certified by the CHAMBER, or in the manner of their issue or certification, this indemnity being subject to all statutory provisions to the contrary.
10.2 Extended Indemnity — Third-Party Claims
In consideration of the CHAMBER issuing, certifying, or attesting any Certificate of Origin or other document on the basis of information provided by the EXPORTER, the EXPORTER covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the CHAMBER, NZCCI, their agents, servants, employees, principals, officers, directors, parent corporations, holding companies, successors, and predecessors, from and against any and all claims and demands made by or on behalf of any party receiving or relying on any such Certificate of Origin or other document, including any and all costs, expenses, and legal fees (on a solicitor-client basis, whether before or after legal proceedings, if any, are commenced) incurred by reason of any such claims, demands, or causes of action arising from and by reason of the aforementioned certification or attestation by the CHAMBER.
10.3 Release — EXPORTER's Own Claims
The EXPORTER confirms and acknowledges that, in applying for any service provided by the CHAMBER, the EXPORTER has conducted its own investigation and enquiries and undertaken its own due diligence in relation to those goods, documents, or services, and has not relied on any representation or statement made or implied by the CHAMBER or NZCCI.
The EXPORTER acknowledges that a misleading, misrepresentative, or fraudulent statement in relation to any goods or documents may be subject to a penalty, fine, or other administrative order, and the EXPORTER releases and holds harmless the CHAMBER and NZCCI (and each of their respective officers, employees, and contractors) from and against any claim, demand, or proceeding (actual or threatened) and any loss, damage, or expense incurred or suffered by the EXPORTER — including any loss of profits, economic loss, consequential loss or damage, and any loss or damage arising from the refusal of any authority in any country to grant any concession or reduction in tariff or customs duties — as a result of any goods failing to satisfy applicable rules of origin or the EXPORTER breaching any of its obligations under these Terms and Conditions, whether arising under these Terms and Conditions, any applicable Free Trade Agreement, or any regulation, practice note, or law of New Zealand in force from time to time.
11. Limitation of Liability
11.1 Third-Party and External System Exclusion
The CHAMBER and NZCCI accept no liability for any loss, delay, penalty, cost, or other consequence of any kind arising from the acts, omissions, errors, or system failures of any third party involved in the processing, transmission, receipt, or handling of any documentation — including but not limited to customs authorities, government authorities, foreign regulatory bodies, New Zealand government agencies, and any connecting, integrating, or intermediary systems.
This exclusion applies whether or not the CHAMBER has been involved in initiating or facilitating the relevant process, and regardless of whether the third party's failure occurs before, during, or after the CHAMBER's performance of its obligations.
11.2 Exclusion of Consequential Loss
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the CHAMBER and NZCCI shall not be liable to the EXPORTER or any other party for any indirect, consequential, special, incidental, or economic loss of any kind, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of business opportunity, loss arising from missed shipments, penalties or duties imposed by any authority, or any downstream commercial loss — regardless of whether such loss arises from the CHAMBER's own acts or omissions, the acts or omissions of a third party, a force majeure event, or any other cause.
Nothing in this section limits the CHAMBER's discretion to offer goodwill remedies in individual cases. The exercise of such discretion does not create any ongoing obligation or precedent.
12. Warranty Disclaimer
The CHAMBER issues Certificates of Origin and other documents in reliance solely on the information provided by the EXPORTER. The EXPORTER acknowledges and agrees that:
13. Attestation, Certification, and Supporting Documentation
The obligations of accuracy, reliance, and indemnity set out in these Terms and Conditions apply in full wherever the CHAMBER is attesting, certifying, or otherwise endorsing any document in the course of providing its services — whether that document is a Certificate of Origin under any trade regime, an origin declaration clause on a commercial invoice or other trade document, a supporting document submitted as part of a Certificate of Origin application, or any other commercial document submitted to the CHAMBER for any purpose. The specific nature or type of the document does not limit the application of these Terms and Conditions.
14. Privacy and Data Protection
14.1 Compliance
The CHAMBER handles all personal and commercial information provided by the EXPORTER in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and any applicable successor legislation.
14.2 Data Collected
The CHAMBER collects information provided by the EXPORTER in the course of registration and use of the PLATFORM, including company details, authorised signatory information, goods descriptions, Harmonised System codes, consignee and shipping information, and any other information provided in connection with any application or request for services.
