Import tariffs will remain unchanged at 5% and 10% until at least 2015, following a review by Government ministers.
Trade Minister Tim Groser and Commerce Minister Simon Power say the only way tariffs could be cut earlier than 2015 would be if a deal was reached at the world trade talks.
Mr Power says New Zealand, through its free trade agreements, has already eliminated tariffs for imports from Australia and Singapore and will eventually get rid of tariffs on goods from Brunei, Chile, China and Thailand.
Tariff protection against imports from other South-east Asian countries will also eventually disappear as part of the free trade agreement between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand.
Some industries had feared that the review by ministers on what tariffs should be set up beyond 2011 would result in the levies being scrapped altogether.