14.3 Purpose of Use
Information collected by the CHAMBER is used solely for the purposes of providing export documentation services, administering the EXPORTER's account, complying with applicable legal and regulatory obligations, and communicating with the EXPORTER in connection with those services. Information will not be used for any purpose beyond these.
14.4 Sharing of Data
The CHAMBER may share the EXPORTER's information with:
The EXPORTER acknowledges that cross-border sharing of information with the authorities of importing countries may occur as a necessary consequence of the services provided by the CHAMBER, and consents to such sharing.
14.5 Data Security and Retention
The CHAMBER holds information securely and takes reasonable steps to protect it from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access. Information is retained for a minimum of seven years following the conclusion of the EXPORTER's registration or the last transaction, in accordance with applicable customs auditing and regulatory requirements.
14.6 Access and Correction
The EXPORTER may request access to or correction of its information held by the CHAMBER at any time by contacting the CHAMBER in writing.
15. Intellectual Property and PLATFORM Usage
15.1 Ownership
The PLATFORM, its underlying systems and technology, its content, and all outputs generated by it are and remain the property of NZCCI and the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. The EXPORTER acquires no ownership or proprietary rights in or to the PLATFORM, its content, or its outputs by virtue of registering or using the PLATFORM.
15.2 Licence
Subject to these Terms and Conditions, the CHAMBER grants the EXPORTER a limited, non-exclusive, non- transferable licence to access and use the PLATFORM solely for the purpose of applying for and receiving export documentation services from the CHAMBER. This licence does not extend to any use of the PLATFORM or its outputs beyond what is reasonably required for that purpose.
15.3 Restrictions
The EXPORTER must not copy, reproduce, scrape, reverse engineer, or redistribute any part of the PLATFORM, its content, or its system outputs beyond what is reasonably required to use the services. The EXPORTER retains the right to keep its own issued documents for legitimate business, compliance and record-keeping purposes.
15.4 Certificate Integrity
Certificates of Origin and other documents issued or certified by the CHAMBER are official documents. The EXPORTER must not copy, alter, reproduce, or use any such document for any purpose beyond its intended function. The EXPORTER must not present or rely upon any certificate or document that it knows to be inaccurate, superseded, or no longer valid.
Once any certificate or document issued or certified by the CHAMBER has been authenticated or legalised by any subsequent authority — including a notary public, government department, or diplomatic representative — no changes or replacements may be made to that document.
15.5 Replacement Documents
Where a replacement certificate or other document is required, the EXPORTER must:
16. Fees and Payment
Fees are charged per successfully approved and issued certificate or document. No fee is charged for a submission that is not approved and issued. Resubmission of a previously declined application does not in itself constitute a chargeable event; the fee arises upon approval and issuance.
Fee amounts for services are set by the issuing CHAMBER and communicated to the EXPORTER separately. These Terms and Conditions do not specify fee amounts. Billing is administered by the issuing CHAMBER in accordance with its own invoicing arrangements.
There is no contractual entitlement to a refund of fees once a certificate or document has been successfully approved and issued. Any waiver or reduction of fees in individual cases is at the sole discretion of the issuing CHAMBER and does not create any ongoing obligation or precedent.
The CHAMBER may suspend the EXPORTER's access to the PLATFORM or decline to process further applications or requests where any invoice issued by the CHAMBER remains unpaid beyond its due date. Any such suspension does not affect the CHAMBER's right to pursue payment or to exercise any other right under these Terms and Conditions.
17. FTA Goods Registration
This section applies to the registration of GOODS under any Free Trade Agreement listed in the SCHEDULE at the end of these Terms and Conditions.
17.1 Ongoing Accuracy of Registration Information
The EXPORTER agrees and declares to NZCCI, as the recognised authorised body for the purposes of registration of exporters and the issuing of Certificates of Origin under applicable Free Trade Agreements, that the following statements are and will remain true and correct, and that the EXPORTER will immediately notify NZCCI in writing if:
17.2 Application for Registration of GOODS
The EXPORTER hereby applies for registration as an exporter of the GOODS described in the pre-registration documents in respect of the export or proposed export to countries that are party to the applicable Free Trade Agreement, and declares that all information set out in the registration documents is true, correct, and accurate in all respects, and that the GOODS, and each of them, satisfy the requirements of the applicable Free Trade Agreement with respect to the rules of origin set out in the relevant chapter of that agreement as specified in the
SCHEDULE.
17.3 Registration Confirmations
The EXPORTER hereby declares and confirms:
17.4 Compliance with Applicable Free Trade Agreements
The EXPORTER agrees to comply with the entirety of the text of each applicable Free Trade Agreement under which it seeks preferential tariff treatment, and not only those specific articles identified in the SCHEDULE. The articles listed in the SCHEDULE are identified as particular points of attention and compliance, and their listing does not limit or qualify the EXPORTER's obligation to comply with the whole of the applicable Free Trade Agreement.
17.5 Notification of Material Change
If, at any time while the EXPORTER holds registration for GOODS under any Free Trade Agreement, a material change in the basis for registration of those GOODS occurs, the full description of the material change must be provided to NZCCI as soon as practicable and before any Certificate of Origin under that Free Trade Agreement is requested by the EXPORTER in relation to those GOODS.
17.6 Registration Suspension, Alteration, or Termination
If the registration of the EXPORTER, or the registration of any GOODS of the EXPORTER, is suspended, altered, or terminated for any reason, the EXPORTER agrees to notify NZCCI immediately in writing. In such circumstances, the EXPORTER agrees and confirms that it will neither represent nor hold out that it is registered as an exporter of those GOODS, or that NZCCI has authorised its registration for those GOODS or any other GOODS, unless and until NZCCI has so registered the EXPORTER for those GOODS.
17.7 Consequences of Incorrect Applications
If NZCCI establishes that the EXPORTER has submitted more than one incorrect or inaccurate application for a Certificate of Origin in relation to the confirmed registration information, NZCCI will cancel the EXPORTER's registration and withdraw the expedited level of service for all of the EXPORTER's registered GOODS — not only those GOODS to which the incorrect or inaccurate applications relate. NZCCI will notify the New Zealand Customs Service accordingly.
17.8 Reinstatement of GOODS Registration
NZCCI will only reinstate the registration of GOODS for an EXPORTER to which clause 17.7 applies after it has carried out an investigation, determined the causes of the errors or inaccuracies, determined the remedial action required, agreed that action with the EXPORTER, obtained approval from the New Zealand Customs Service for the investigation findings and the proposed remedial action, and the EXPORTER has implemented those remedial actions to NZCCI's satisfaction.
18. FTA Certificate of Origin Submissions
This section applies to all applications for Certificates of Origin submitted by the EXPORTER under any Free Trade Agreement listed in the SCHEDULE.
18.1 Reliance on Information Provided
The EXPORTER acknowledges and agrees that NZCCI, as a recognised authorised body, issues Certificates of Origin under applicable Free Trade Agreements in reliance solely on the information provided by the EXPORTER. The EXPORTER warrants that all information provided in each application for a Certificate of Origin is true, correct, accurate, and complete in all respects at the time of submission.
18.2 Verification Requests and Cooperation
The EXPORTER acknowledges that the customs authorities of importing countries that are party to any applicable Free Trade Agreement may, in accordance with the provisions of that agreement as specified in the SCHEDULE, request verification information from the New Zealand Customs Service, NZCCI, and/or the EXPORTER, and may initiate a verification visit. The EXPORTER agrees to cooperate fully with any such verification process. The specific verification provisions applicable to each recognised Free Trade Agreement are set out in the SCHEDULE.
18.3 Compliance with Applicable Free Trade Agreements
The EXPORTER agrees to comply with the entirety of the text of each applicable Free Trade Agreement under which it submits a Certificate of Origin, and not only those specific articles identified in the SCHEDULE.
18.4 Record Retention and Audit Cooperation
The EXPORTER must retain all records, documents, and information supporting any application, registration, or submission made through the PLATFORM for a minimum of seven years from the date of the relevant application or submission, and must provide any such records to the CHAMBER or NZCCI upon reasonable written request
19. Disclosure to Customs and Statutory Authorities
In the event of requests which stem from a legitimate enquiry from an authorised officer or a person in possession of statutory authority — including the New Zealand Customs Service or officials acting with the authority of the country of import — the EXPORTER hereby permits the CHAMBER or NZCCI to allow direct access, under the power of statutory authoritym to such commercial information as may be required as part of that enquiry. This permission applies in connection with any service provided by the CHAMBER under these Terms and Conditions.
20. Force Majeure
The CHAMBER and NZCCI shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing any obligation under these Terms and Condictions to the extent that such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond the CHAMBER's reasonable control including but not limited to system outages or IT infrastructure failures, cyberattacks or security breaches, natural disasters, panedmic or endemic events, fire, flood, earthquake, acts of war, civil unrest or terrorism, government action or regulation, disruption to customs systems or government infrastructure, or any other event of circumstance beyond the reasonable control of the CHAMBER.
The CHAMBER will endeavour to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable following the cessation of any such event.
21. Termination
21.1 Termination by the CHAMBER
The CHAMBER may terminate or suspend the EXPORTER's access to the PLATFORM immediately upon notifying the EXPORTER in writing of the reason for termination or suspension. Grounds for termination or suspension include, but are not limited to:
21.2 Termination by the EXPORTER
The EXPORTER may terminate its registration by notifying the CHAMBER in writing. Upon receipt of that notification, the CHAMBER will deactivate the EXPORTER's account. The EXPORTER must also immediately notify the CHAMBER in writing of any person who was previously an authorised user of the EXPORTER's account and is no longer so authorised, so that individual access can be removed.
21.3 Effect of Termination
Following the termination of the EXPORTER's registration for any reason:
22. Amendments and Variation of Terms
The CHAMBER reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.
22.1 Body Amendments
Where an amendment affects the body of these Terms and Conditions, the CHAMBER will notify registered users by email to their registered address. The amended Terms and Conditions will take effect upon the EXPORTER's next login to the PLATFORM, at which point the EXPORTER will be required to accept the updated Terms and Conditions before continuing to use the PLATFORM. Continued use of the PLATFORM following such acceptance constitutes full agreement to the amended terms.
22.2. SCHEDULE Amendments
Where an amendment relates solely to the SCHEDULE of Recognised FTA Regimes, the process in Section 23 applies.
23. Updates to the SCHEDULE of Recognised FTA Regimes
The CHAMBER may update the SCHEDULE from time to time to add, remove, or amend recognised Free Trade Agreement regimes. Where an update relates solely to the SCHEDULE and does not affect the body of these Terms and Conditions, the CHAMBER will notify all registered users of the update by email to the address associated with the PLATFORM account. Continued use of the PLATFORM following the issue of that notification constitutes acceptance of the updated SCHEDULE.
It is the responsibility of the EXPORTER to ensure that the email address associated with its PLATFORM account is current and accurate at all times.
24. General Provisions
24.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the CHAMBER and the EXPORTER with respect to the PLATFORM and services provided through it, and supersede all prior discussions, representations, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to those services.
24.2 Severability
If any provisions of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court or authority of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or where modification is not possible, severed from these Terms and Conditions. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
24.3. No Waiver
If any provisions of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court or authority of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or where modification is not possible, severed from these Terms and Conditions. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
25. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
25.1 Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.
25.2 Dispute Resolution
If any dispute arises between the EXPORTER and the CHAMBER in connection with these Terms and Conditions, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute in accordance with the following process:
Nothing in this clause prevents either party from seeking urgent interlocutory or injunctive relief from a court where necessary to protect its rights.
SCHEDULE — RECOGNISED FTA REGIMES
This SCHEDULE forms part of these Terms and Conditions. It may be updated in accordance with Section 23. Registered users will be notified of any updates by email to their registered address. The specific articles listed below are identified as particular points of attention. They do not limit the EXPORTER's obligation to comply with the entirety of each applicable Free Trade Agreement — see Sections 17.4 and 18.3.
| Free Trade Agreement | Governing Chapter / Rules of Origin | Key Verification Articles | Verification Authority |
| New Zealand - China Free Trade Agreement (NZCFTA) | Chapter 4 (Rules of Origin and Operational Procedures); Section 1, Articles 17-32 | Article 41 - China's customs administration may request verification information from NZ Customs, NZCCI, and exporters/producers. | China Customs Administration; New Zealand Customs Services |
| ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) | Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin); Rules 17 & 18) | Chapter 3, Rules 17 & 18 - Customs Authorities of importing parties may request verification information and/or initiate a verification visit. | Customs Authorities of AANZFTA importing party countries; New Zealand Customs Service |
| Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) | Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin); Article 3.24 | Chapter 3, Article 3.24 - Customs AUthorities of importing parties may request verification information and/or initiate a verification visit | Customs Authorities of RCEP importing party countries; New Zealand Customs Service |